At a glance

Skills

Strategic mentoring / coaching
Mentoring / Coaching

Where

An ATLP school based in Erdington, West Coventry, Lichfield, Sutton Coldfield or Tamworth, B23 7PX

Mainly at home

Time

Either in or out of office hours Estimate of time needed:
0-5 hours / month Approx 20-40 hours per annum, with meetings taking place primarily in early evenings

Deadline

30 Jun 2025

Visitors from Fifth Day

Welcome to Reach Volunteering. We are a community and registered charity that connects people, skills and good causes.

To apply for this role, and any other on our platform, you need to be based in the UK, have at least three years of experience using the skills you wish to volunteer in a professional capacity or have lived experience (for trustee roles). Read more about our criteria.

Roleswithin the ATLP's governance network - redefining governance at the local school and trust-wide levels

What will you be doing?

The Arthur Terry Learning Partnership is seeking to appoint four dedicated, self-motivated and talented advocates for each of its 19 schools within the Trust. Each individual will have specific responsibilities in one of the following areas: Safeguarding, Vulnerable Children, Community engagement, Support and Challenge.

The Support & Challenge Advocate will:

Support headteachers to be great leaders.
Monitor the impact of Trust practice at local level:
Champion the ATLP vision & culture within the school.
Review school progress & strategic priorities.
Ensure the school is putting the children at the heart of everything they do.
Monitor the implementation of ‘One Trust’ with equality of opportunity across Hub Schools.
Act as a first point of contact for other parents with raising issues or concerns with Trust or school issues.
Act as an escalation avenue for other Advocates to raise matters with headteachers or Trust Board if there are unresolvable concerns.
Build a professional relationship with the headteacher; Offer support & challenge, act as a sounding board and support both their wellbeing and continued learning.
Participate in the headteacher’s performance review & support CPD
Support the delivery of specific trust policies and procedures relating to Complaints, Disciplinary and Pay appeals.

What are we looking for?

A commitment to maintaining the ethos and values of the ATLP to work to ensure that all ATLP schools can meet the needs of their communities
A commitment to high standards of probity and the ability to operate in accordance with the ATLP Governance Handbook, Code of Conduct, the Nolan Principles and legislative requirements
Strong verbal & written communication skills
Relationship building skills
Awareness of local community interests and objectives
Experience/ability to work in an advisory role within a framework of collective decision-making in the best interests of a school/s and Trust
Analytical and problem solving skills
A commitment to equality and diversity

What difference will you make?

In joining the ATLP as an Advocate, you may liaise and directly represent a single school, or a group of schools. Each school in the ATLP is unique and serves a distinct community. Advocates in each role will come together regularly in the form of advocate committees, where each advocate will represent the unique voice of their school/s and communities with trustees and executives to be included and considered in decision-making processes and forums. This is a shift away from traditional local governance in schools, and seeks to help the ATLP retain a balance of strong community ethos and a proactive engagement with local voice alongside the ATLP organisational identity.

Before you apply

It would also be really helpful to have an understanding from candidates of the following:

Do you have an existing relationship with any of our school/s – if so please can you explain (parent, current/former student, employment, supplier or related to someone who does etc)?
Will you be available to visit the school at least termly, during school hours in order to see the school operationally and share your observations with the Board as part of ongoing assurance processes? (please note – employers are obliged to offer staff time off for school governance duties)
Do you have an enhanced DBS certificate and are you on the DBS update service? If no we will arrange one for you.

About The Arthur Terry Learning Partnership

Causes

Children / families

Education

Organisation type:

Educational body

The Arthur Terry Learning Partnership (ATLP) believes that every child has the right to be a powerful learner. Our schools are connected by a strong moral commitment to provide accessible,...

Support and Challenge Advocate at ATLP Schools