A guide to the key qualities of a school trust board member.
It is intended to assist prospective trustees and trusts looking to recruit board members, and so focuses on the general qualities for trustees rather than specific tasks or specialised knowledge that may be developed whilst in post.
In addition to the trustee role, it includes an overview of designated or link trustee roles for safeguarding, special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), educational outcomes, finance, staffing and performance, and careers.
We have a separate specific role description for trust chairs.
Updated July 2026.
Resource
Board governance
Careers education
Financial management
People and culture
Performance data
Safeguarding
Special educational needs
Strategic governance
