Chapter One Trustee

About Chapter One UK
Chapter One (U.K.) Ltd is a registered charity established in 2018 as Innovations for Learning. In February 2023, the organisation rebranded and renamed to Chapter One. Chapter One’s governing document defines its charitable objects as ‘to advance education for the benefit of the public in particular (but without limitation) in the field of literacy’. 

We currently support children attending schools serving disadvantaged communities in Bradford/Leeds, Doncaster, East Sussex, Edinburgh, Glasgow, London, Manchester, Middlesbrough, Peterborough and West Cumbria. We are expanding to Birmingham in 2024-25.

Why join the Chapter One board?
At Chapter One, we want to create a world where all children have the literacy skills needed to thrive. That’s why we want to bring one-to-one reading support to children from less advantaged communities at the time they need it most. It’s the combination of technology our programmes use, and the personal, human connection between a caring adult and a child that we enable, that sets us apart. 

It’s an exciting time to join us and help shape our future direction. We have grown rapidly since our inception in 2018 and are already making a difference to the lives of nearly 3,000 disadvantaged, struggling young readers in England and Scotland. We are keen to expand the diversity of thought and experience on our Board to help Chapter One ensure that its proven, scalable solutions can help thousands of children create the “first chapter” of their own success story. Like all good books, with Chapter One, the best is yet to come.

Chapter One Trustee Role Description

Being a trustee of Chapter One will require you to: 

• Work with fellow trustees to shape, drive and monitor Chapter One’s strategy
• Prepare for and participate fully in board meetings, including occasional joint meetings with the US and Canadian Boards
• Act reasonably in decision making and leadership of the organisation
• Support Chapter One’s CEO and leadership team
• Ensure the proper governance, management and administration of the charity
• Monitor, manage and mitigate risks with a considered, proportionate and balanced approach
• Use any specific skills, knowledge or experience you have to help the board of trustees reach quick and sound decision by leading discussions, focusing on key issues, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives, or other issues in which the trustee has expertise
• Promote the work of Chapter One externally
• Participate in sub-committees, if required
   

Our Board skills audit has identified gaps in skills, experience or knowledge in the following areas:

• Education, especially KS1 and KS2 
• Digital/Technology

Trustee application, selection and induction
We currently have trustee vacancies to fill and are operating a rolling recruitment process. We have two priority recruitment areas - Education and Digital - and we have developed specific role descriptions. 

To see the full Trustee recruitment pack and how to apply, please register your interest below.