Join the team
We believe education should open doors. At Day One Trust, our schools combine rigour, creativity and innovation to prepare young people for bright futures. Join our team and help make it happen.
We are recruiting for four voluntary governance roles: two Chairs of Governors and two co-opted members of the Trust's Finance, Audit, Operations & Risk Committee.
Open roles
Our governors and committee members are volunteers who give their time and expertise to guide the Trust and its schools. Select a role to read the full job pack.
A Chair of Governors leads the Local Governing Body of one of our schools, working closely with the Principal and the Trust CEO. A co-opted committee member brings specialist expertise to the Finance, Audit, Operations & Risk Committee and is not a trustee.
London Screen Academy
Chair of Governors
Voluntary · Highbury, London · Four-year term · From January 2027
Lead the governing body of an Outstanding film and TV sixth form into its next phase.
LSA students gathered on the school rooftop with the London skyline behind
A word from the Chair
“After seven rewarding years as Chair of Governors, I am preparing to hand on the role to a new Chair who can build on the academy’s strong foundations and continued success. You do not need to come from a film or creative background. What matters most is your commitment to education, strong governance and empowering young people to achieve their potential.”
Tim Bevan CBE, Chair, Day One Trust
Role details
- Location
- Highbury, London
- Term
- Four years
- Time commitment
- Four Governing Body meetings a year, regular meetings with the Principal between cycles, key academy events and showcases, and occasional industry and fundraising engagement
- Remuneration
- Voluntary. Reasonable expenses are reimbursed
About LSA
LSA was created to build on the achievements of the UK film and TV industry, making sure there is a strong pipeline of diverse talent. With its specialist curriculum and close industry links, LSA gives students the skills and experience they need to excel in screen storytelling and production.
About the role
As Chair of Governors, you will provide strategic leadership to the Governing Body of London Screen Academy, ensuring strong oversight, clear direction and long-term sustainability. You will work in close partnership with the Principal and the CEO of the Trust to:
- Safeguard LSA’s vision and values
- Champion high standards in education, safeguarding and student outcomes
- Strengthen LSA’s influence within the screen and creative industries
- Support the academy’s growth, partnerships and long-term financial resilience
This role is outward facing. You will act as an ambassador for LSA, advocating for inclusive access to the screen industries and supporting communications and fundraising, working alongside the Screen Academy Foundation.
Who we are looking for
- Senior leadership or board-level experience
- Strong strategic judgement and the ability to hold others to account constructively
- Credibility and networks within the creative, cultural or related sectors
- A commitment to widening participation and inclusive opportunity
- Confidence representing LSA publicly with industry partners and stakeholders
- Sound financial awareness and an understanding of governance responsibilities
You will be collaborative, values-driven and comfortable balancing support and challenge. A background in education is welcome but not essential.
How to apply
Email clerk@dayonetrust.co.uk to find out more and how to apply.
East London Arts & Music
Chair of Governors
Voluntary · Bromley-by-Bow, London · Four-year term · From September 2027
Lead the governing body of an Outstanding music, games and film sixth form in East London.
ELAM students performing live as a band on stage
Role details
- Location
- Bromley-by-Bow, London
- Term
- Four years, starting September 2027 after a handover period
- Time commitment
- Four Governing Body meetings a year, regular meetings with the Headteacher between cycles, key school events and showcases, and occasional industry and fundraising engagement
- Remuneration
- Voluntary. Reasonable expenses are reimbursed
About ELAM
Originally established with a focus on music, ELAM has expanded to include games design and film, reflecting the breadth of opportunity in the creative industries. Students thrive in an environment that combines high expectations with industry expertise, preparing them for exciting careers in creative fields.
Our current Chair completes their term in summer 2027. We are looking for a successor who can build on ELAM’s success, with time for a handover before taking up the role.
About the role
As Chair of Governors, you will provide strategic leadership to ELAM’s Local Governing Body, ensuring strong oversight, clear direction and long-term sustainability. You will work in close partnership with the Headteacher and the CEO of the Trust to:
- Safeguard ELAM’s vision, values and industry-led ethos
- Champion high standards in education, safeguarding and student outcomes
- Strengthen ELAM’s relationships across the music, games and film industries
- Support the school’s growth, partnerships and long-term financial resilience
You will also be an ambassador for ELAM, advocating for inclusive access to the creative industries and supporting fundraising and partnerships alongside the Screen Academy Foundation.
Who we are looking for
- Senior leadership or board-level experience
- Strong strategic judgement and the ability to hold others to account constructively
- Credibility and networks within music, games, film or the wider creative and cultural sectors
- A commitment to widening participation and inclusive opportunity
- Confidence representing ELAM publicly with industry partners and stakeholders
- Sound financial awareness and an understanding of governance responsibilities
You will be collaborative, values-driven and comfortable balancing support and challenge. A background in education is welcome but not essential.
How to apply
Email clerk@dayonetrust.co.uk to find out more and how to apply.
Day One Trust · FAOR Committee
Committee Member: IT, Cyber Security & AI
Voluntary · Co-opted, non-trustee · Termly meetings · London / online
Bring digital, cyber and AI expertise to the committee that oversees the Trust’s finances, operations and risk.
An ELAM student editing on a computer in the media suite
Role details
- Committee
- Finance, Audit, Operations & Risk, Day One Trust
- Role type
- Co-opted committee member (not a trustee)
- Location
- London, with some meetings online
- Time commitment
- One committee meeting each term, plus preparation and occasional advice between meetings
- Term
- Up to four years
- Remuneration
- Voluntary. Reasonable expenses are reimbursed
About the committee
The Finance, Audit, Operations & Risk (FAOR) Committee works on behalf of the Day One Trust board across both of our schools, ELAM and LSA. It scrutinises financial performance, internal and external audit, operational resilience and the Trust’s risk register, and reports to the trustees.
Co-opted committee members are appointed for their specialist expertise. They are full voting members of the committee but are not trustees of the Trust.
About the role
Our students are creators working in technology, games, music and film, so our systems, data and devices are central to everything we do. You will help the committee ask the right questions and give trustees confidence that the Trust is secure, resilient and using technology well. You will:
- Provide challenge and support on the Trust’s IT strategy, infrastructure and investment
- Oversee cyber security and resilience, including incident response, backup and recovery, and alignment with the DfE digital and technology standards
- Help the committee scrutinise data protection and information governance risks
- Advise on the safe, ethical and effective use of AI across teaching, learning and operations
- Contribute to the digital and cyber entries on the Trust’s risk register
Who we are looking for
- Senior experience in IT leadership, cyber security, information security or AI, gained in any sector
- The ability to translate technical risk into clear questions and recommendations for non-specialists
- An understanding of governance and the difference between oversight and operational management
- Sound judgement, discretion and a collaborative approach
- A commitment to education and to widening access to creative and technical careers
Experience in education is welcome but not essential.
How to apply
Email clerk@dayonetrust.co.uk to find out more and how to apply.
Day One Trust · FAOR Committee
Committee Member: School Buildings & Premises
Voluntary · Co-opted, non-trustee · Termly meetings · London / online
Bring estates and premises expertise to the committee that oversees the Trust’s finances, operations and risk.
Students exploring a finished film set built in an LSA studio
Role details
- Committee
- Finance, Audit, Operations & Risk, Day One Trust
- Role type
- Co-opted committee member (not a trustee)
- Location
- London, with some meetings online
- Time commitment
- One committee meeting each term, plus preparation and occasional site visits
- Term
- Up to four years
- Remuneration
- Voluntary. Reasonable expenses are reimbursed
About the committee
The Finance, Audit, Operations & Risk (FAOR) Committee works on behalf of the Day One Trust board across both of our schools, ELAM and LSA. It scrutinises financial performance, internal and external audit, operational resilience and the Trust’s risk register, and reports to the trustees.
Co-opted committee members are appointed for their specialist expertise. They are full voting members of the committee but are not trustees of the Trust.
About the role
Our schools run professional-standard studios, stages and production spaces in East and North London. Keeping these buildings safe, compliant and fit for the future is a major responsibility. You will:
- Provide challenge and support on the Trust’s estates strategy and long-term premises planning
- Oversee statutory compliance, including health and safety, fire safety and building condition
- Scrutinise capital projects, maintenance programmes and funding bids
- Advise on making the best use of specialist creative spaces as the Trust grows
- Help the committee consider sustainability and energy efficiency across our sites
- Contribute to the estates entries on the Trust’s risk register
Who we are looking for
- Senior experience in estates, facilities management, property, surveying, construction or a related field
- Knowledge of building compliance and managing capital projects
- An understanding of governance and the difference between oversight and operational management
- Sound judgement and the confidence to ask searching questions
- A commitment to education and to young people’s access to the creative industries
Experience of school or public-sector estates is welcome but not essential.
How to apply
Email clerk@dayonetrust.co.uk to find out more and how to apply.
Everyone welcome
Our students come from every background, and our boards should too. We particularly welcome applications from younger candidates and from people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, who are under-represented in school governance. No previous governance experience is needed for committee roles, and we provide induction and training.
Safer recruitment
What to expect if you apply
Email clerk@dayonetrust.co.uk to find out more about a role and how to apply; the Clerk can answer any questions first.
Shortlisted candidates are invited to an interview in person. Successful candidates are appointed subject to the safer recruitment checks below, and we provide induction and training.
Our safeguarding commitment
Day One Trust and its schools are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All candidates go through a rigorous selection process designed to identify unsuitable applicants.
Disclosure and DBS checks
These roles involve access to children, so appointment is subject to an enhanced DBS check. Before appointment you will be asked to disclose any convictions, cautions or bind-overs that are not protected under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013 and 2020).
A criminal record will not necessarily prevent appointment. Guidance on what to disclose is on the Ministry of Justice website.
Interview, references and online checks
Shortlisted candidates are interviewed in person and asked to explain any gaps or discrepancies in their CV or references. We take up references for shortlisted candidates before interview and, in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education, carry out online searches on shortlisted candidates.
Work with us
There are no open positions in the Day One Trust central team at the moment.
Interested in supporting Day One Trust, ELAM or LSA as a volunteer, governor or trustee in the future? Email the Clerk and we will be in touch.