Department: School and College – Day and Residential (for SEND students aged 5–25 years)

Location: The Sheiling Ringwood, Horton Road, Ringwood, Hampshire, BH24 2EB

Role Type: Voluntary

Time Commitment: 5 x term-time Board meetings per year, each lasting ½ a day, generally on a Friday afternoon. 1 x whole day Strategy Day each Spring.  Additional membership of a committee/workgroup (approx 12 hours per year) plus additional time for onsite visits and reading supporting documentation in preparation for meetings.

Salary: This is a voluntary role but reasonable travel expenses can be claimed. Lunch/refreshments are provided at each Board meeting.

Closing Date: 7^th March 2026

Interview Date: TBC between candidates and the Chair and Principal

Start Date: To be confirmed

The Sheiling Special Education Trust (SSET) comprises The Sheiling Ringwood which is an independent, day and residential school and college for approximately 70 young people aged 5-25 years with complex, moderate and severe learning difficulties. Sheiling School was established in 1951 and Sheiling College was created in 2012. We are situated on a beautiful 45-acre woodland site on the Dorset/Hampshire border between the New Forest and Bournemouth beaches.

We are currently seeking a Trustee to join the Board of Trustees to complement the expertise already existing within our active and committed Board, preferably with some experience in one of the areas of SEND education, residential care, law, finance or business.

The post is a voluntary position and SSET Trustees are both charity Trustees and company directors.

Trustees focus on the following core functions of governance:

• Setting and reviewing strategic aims and performance indicators
• Raising standards by establishing high expectations for education and residential houses
• Promoting effective teaching and learning
• Overseeing the quality of residential provision (in line with RSS NMS)

Ideally, you must:

• Have a desire to play a part in improving our SEND provision via accountable, effective and ethical governance
• Be willing to build an open relationship with the students and staff and work closely and collaboratively with the Principal and Senior Management Team (SMT) to achieve outstanding outcomes across the organisation
• Be willing to give around 15-20 hours per term (circa 55 hours per year) to attend meetings, visit the site and attend training sessions

What can you expect in return?

• An opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of children and young adults with SEND
• Professional development in governance and strategic leadership
• The chance to apply your expertise in a meaningful context
• Collaboration with a committed team of professionals and fellow Trustees

If you feel you are such a person, as a first step, please email your application form to the Executive Assistant to the Principal & Clerk to the Trustees, Sharon MacLennan, via sharon.maclennan@thesheilingringwood.co.uk

Sharon will also be able to provide some first-hand information regarding the role and, if appropriate, will be able to arrange an initial informal meeting with the Chair of the Board and/or the Principal so that you can learn more about the position before making any commitment.