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Closing:
5:00pm, 20th Nov 2026 GMT
About us
Oak National Academy is an independent public body, funded by the Department for Education (DfE). We help teachers teach a high-quality curriculum and cut the time they spend planning lessons. Teachers across England use our free, fully sequenced, teacher-made resources, aligned to the national curriculum. We also build AI tools for teachers, including Aila, our AI lesson assistant.
Our mission is to improve pupil outcomes and close the disadvantage gap by supporting teachers to teach and enabling pupils to access a high-quality curriculum.
Why join us
This is a rare chance to gain committee experience in a national public body that's still small enough for your contribution to shape what it does. You'll:
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see how a lean EdTech organisation works at national scale, from curriculum design to product and AI decisions
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learn first-hand how government and the DfE sponsor, fund and hold a public body to account
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work alongside experienced leaders from education, technology and public governance
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build governance experience that sets you up for future board and trustee roles
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see your expertise shape resources used in classrooms every day
This could be your first committee role. If you bring the expertise, we'll help you build the governance experience.
Our committees
Our committees support the Board in carrying out its functions. They make sure governance and compliance arrangements work well, give strategic support and challenge, and monitor results and impact. They're an essential part of how we achieve our strategic aims.
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Finance, Audit and Risk Committee: oversees our financial management, risk control and internal audit, and makes sure we follow public sector financial rules and value-for-money principles.
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Remuneration and HR Committee: oversees our pay and benefits, making sure our remuneration policies are transparent, fair and in line with public sector guidelines.
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Curriculum Committee: makes sure our curriculum and resources improve educational outcomes and help close the disadvantage gap.
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Product Committee: oversees the strategy, development and delivery of our digital products, making sure our platforms and resources are innovative, user-focused and aligned with our mission.
Responsibilities
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Attend and actively contribute to at least three virtual committee meetings a year, providing informed input based on your area of expertise.
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Work effectively with other committee members to support the team to deliver against our strategic goals.
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Monitor performance against agreed targets and provide support, advice and challenge to the executive team on their delivery.
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Ensure committees operate within the limits of their authority, in accordance with the Nolan Principles and the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies, and abide by the conditions relating to the use of public funds. This includes being seen as politically impartial and considering conflicts of interest.
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Ensure high standards of corporate governance are observed at all times and that we remain compliant with our statutory, legal and regulatory obligations.
Knowledge, skills and experience
You'll ideally have a proven track record in at least one of these areas:
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evidence-based curriculum and/or pedagogy
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teaching or school leadership
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special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)
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digital, technology or AI
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people, HR and culture
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commercial
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legal
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executive leadership
You'll also bring:
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the ability to make strategic, evidence-based decisions by drawing on and applying the latest information or research
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exceptional communication skills to build effective relationships at senior level and between organisations
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the ability to drive forward the work of an organisation at non-executive level, with a successful track record in the public, voluntary or private sector of ensuring strategic objectives are achieved
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demonstrated commitment to the values of public service, including the ethical use of public funds
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experience and knowledge that will contribute to the functioning of a committee
Above all, we're looking for good judgement on governance, risk and statutory compliance, a clear eye on performance, and the diligence and integrity that public service asks of all of us.
Where we'd especially value your expertise
Our current gaps are SEND and people and culture, so we'd especially like to hear from you if you bring either. We still want to hear from everyone with relevant expertise. We'll be recruiting to our Board with the DfE soon, and other opportunities will come up. With your permission, we'll keep your details on file and get in touch when they do.
How to apply
Upload your CV and a letter of interest. In your letter, tell us about the expertise you'd bring, which committee interests you, and whether you'd like us to consider you for future Board or committee roles.
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Closing date: Friday 20 November 2026
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Interviews: late November through to mid-December 2026
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Appointments confirmed: by the end of January 2027, subject to Secretary of State approval
We welcome applicants from every background. Our committees need to reflect the society we serve.