Trustee with Premises/Buildings Experience

BOARD MEMBER: BUILDING AND PREMISES

Dublin Steiner School background

Dublin Steiner School was founded by parents seeking an educational alternative. 

An independent Waldorf school based in the historic inner-city Liberties neighbourhood, our kindergarten was first established in 2009. In response to community demand, we enrolled the first children into our primary school in 2017.

Since then, that demand has continued to grow. With enrolments for our kindergarten outstripping the number of available places, we now teach children across seven grades in our primary school, with student numbers growing. 

We are a community-funded non-profit organisation. Through the energy of staff and volunteers, we have established a vibrant school with a committed community, in a sustainable business model. Our challenge now is to continue this growth in a sustainable way and reach our full potential as a model Waldorf school in the centre of Dublin, showing that an alternative approach to education is possible.

The board of trustees is the governing body of the school, with responsibility for the oversight of Dublin Steiner School as a charitable organisation. The board’s primary role is to act in the best interests of the school and to safeguard the school’s purpose, which is to deliver Waldorf education to children. Trustees are unpaid and work on a voluntary basis.

You can read more about Waldorf education here and more about our school at dublinsteiner.com.

Role background

We have almost completed a major construction project to secure, strengthen and renovate part of our historic building at 92 Meath Street (its 200th birthday is next year!). A vacancy is now arising for a trustee with skills relevant to the oversight of our building and campus. This trustee will lead the development and maintenance of our premises in the next phase.

Role summary

The specific aim of this role is to support the growth of the school by ensuring sufficient, safe and supportive space and facilities for the needs of children, staff and families.

This role has a specific brief to:

• Help shape our building strategy to accommodate school growth, as part of our overall school vision and strategic plan
• Scope, formulate and work to implement maintenance and development work where necessary
• Liaise with architects and other contractors as required
• Be conscious of grant and other funding opportunities
• Provide a point of contact for school staff for building and maintenance matters

As part of the board, each trustee has a responsibility to:

• Set overall strategy, with the aim of continuing the growth of the school and guarding against risk
• Support school management and staff in fulfilling the school’s charitable purpose
• Ensure that the school complies with all relevant legislation
• Ensure that the financial assets of the charity are managed responsibly and guarded against undue risk
• Act in the best interests of the school at all times, while exercising independent judgement

More information on the role and legal responsibilities of a charity trustee can be found here. 

Board meetings

The Dublin Steiner School Board of Trustees meets monthly, currently on the second Thursday of each month and typically with a break in July. Meetings are currently held in person at the school premises on Meath Street.