Primary Advocates

Dartmoor Multi Academy Trust runs an Advocate model across their primary schools. Advocates attend the Primary Advocacy Board which has two committees named Granite and Tor and the primary schools within the Trust are grouped together.

Volunteering as a school advocate is a rewarding experience for you and the local community.

You will join a group of like minded individuals who share the same vision, to provide children with the best possible learning environment and to flourish. Your influence in school governance will help to drive school improvement and ensure a high-quality education for children in our community.

Who can become a school advocate?

If you are aged 18 and over and are not a staff member of Dartmoor Multi Academy Trust, then you can apply to be an advocate. There is no experience or formal training required to become an advocate and you do not need in-depth knowledge of education. Induction and safeguarding training will be given.

Volunteers who accept an advocate role will need an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Advocate roles and responsibilities

  • Pupil/Parent Advocate – elected by parents this role will seek assurance that the Trust is achieving its mission and that pupils are listened to, feel safe in school and are successful learners. Their role is also to triangulate stakeholder voice from pupils and parents.
  • Community Advocate – appointed by the Trust Board this role seeks assurance that the school engages positively with its key stakeholders and local community, works closely with the PTA/Friends of School associations that exist within our schools and to capture stakeholder voice from staff and the wider community.
  • Foundation Advocate – appointed by the Diocese this role will be able articulate the church schools’ within the Trust Christian vision with passion and recent, relevant, practical illustration and to support the development and implementation of the Christian vision and values across school.

What does being an Advocate involve?

Advocates work in partnership with school leaders and trustees on the Primary Advocacy Board and are expected to visit the school on a termly basis and meet with pupils, staff and the school community to look at information, evidence progress and most importantly listen to views. Checklists for visits are provided and online reports are submitted three times a year which are shared with the Primary Advocacy Board for review.  Actions will be taken and distributed accordingly. 

Advocates are required to visit their school a minimum of once a term (3 visits), attend the 4 x Primary Advocacy Board meetings which take place online via Teams and attend an annual governance day (in-person).

Interested in becoming a Primary Advocate?

If you are able to give your time and attention to transforming the future of children in your local community then we would love to hear from you.  Email to arrange an informal conversation.

Archived Local Stakeholder Board Minutes