Who are the Trustees?

Schools and Academies are run by a Trustees working with the Headteacher and Senior Leadership team. The Board of Trustees is made up of parents and co-opted representatives.

Expectations of the Board of Trustees

The Trustees are the strategic leaders of our schools and have a vital role to play in making sure every child gets the best possible education. This is reflected in the law, which states that the purpose of school/academy Board of Trustees is to ‘conduct the school with a view to promoting high standards of educational achievement at the school’.

The DfE Governance Handbook for governors in schools, academies and free schools is a key document for Trustees and highlights their roles and responsibilities.

In all types of schools, Trustees should have a strong focus on three core strategic functions:

• ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction, and
• holding the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the performance management of staff, and
• overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.

These functions are reflected in regulations for School Governance (Roles, Procedures and Allowances) (England) Regulations 2013.  For Academy Trusts the requirements and restrictions are set out in detail in the Article of Association.  Ofsted inspectors also judge the effectiveness of a school's Board of Trustees.

The Board of Trustees structure can be seen below

Trustees attendance at Committee meetings can be seen below

Academy remit for Committee meetings

Further information about the role of Trustees