Members
The National Governance Association (NGA) describes a Trust’s Members as “the guardians of the governance of the trust.” Their responsibilities are limited but very important. They appoint the trustees and have a legal responsibility to appoint the trust’s auditors. Members meet at least twice a year and can make decisions between meetings in writing.
Trustees
The Trust Board functions as the legal governing body and is ultimately accountable for the performance of all schools within the organisation. They delegate day-to-day management of schools to the Chief Executive Officer and the Operations Team, who carry out important governance and leadership roles. Their core strategic functions are
- Ensuring Clarity of Vision, Ethos, and Strategic Direction
The Board is responsible for setting the long-term ‘road map’ for the Trust. This involves defining the values that underpin its schools, and identifying high-level goals for growth and improvement. Rather than managing the day-to-day operations, Trustees focus on big-picture, such as deciding which schools might join the Trust or how to evolve the educational model to serve pupils more effectively.
2. Holding Executive Leaders to Account
Trustees act as a ‘critical friend’ to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and other senior leaders. They are responsible for monitoring the educational performance of the academies and ensuring that progress is being made toward the Trust's targets. This involves rigorous analysis of data regarding pupil outcomes, staff well-being, and safeguarding. By asking challenging questions, the Board ensures that leadership remains effective and that any underperformance is addressed swiftly.
3. Overseeing Financial Performance and Value for Money
As the Trust is a charitable company, the Board must ensure that public money is handled with the highest standards of probity. They are responsible for approving the budget, overseeing large-scale capital expenditure, and ensuring that the Trust remains solvent. Their goal is to ensure that resources are allocated efficiently to have the maximum positive impact on the pupils’ learning environment.
Academy Community Councils
While the Trustees hold ultimate legal responsibility for the governance of all Elliot Foundation schools, each academy benefits from its own Academy Community Council (ACC). Although ACCs are advisory bodies, with no delegated authority, Councillors play a vital role in connecting each academy, its staff, and its pupils to the wider community. This involvement supports our statutory duty to listen to and work alongside parents, carers, and local stakeholders. Councillors are essential to fostering collaboration and celebrating the achievements of our local communities. Accountability for educational outcomes, budgets, estates, compliance and HR lies with the Principal, Operations Group and Trust Board.
Councillors ensure that parents and carers feel well-informed and have meaningful opportunities to engage in improving the experience of our pupils. Full details regarding decision making are set out in the formal scheme of delegation.
The Board maintains a direct link with these councils through the Company Secretary, who serves as the primary point of contact for governance matters. Chairs of the ACCs meet three times each academic year at a dedicated Chairs’ Forum, facilitating face-to-face feedback that strengthens communication between the local councils and the Trustees.