How are School Trusts Led?
Trust-Level Leadership - Executive Team
This group oversees all schools within the MAT.
a) CEO (Chief Executive Officer)
The CEO is the leader of the Trust, responsible for the education of all the young people in the Trust’s academies.
They lead the Executive Team of the Trust, ensuring the Trust and all its schools are successful over time in a sustainable way.
They ensure that the Trust provides high quality education for all its pupils through the effective and efficient use of resources and people.
The CEO represents the Trust with a wide range of stakeholders and partners, for example, government bodies such as the DfE and Ofsted.
They are the Accounting Officer for the Trust, responsible for ensuring the Trust meets its statutory and legal requirements.
They report to the Board of Trustees.
b) Deputy CEO (Director of People & Operations)
Supports the CEO and deputises for them.
Oversees non-academic operations, such as HR, estates management, IT, and legal compliance.
c) CFO (Chief Financial Officer)
- Manages the financial health of the MAT, including budgeting, funding, and compliance.
- Ensures financial efficiency and adherence to the Academy Trust Handbook.
d) Chief Education Officer
Ensures every pupil achieves more than expected through excellence and consistent trust-wide systems, with a sharp focus on SEND and disadvantaged pupils.
School-Level Leadership (Individual Schools)
Each academy within the Trust has its own leadership team, reporting to both the Trust Executive Team and the local governing body.
a) Headteacher
- Leads the school’s day-to-day operations.
- Reports to the Chief Education Officer.
- Accountable for academic performance and leadership of the school.
b) Deputy Headteachers
- Support the Headteacher and deputise for them.
- Often have specific responsibilities, e.g., Pastoral Care or Teaching & Learning.
c) Assistant Headteachers
- Often focus on specific areas like SEND, assessment, behaviour or curriculum.
