Governance Structure

At Acorn Multi Academy Trust, effective governance with robust oversight and assurance enables confident, high-quality leadership. Our governance structures bring rigour, challenge and accountability.

Those involved in our governance at all levels share a common objective - a determination to secure the best possible life chances for the children and young people in our care.

Members, Directors/Trustees and Local Governors give their time voluntarily and do not receive any payment. Their wide- ranging skills and experience support our leadership teams to deliver excellence. They provide strategic leadership and accountability across our family of academies. 

They all share a passion to provide the best possible education for the community. We recognise these individuals as being absolutely key to the effectiveness of our academies and our trust as a whole.

Our Members, Directors and Local Governors abide by the Seven Principles of Public Life which are: Selflessness; Integrity; Objectivity; Accountability; Openness; Honesty and Leadership.

Members

Members are accountable to the DfE and have ultimate responsibility for the Trust achieving its charitable objectives. The primary function of the Members is to oversee the proper and effective operation of the Board of Trustees.

The Members' Board meets three times a year.  

Click here to see details of our Members

Directors

Directors (also known as Trustees) set the strategic direction for the MAT and are accountable to the Secretary of State for the performance of the schools within it. 

As charity trustees, they must also ensure that they are complying with charity and company law requirements. High calibre directors are appointed for their skills, knowledge or experience as needed by the Board.

The core functions of the role are ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction of the trust; holding executive leaders to account for the performance of the schools, pupils and staff; overseeing the financial performance of the trust and making sure its public money is well spent. They are responsible for determining the overall strategic direction and development of the trust through good governance and clear strategic planning.

Acorn Trust Board of Directors has two standing committees: Finance & Audit and Pay & Performance.

The Scheme of Delegation sets out the delegated powers between the different bodies involved in the governance and operation of the Multi Academy Trust and member academies. It is the key document defining which functions within the Multi Academy Trust have been delegated and to whom. 

In the interests of transparent and accountable governance, we are required by law to publish the following information about our Board of Directors.

Trust Board of Directors - click Here

Brian Impey - Chair of Directors 

Acorn Academy, The Old Tool Office, Chard Street, Axminster, EX13 5EB.

Email: clerk@acornacademy.org