GOVERNANCE AT TOWERS SCHOOL AND SIXTH FORM CENTRE

Towers School and Sixth Form Centre has operated as a Single Academy Trust since 2011.  In accordance with advice given to academy schools by the Department for Education, those who govern the school are known as “Trustees”.  The Academy Trust is registered at Companies House and is a registered charity.

Individual Trustees belong to the Board of Trustees and are akin to “directors” of the Academy Trust.  The Trustees deliver the three core strategic functions, common to all school governance, of:

• Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction.
• Holding the Principal and Senior Leadership Team to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and performance management of staff; and
• Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.

 The Board of Trustees also ensure compliance with company and charity law and compliance with the Trust’s funding agreement with the Secretary of State.

While the Board of Trustees is responsible for the strategic direction of the school, the Trustees are generally appointed, and may be dismissed, by the Trust Members (also known as “Members of the Academy Trust”).  The Trust Members are akin to “shareholders” of the Academy Trust.  They have a (limited) financial liability and subscribe to the Memorandum of Association.

The Board of Trustees consists of up to 10 appointed Trustees (including 2 Staff Trustees nominated by the staff, plus the Principal) and a minimum of 2 Parent Trustees (directly elected by parents).  The usual term of office for a Trustee is 4 years.

The Board of Trustees meet at least six times annually, in each term, and more regularly if necessary.  Where it is appropriate to do so, the Trustees may delegate their powers to specific sub-committees or the Principal.

Apply to become a Trustee 

You can apply to become a Trustee by writing to the school, marked for the attention of the Chair of Trustees.