INTRODUCTION

This document lays out the governance structures for the Sapientia Education Trust (‘the Trust’).

The Trust is ultimately accountable to the Department for Education for the effective and efficient performance of all the schools within the Trust and is governed by a Board of Trustees who have statutory responsibility for governance. MEMBERS AND TRUSTEES

Membership of the Trust Board is in accordance with the funding agreement the College signed with the Secretary of State in March 2016 when the Trust was established. A breakdown of the Members and Trustees is as follows:

Members: there are five Members, one of whom is also a Trustee.

Trustees: there are nine Trustees, one of whom is also a Member. One Trustee is employed by the Trust, that person being the Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

MEETINGS, BOARD COMMITTEE AND LOCAL GOVERNING BODY

The Board meets at least twice termly, including once in December each year for the Annual General Meeting.

The Trust Board has established the following Sub-Committees:

· Audit and Risk

· Boarding

· Finance

· Human Resources and Remuneration

· Infrastructure

· Education (Primary and Secondary)

· Compliance

Trustees make up the majority membership of each Committee in accordance with the Academy Trust Handbook. Committee membership is shown on the SET website.

COMPLIANCE

The Board of Trustees have a programme of compliance as follows:

· External Review of Governance

· Annual external audit of accounts.

· Internal Audit programme carried out by professional auditor.

· External Quality of Assurance (QA) of education throughout the school year.