How Our Governance Works

At Exceed Academies Trust, we believe that strong governance helps every school provide the best education for its pupils. Our governance structure has three layers, each playing an important role in supporting and challenging our schools:

Members

Members make sure the Trust is staying true to its charitable purpose and aims. They hold the Trustees to account and appoint most of the Trustees who sit on the Trust Board.

Trustees (Directors)

The Board of Trustees is responsible for the overall strategic direction and performance of all schools in the Trust. Working closely with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Trustees make key decisions and ensure the Trust’s resources are used effectively to benefit pupils. Trustees also appoint all governors across our schools.

Local Governors

Local governors focus on what’s happening in their individual school. Working with the Headteacher, they support and challenge the school’s leadership to make sure pupils receive a high-quality education and the school continues to improve.

The Trust Board and Committees

Exceed Academies Trust is a charitable company limited by guarantee. This means the Board of Trustees (who are also company Directors) is legally responsible for the performance of all schools in the Trust and for how public funds are spent.

To carry out this work effectively, the Trustees delegate some responsibilities to committees. Each school has its own Local Advisory Board (LAB), which keeps a close eye on the school’s day-to-day performance. In some cases, an Interim Trust Appointed Governance Board (TAGB) may be put in place instead of a LAB.

The Board also has specialist committees, such as the Finance Committee and the Risk and Audit Committee, to oversee key areas of Trust business.

Local Advisory Boards

Each LAB is made up of people who bring different perspectives and skills. Some governors are appointed by the Trustees, while others are elected by parents, carers, or staff. A typical LAB includes:

• A representative of the Trust
• The Headteacher or Executive Headteacher
• Two Parent Governors
• Two Staff Governors
• Three Co-opted Governors (people from the community or with relevant experience)

This mix of voices helps ensure that each school benefits from both local knowledge and Trust-wide expertise.

Find Out More

• You can read more about our Trust Members in the Our Team – Trust Members section.

• An overview of our Trustees is available in the Our Team – Trustees/Directors section.

• Key governance policies and documents are available in the Trust Policies and Statutory Documents section.

If you’d like to contact the Chair of Trustees, please email our Governance Manager, Peter Taylor, at info@exceedacademiestrust.co.uk.