Governance

Each AET Academy has its own Governing Body with representatives from the local authority, parents, staff and the community – as well as governors appointed by the AET.

In Secondary Academies, two pupils are elected as associate governors; in Primary Academies, members of the governing body will meet regularly with the Student Council. The Headteacher of the Academy is responsible to the Governing Body and, together with the Senior Leadership Team, will ensure that the Academy achieves high standards for its pupils and is financially sound.

The AET with the Governing Body and leadership team of each Academy sets the standards for its Academies, in agreement with the DfE, and will ensure that these are met. Each Governing Body monitors improvement of its Academy and is accountable to the Board of the Academies Enterprise Trust. The AET’s Chief Executive Officer is responsible to
the AET Board and DfE for the overall improvement in performance of each Academy. Details of accountabilities across the AET are set out in an Accountabilities Framework.

The key duties of the AET Board are to appoint Headteachers, develop strategic policy, approve budgets and monitor and evaluate the progress and standards of all AET Academies. This means that whilst the Headteacher and Governing Body are well placed to use their local knowledge to lead the Academy, they also have the expertise of the AET Board to support them with their shared experience and knowledge of best practice and educational vision.