Governance Structure of Sussex Learning Trust

The Board of Trustees of Sussex Learning Trust (SLT), as a Multi-Academy Trust (MAT), serve dual roles as company directors under company law and as charity trustees under charity law. They hold overall responsibility for exercising the powers and duties of the Trust. The Board is accountable to the Trust’s Members, as well as to the parents, pupils, and staff across all member academies.

Core Responsibilities of the Board of Trustees

The Trustees are responsible for three key governance functions:

  • Financial Oversight: Ensuring the Trust’s financial integrity and probity

  • Strategic Leadership: Setting the overall direction and vision for the Trust and its academies

  • Accountability: Holding the CEO, Local Governing Bodies (LGBs), and Headteachers to account for performance

In collaboration with the Local Governing Bodies, Trustees oversee the quality of education and financial management at each academy within the Trust.

Audit Committee

To strengthen governance, the Board has established an Audit Committee responsible for overseeing financial and procedural accountability across the Trust. The Committee’s key duties include:

  • Managing risk

  • Ensuring statutory compliance

  • Monitoring adherence to good practice

The Audit Committee comprises non-executive members appointed by the Board. Meeting minutes are circulated to all Trustees. The CEO (as Accounting Officer), the Business & Finance Director (ACEO), and the Head of Finance regularly attend meetings. The Committee operates in an advisory capacity to the MAT Board.

Collaboration with Member Academies

The Chairs of each member academy’s Local Governing Body regularly meet to review and monitor the performance of the Trust. These meetings focus on evaluating value for money, effectiveness, and the overall success of collaborative efforts across the Trust.