Welcome

Being a governor at Hadrian Academy is both rewarding and fulfilling, we are always pleased to receive comments and observations from parents. In order to facilitate this, any of the Trustees can be contacted via the school.

We welcome enquiries about joining the governing body and are constantly looking for new governors to diversify our membership in terms of age, skills, life experience and ethnicity.

If you wish to know more, or are interested in becoming a governor, please contact Saba Patwa, on saba.patwa@hadrianacademy.co.uk

Our Governance Structure

Members

Members are the custodians of the Academy Trust’s governance. They have a strategic, oversight role and ensure that the Trust is run in accordance with its Articles of Association and its Funding Agreement with the Department for Education.

As the highest tier in the governance structure, Members:

Safeguard the charitable purpose of the Trust and ensure it operates in the public interest.
Appoint and remove Trustees, ensuring the Board has the skills, capacity and independence required to govern effectively.
Hold the Board of Trustees to account for the proper use of public funds, compliance with statutory and contractual obligations, and the long‑term success of the Trust.
Approve any changes to the Articles of Association.
Receive the annual accounts and may ask questions to assure themselves that the Trust is well‑governed and financially sustainable.

Members do not take part in the day‑to‑day running of the Academy Trust. Their role is to provide high‑level oversight, ensuring strong governance, financial probity, and adherence to the Trust’s legal framework.

Trustees/Directors

Trustees (also known as Directors) are the strategic leaders of the Academy Trust. They are responsible for ensuring that the Trust delivers high‑quality education, uses public funds responsibly, and operates in full compliance with its Articles of Association and its Funding Agreement with the Department for Education.

As the governing board of the Trust, Trustees:

Set the Trust’s strategic vision, values and priorities, ensuring that our academy within the Trust is focused on improving outcomes for pupils.
Provide robust oversight of educational performance, monitoring standards, progress, safeguarding, and the quality of teaching and leadership.
Ensure strong financial stewardship, including approving budgets, overseeing financial controls, and ensuring the Trust remains sustainable and compliant with all statutory requirements.
Hold senior leaders to account, ensuring that decisions are evidence‑based, transparent, and aligned with the Trust’s long‑term strategy.
Manage risk and ensure effective governance, including compliance with charity and company law, the Academy Trust Handbook, and the Trust’s own policies and procedures.
Promote the highest standards of integrity and public accountability, upholding the Seven Principles of Public Life (Nolan Principles).

Trustees do not get involved in the day‑to‑day running of the schools. Instead, they provide strategic direction, oversight, and challenge to ensure that the Trust is well‑led, financially secure, and delivering excellent education for all pupils.

Appointment of Members and Trustees

Members and Trustees (Directors) are appointed in accordance with the Trust’s Articles of Association, which set out the legal framework for governance, including who may appoint, how appointments are made, and the terms of office.

Members

Members are appointed through the processes defined in the Articles of Association. This may include:

Appointment by existing Members through unanimous written agreement
Appointment of additional Members as permitted under the Articles
Completion of the required written consent to act

Trustees / Directors

Trustees are appointed through the mechanisms set out in the Articles, which may include:

Member‑appointed Trustees
Co‑opted Trustees appointed by the Board
Parent Trustees elected by parents
Staff Trustees elected by staff
Ex officio Trustees, such as the Principal

Trustee term of office is four years with the exception of Ex officio Trustees.

All Trustees must meet eligibility requirements and act in accordance with the Articles of Association and the Trust’s Funding Agreement.

Governance Structure

Governance Membership

Governance Meetings

Effective governance is central to the success of Hadrian Academy Trust. Our governance meetings provide structured oversight, strategic direction, and robust accountability across the Trust. Through a clear annual cycle of meetings, trustees work collaboratively to ensure high standards, strong financial stewardship, and continuous improvement in educational outcomes.

Hadrian Academy Trust is committed to strong, ethical, and effective governance. Through well‑structured meetings, clear reporting lines, and a culture of continuous improvement, we ensure that every decision supports our mission: providing exceptional education and opportunities for every child across our Trust.