Severn Bridges Academies Trust is an exempt charity, meaning it operates similarly to other charities but is overseen by the Secretary of State for Education, rather than the Charity Commission.

Our operations are primarily governed by our Articles of Association, which define our internal structure, and the Master Funding Agreement, the legal contract with the Secretary of State under which our schools operate. Each school also has a separate Supplemental Funding Agreement.

We are also governed by the Department for Education’s Academies Financial Handbook and other relevant legislation pertaining to schools and charities.

Our Governance Structure

Our formal structures are designed to provide robust oversight and management of our schools, without unnecessarily restricting innovation and autonomy.

Trustees provide strategic oversight and ensure that the Trust meets its legal obligations, both directly and through the Audit and Risk Committee.

Strategy formulation and day-to-day operations are delegated to the Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Morris, who is supported by a Central MAT Team Deputy CEO, our Headteachers and external professional expertise.

Our Headteachers are both challenged and supported by the Trust Board Standards Committee. TBSC members are part of the Trust Board, ensuring the necessary balance of skills to oversee and support modern schools.