Our Structure

Our Structure  

Colyton Grammar School is a single academy trust. The Academy Trust is a charitable company limited by guarantee (Company Number: 07445493) .  The Trust has four Members.  The Trustees are the registered directors of the trust and must ensure that the school is run in accordance with its Memorandum and Articles of Association.  

The Role of the Members of the Academy Trust Company 

Members have a limited but distinct role. They are the guardians of the Trust with responsibility for ensuring that the Trust fulfils its charitable function of providing effective educational provision. Members are responsible for approving the appointment of new Trustees and the removal of Trustees. As part of its oversight the Members’ group receives a copy of the Annual Accounts and appoints the External Auditors. Where, in exceptional circumstances, a Board is failing to fulfil its function Members may direct or even dismiss a Board. The Members must hold a an Annual General Meeting; this is usually held in December.  Meet the Members. 

The Role and Structure of the Board of Trustees 

The Board of Trustees is responsible for developing and overseeing the strategic direction of the school. The Board of Trustees is ultimately responsible for: 

  • ensuring the quality of education; 

  • ensuring high performance of the school in all areas;  

  • ensuring good financial health and probity; and  

  • supporting the school with management of staff. 

The running and management of the school is done by the Headteacher and the Senior Leadership Team.  The Board’s role is to provide effective challenge and support to the Headteacher and Senior Leadership team to ensure excellence in all areas of the Colyton Grammar School.    

The Board of Trustees consists of the Headteacher together with a number of other trustees, two are elected from the parent body and others are appointed by Trustees - the Members ratify their appointment.  You can find further information about our trustees’ here. 

The Board is led by the Chair, Mr Ian Griffin who is supported by Mr Barry Sindall, the Vice Chair.  Trustees come from a wide range of backgrounds and are chosen to ensure a balance of skills across the Board. Trustees are generally in post for four years with the option to be reappointed for a further four years. The combination of experienced trustees and new recruits ensures both continuity and a fresh approach.  Meet the Board of Trustees. 

The Board has meetings every half term in which the strategic work of the Board takes place; all Trustees are expected to attend Board Meetings.  You can see a register of attendance at Board meetings here. The Board of Trustee has appointed a Governance Officer, Ally Booker, who assists with ensuring compliance with governance matters.   The Board's Terms of Reference and Scheme of Delgation sets out the matters the powers that the Board has delegated.

The Board has three subexecutives supporting and overseeing the strategic direction of the school is delivered.  These executives are the: Remuneration, Resources Audit and Risk and Education.  The Board has delegated some of its powers to the Executives and these can be found in our Scheme of Delegation.   

The Remuneration Executive has responsibility for overseeing and approving teaching and support staff pay progression.  The executive meets annually, normally in November.  The executive has powers to act on behalf of the Board in accordance with its Terms of Reference.  

The Resources & Audit and Risk Executive has responsibility advising the Board and Accounting Officer regarding the adequacy and effectiveness of the Trust’s internal controls, risk management, governance and value for money systems and frameworks. The Executive also monitors and ensures the adequacy and effectivesness of all matters relating to finance, estates, IT catering and HR. The committee has powers to act on behalf of the Board in accordance with its Terms of Reference and the Board's Scheme of Delegation. 

The Education Executive has responsbility for overseeing Admissions to CGS and as well as ensuring the adequacy and effectiveness of all matters and responsibilities for the educational performance of CGS and its students in the context of the agreed board strategy.  The committee meets every half term and reports back to the Board.  The committee has powers to act on behalf of the Board in accordance with the Board's Scheme of Delegation and its Terms of Reference. 

The Board and Executive meetings are clerked by our Governance Officer and the minutes of the meetings can be requested by sending Mrs Booker an email. 

Marcomms Focus Group 

In addition, the Board has established a focus group to support the school's senior leadership team in fundraising, marketing and coporate responsibility.  Our Marcomms Group, led by Trustee Mr Andrew Gould and has oversight of the following: 

  • Exeternal marketing and communications  

  • Social media and the website  

  • Parents’ Association  

  • Community relations  

  • Alumni  

  • Fundraising  

Any Other Business 

  • Overview group whereby the Chair, Vice Chair of Trustees and Headteacher discuss any other matters arising.  

Key Governance Documents can be found here