Governance

At The Rivers C of E Academy Trust, we believe that strong governance helps every child receive the very best education and support.

Our governance structure ensures that important decisions are made at the right level. It combines the strategic leadership of the trust with the valuable local knowledge of each school community, helping us maintain high standards whilst keeping every school connected to the people it serves.

The trust's governance structure has three levels:

Members
Trustees
School-level Advocates (Local Voice)

Members

Members safeguard the trust's vision and ensure it continues to operate in line with its charitable purpose. Their role includes:

Appointing trustees
Holding trustees to account for the performance and governance of the trust
Ensuring the trust remains true to its vision, values and ethos
Approving significant constitutional changes when required

Board of Trustees

Trustees oversee the strategic direction of the trust and are responsible for making sure all our schools are well-led, financially secure and providing a high-quality education.

Set the overall vision and direction of the trust
Monitor educational standards and pupil outcomes
Ensure finances are managed responsibly
Oversee safeguarding and risk management
Make sure the trust meets all legal and regulatory requirements

School-level Advocates

Advocates are volunteers who help ensure that each school's unique community remains at the heart of trust decision-making.

They provide valuable feedback and insight about life in school from the perspective of pupils, parents, staff and the wider community.

Advocate roles include:

Headteacher Advocate – supporting, encouraging and constructively challenging school leadership
Pupil Experience Advocate – championing pupil wellbeing, safety and achievement
Community Advocate – strengthening relationships between the school, families and the local community
Christian Distinctiveness Advocate (Church Schools only) – supporting the school's Christian vision and values

Our Advocates

Mrs Suzy Humphries

Headteacher Advocate

Rev Leo Davison

Community Advocate

Mr Martin Hall

Pupil Experience Advocate

Mr Mitchell Davis

Pupil Experience Advocate

Contact an advocate

If you wish to contact one of our school advocates, please email the school office, office-bp@riverscofe.co.uk and mark FAO [name and advocate role].

Become an advocate

Make a real difference in the lives of children and your community. Contact the school office to register your interest.

Scheme of Delegation

The trust's Scheme of Delegation explains how decisions are made across the trust and who is responsible for different areas of work.

It outlines:

The responsibilities of members, trustees and executive leaders
The role of school leaders and advocates
How decisions are made
Accountability for education, finance, safeguarding and compliance

View our Scheme of Delegation on the trust website.

Governance Information

To ensure transparency and compliance with statutory requirements, key governance information is published on the trust website, including:

Trustee membership
Trustee attendance records
Committee structures and terms of reference
Register of business interests
Governance policies and key documents
Annual reports and accounts
Current governance arrangements across the trust

View governance documents on the trust website.