Clear, confident, community-rooted leadership

At Creative Education Trust, we believe strong governance is essential to delivering an excellent education for every child. Our governance model is designed to provide clear accountability, strategic oversight, and meaningful local voice, ensuring that every academy benefits from both the strength of our Trust and the insight of its community.

Governance at Creative Education Trust is built on the principle of unified purpose, empowered people. Our Trust Board, Academy Councils, Executive Leadership Team and school leaders work together to ensure that ambition is ignited, equity is championed, and opportunity is unlocked for every learner.

Our approach combines strategic leadership with local knowledge. Decisions are made with a clear focus on educational excellence, financial sustainability, safeguarding, and the long-term success of our schools, while remaining firmly connected to the communities we serve.

How governance works at CET

Creative Education Trust operates a layered governance structure that provides both strong strategic oversight and effective local engagement.

You can also view our Scheme of Delegation, which sets out the responsibilities and decision-making arrangements across the Trust.

Members

Members are the guardians of the Trust's purpose and governance framework. They provide independent oversight of the Trust Board and hold responsibility for key constitutional matters, including the appointment of Trustees and ensuring that the Trust remains true to its mission, vision, and values.

Trust Board

The Trust Board is responsible for the overall strategic direction, performance, and accountability of the Trust. Trustees oversee educational outcomes, financial stewardship, risk management, compliance, and organisational development, ensuring that Creative Education Trust delivers on its mission and values.

To find out more about the people who provide strategic leadership across our Trust, visit our Meet the Trust Board page.

Academy Councils

Academy Councils are sub-committees of the Trust Board and play an important role in connecting schools to their communities. They provide local insight, champion stakeholder voice, and support school leaders through constructive challenge and community engagement.

Acting as the Trust's local "eyes and ears", Academy Councils help ensure that Trust-wide decisions are informed by the needs, experiences, and aspirations of pupils, families, staff, and the wider community.

To learn how Academy Councils support our schools and discover how you can become involved, visit our Academy Councils page.

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Governance with local voice

One of the defining features of governance at Creative Education Trust is our commitment to preserving the unique identity of every school while providing the benefits of being part of a strong and connected family of schools.

Our Academy Councils help ensure that schools remain firmly rooted in their communities, bringing valuable local perspectives into governance and strengthening relationships with stakeholders.

Through this approach, we create a governance model that combines:

• Strong strategic oversight
• Clear accountability
• Effective support and challenge
• Meaningful stakeholder engagement
• Deep understanding of local communities

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Contact

Governance at Creative Education Trust is supported by our Governance and Compliance Team.

Email: holly.crofts@creativeeducationtrust.org.uk