Terminology
Definitions of common terms used in this manual to reflect the differences between schools.
Academies include free schools, studio schools and university technical colleges (UTCs).
Includes single academy trusts (SATs) and multi-academy trusts (MATs). Academy trusts are set up as charitable companies limited by guarantee.
The accountable body for the school or group of schools. In:
- a local authority maintained school, this will be the governing body
- an academy trust this will be the board of charity trustees
The directors of academy trusts who oversee the operation of academies.
The term ‘trustees’ is usually used in Department for Education (DfE) documents to refer to those who sit on the board of directors of an academy trust.
In church academies the term trustees refers to the legal trustees, known in law as the ‘trustees of the school’. The directors of church academies are always referred to as the directors and not trustees.
In all dealings with land it’s essential that rights and responsibilities are accurately reflected and the role of the trustees of the school is properly recognised. To ensure clarity in this guidance, the terms ‘charity trustees’ and ‘trustees of the school’ are used and have been defined.
Those held to account for the performance of the organisation by the board. Depending on the structure of your organisation, this may be the:
- chief executive officer (CEO)
- executive headteacher, headteacher or principal
- other senior employees/staff
A committee of a multi-academy trust (MAT) board, established under the trust’s articles of association.
The school or group of schools being governed.
The school proprietor (the academy trust, for academies and free schools) is the employer in:
- academies
- free schools
- other independent schools
This covers a range of roles, including:
- office administrators in small schools
- business managers and business directors in larger schools
- chief finance officer or chief operating officer of a large multi-academy trust (MAT)
All schools designated with a religious character in accordance with the School Standards and Framework Act 1998.
The foundation which established the school.
For schools and academies with a religious character this could be the:
- Church of England
- Catholic Church
- other religious authorities
The term ‘trustees’ is usually used in Department for Education (DfE) documents to refer to those who sit on the board of directors of an academy trust.
In church academies the term trustees refers to the legal trustees, known in law as the ‘trustees of the school’. The directors of church academies are always referred to as the directors and not trustees.
In all dealings with land it is essential that rights and responsibilities are accurately reflected and the role of the trustees of the school is properly recognised. To ensure clarity in this guidance, the terms ‘charity trustees’ and ‘trustees of the school’ are used and have been defined.