The Hart School is committed to delivering an exceptional education for its students. As such, all aspects of our provision are required to be of the highest standard. Our expert governance team works to both support and hold to account senior leaders in the fulfilment of our aspirations. 

Our Academy Council Members  

• Work with leaders to communicate the vision, ethos and strategic direction of the school, and develop a culture of ambition. 
• Provide a balance of challenge and support to leaders, understanding the strengths and areas needing improvement at the school. 
• Understand the impact of teaching, learning and assessment on the progress of students in the school. 
• Ensure that the school’s finances are properly managed and can evaluate how the academy is using the pupil premium, catch-up premium and special educational needs funding. 
• Are transparent and accountable, including in the recruitment of staff, governance structures, attendance at meetings and contact with parents. 

Academy Council 

The Academy Council (AC) is a sub-committee of the Creative Education Trust Board of Directors. It is accountable to the Board of Directors and is its local presence. It may include representatives from such groups as the school community, the local community and other local organisations and businesses as appropriate. 

The main functions of the Academic Council (AC) are: 

• supporting CET’s plans for the school as set out in the ADIP, SEF and annual budget 
• providing understanding of the local context and the challenge that the local environment presents 
• acting as a sounding board for senior leaders, especially the Principal or Head Teacher 
• providing regular monitoring of health and safety matters, safeguarding provision, the welfare of looked after children, and provision for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities 
• providing hearing panels for pupil behaviour matters 
• building and maintaining positive local perceptions of the school 
• building and maintaining relationships with the local and regional business community 
• building and maintaining relationships with community partners (e.g., health services, police, social services) 
• undertaking local fundraising 
• the Chair of AC assisting in the recruitment process for Head Teachers and Principals. 

If you have any questions about the governance of our school, please contact the Academy Council by email via the principal at the following email address: rachael.sandham@hartschool.org.uk  

Any written correspondence should be addressed to The Chair:  Mr Andrew Drake, Academy Council c/o The Hart School, Penkridge Bank Road, Rugeley, Staffs, WS15 2UE. 

Academy Council Current Membership
Academy Council Member Name	AC Member Role	First Appointed	Term Start	Term End
Andrew Drake	Chair Community Governor	04 Sept 2020	04 Sept 2023	03 Sept 2026
Sean O'Meara	Vice Chair Community Councillor	01 Sept 2020	04 Sept 2023	03 Sept 2026
Melanie Havelock-Crozier	Community Councillor	01 Sept 2018	01 Sept.2024	31 Aug 2027
Geoff Hunt	Parent Councillor	04 Mar 2026	04 Mar 2026	03 Mar 2029
Andrea Felton	Community Councillor	14 Oct 2024	14 Oct 2024	13 Oct 2027
Rachael Sandham	Principal	01Sept 2020	01 Sept 2020	Ex-Officio
Marianne Blake	Community Councillor	01 Sept 2024	01 Sept 2024	31 Aug 2027

 

 

 

 

TThe Trust Board 

The CET Board is the overall governing body of the Trust and all its Academies. It is charged with the strategic direction of the Trust and is responsible to the Secretary of State for Education for executing its statutory duties. Its main functions are: 

• setting annual performance targets 
• determining all statutory and other policies 
• ensuring that curriculum requirements are met 
• setting the budget for the Trust and each academy 
• being the employer of all staff 
• being the ultimate body of appeal within the Trust 
• agreeing all major building work with the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA). 

Creative Education Trust can be contacted at: 67-68 Long Acre, London, WC2E 9JD and through telephone 020 39109200. The following link also contains further information around governance, schemes of delegation and accounts, Creative Education Trust Statutory Information.  

Statutory Information

Below is a link to the following Statutory Information on the Creative Education Trust’s website: 

• Annual Report and Financial Statements 
• Register of directors’ Interests 
• Scheme of delegation 
• Memorandum of association 
• Articles of association 
• Master funding agreements