The Trust’s Members have the responsibility/powers to:

  • oversee the achievement of the Trust’s objectives;
  • appoint other Members and some Directors/Trustees and to remove Members or Directors/Trustees should it become necessary to do so; and
  • make amendments to the Trust’s Articles of Association that determine the constitution and governance arrangements of the Trust.

b) Board of Directors/Trustees
It is the role of the Board of Directors/Trustees to:

  • determine the vision and values, strategic plan, annual objectives and targets for the Trust, and to monitor achievement against these;
  • ensure that the business and finance of the Trust are well led and managed
  • ensure probity and fulfilment of statutory and regulatory responsibilities;
  • appoint members of the Local Governing Committees;
  • determine the arrangements for setting of key policies; and
  • appoint the CEO and the Headteacher of each School and set arrangements for their performance management.

c) Local Governing Committee(s)
It is the role of the Local Governing Committee(s) of each School to:

  • carry forward the Trust’s vision in a way that is appropriate to the specific qualities and community characteristics of the School;
  • ensure that standards of achievement are high;
  • monitor and evaluate the work of the School systematically in relation to student performance, student behaviour, self-evaluation and improvement, budget and financial performance and community cohesion; and
  • act in an advisory capacity to the School and Head of School.

d) Finance & Resources Committee (including Audit)
The role of the Finance and Resources Committee is as follows:

Finance: Oversight of, and advice and support to the Board on matters relating to financial management, strategy and policies including setting of annual budgets and detailed oversight of in-year financial performance; the safeguarding and use of assets/resources; ensuring that the Trust operates within the law and regulatory environment in relation to its finances and its role as an employer; and compliance with legislation relating to Health & Safety.

Audit: Oversight of, and advice to the Board on: the adequacy and effectiveness of systems of risk management and internal control; the Trust’s audit strategy and annual plan and the appointment, dismissal and remuneration of internal and financial statements auditors; monitoring of actions to address audit findings; and ensuring that all allegations of fraud and irregularity are appropriately investigated and that control weaknesses addressed.

For further information on Trust Annual Reports and Financial Statements click on this link to the SEARCH Education Trust website.

SEARCH Education Trust Members
Lincoln Abbotts
Nick Chambers
Craig Patterson
Adrian Cojocaru

SEARCH Education Trust – Board of Directors/Trustees
Chair: Vikram Gandhi
Vice-Chair: Ajhar Alam
Joe Dilger
Juliet Adu-Gyamfi
Margaret Sumner
Isobel McConville
Olivia Newbolt
Nina Hattam
Rachel Harding

The Grove – Local Governing Committee
Chair: Stephen Schaw Miller
Vice Chair: Holly Bathgate
Lucia Santi – Headteacher
Mike Freeman – Staff Governor
Joel Keane
Orazio Cappello
Callum Coleman
Patricia Pierre
Cleo-Maria Williamson
Carl Campbell  – Parent Governor
Julie Collings-Barron – Parent Governor
Susan McHugh – Parent Governor

Finance & Resources Committee
Chair: Joe Dilger
Vikram Gandhi
Juliet Adu-Gyamfi
Ajhar Alam

To contact:

Chair Board of Trustees
Chair, The Grove Local Governing Committee

Please get in touch with the Trust Governance Officer
governance@searcheducationtrust.com

Alternatively, you can write by post to:

Trust Governance Officer
SEARCH Education Trust
Station Road
London, N22 7ST