Jump to content

Frequently asked questions about trusts

Questions and answers

1. What are the benefits of trust status?

Forming a trust can bring a new sense of dynamism and long-term relationships by bringing new partners to a school. It can also help to secure a partnership that is sustained beyond the involvement/employment of particular individuals. Trust schools manage their own assets, employ their own staff and set their own admissions.

Schools can work together in a trust to demonstrate a commitment to supporting each other to raise standards. Businesses, or other partners, can choose to work with schools in a trust and bring the benefits of their perspectives and experiences to support school development.

2. What role does the local authority perform in trust schools?

The local authority may be a partner in the trust. The role of the local authority as the owner of the school’s land and the employer of its staff ceases as this is transferred to the trust. Where appropriate, the local authority will still offer its services to trust schools and trust schools are still included in strategic planning. Being part of a trust does not, for example, exempt a school from a local authority’s reorganisation plans.

3. Is trust status only for the secondary sector?

No – any maintained primary, secondary or special school can become a trust school. Some schools may be restricted in joining trusts based on their circumstances. For example, many faith schools already operate on land owned by a charitable trust or the Church of England and therefore do not have the same options to transfer the ownership of assets.

4. How do I pursue trust status?

See the Schools Network website (formerly Specialist Schools and Academies Trust).

More models of leadership FAQs