Governance

Governance at Reach South Academy Trust

At Reach South Academy Trust, governance is the cornerstone of our commitment to delivering high-quality education across our family of academies. Our governance framework ensures accountability, strategic oversight, and continuous improvement, supporting our mission to advance education for all.

The Trust operates through a multi-layered governance structure that includes:

• Members: guardians of the Trust’s constitution.
• Board of Trustees: responsible for strategic direction and oversight.
• Board Committees: focused on key areas such as finance, education standards, people, risk, and audit.
• Executive Team: led by the CEO, managing day-to-day operations.
• Local Governing Bodies (LGBs): providing challenge and support to individual academies.

Each tier plays a vital role in ensuring that our academies are well-led, compliant, and aligned with our values and educational principles.

To learn more about our governance structure, roles, and responsibilities, please refer to our comprehensive Governance Handbook.

Reach South Academy Trust Members

​The Members of Reach South Academy Trust may be considered as the guardians of the constitution. A summary of their roles and who they are is set out in the document The Members.

The Underpinning Governance Principles

​Reach South Academy Trust was founded in 2016 as a Multi Academy Trust through a Memorandum of Association. Our governance constitution is set out in our Articles of Association. In order to operate as a Multi Academy Trust, Reach South has entered into a Master Funding Agreement with the Secretary of State.

Governance Scheme of Delegation

​The Reach South Academy Trust Governance Scheme of Delegation is set out in the following documents:

• Trust Board Terms of Reference
• Education Standards and Performance Committee
• Finance Committee
• People Committee
• Risk and Audit Committee
• Executive Delegation
• Local Governing Body Terms of Reference
• Improvement Board Terms of Reference
• Governance Handbook
• Performance and Remuneration Committee Terms of Reference

The relationship between the different tiers of governance is set out in a Role and Functions Matrix, Governance Communications chart, and a Governance Document Overview.

Gender Pay Reporting

• Reach South Academy Trust Gender Pay Report 31 March 2024
• Reach South Academy Trust Gender Pay Report 31 March 2023
• Reach South Academy Trust Gender Pay Report 31 March 2022
• ​Reach South Academy Trust Gender Pay Report 31 March 2021
• ​Reach South Academy Trust Gender Pay Report 31 March 2020
• Reach South Academy Trust Gender Pay Report 31 March 2018

Board Diversity Data

The document here provides a selection of anonymised, unidentifiable Board Diversity data for the Reach South Academy Trust Board of Trustees. This exercise was completed for the academic year 2024/25.

Trustee Attendance 

Please see our Trustee meeting attendance document here. 

Conflict of Interest Policy

​The Reach South Academy Trust Conflict of Interest Policy can be found here.

Register of Business Interests

​The Reach South Academy Trust Register of Business Interests can be found here.

Millbay Academy Deed of Variation 

The Millbay Academy Deed of Variation can be found here.