Governance
At The Rivers C of E Academy Trust, we believe that strong governance helps every child receive the very best education and support.
Our governance structure ensures that important decisions are made at the right level. It combines the trust's strategic leadership with the valuable local knowledge of each school community, helping us maintain high standards while keeping every school connected to the people it serves.
The trust's governance structure has three levels:
- Members
- Trustees
- School-level Advocates (Local Voice)
Members
Members safeguard the trust's vision and ensure it continues to operate in line with its charitable purpose. Their role includes:
- Appointing trustees
- Holding trustees to account for the performance and governance of the trust
- Ensuring the trust remains true to its vision, values and ethos
- Approve significant constitutional changes when required
Board of Trustees
Trustees oversee the strategic direction of the trust and are responsible for making sure all our schools are well-led, financially secure and providing a high-quality education.
- Set the overall vision and direction of the trust
- Monitor educational standards and pupil outcomes
- Ensure finances are managed responsibly
- Oversee safeguarding and risk management
- Make sure the trust meets all legal and regulatory requirements
School-level Advocates
Advocates are volunteers who help ensure that each school's unique community remains at the heart of trust decision-making.
They provide valuable feedback and insight about life in school from the perspective of pupils, parents, staff and the wider community.
Advocate roles include:
- Headteacher Advocate – supporting, encouraging and constructively challenging school leadership
- Pupil Experience Advocate – championing pupil wellbeing, safety and achievement
- Community Advocate – strengthening relationships between the school, families and the local community
- Christian Distinctiveness Advocate (Church Schools only) – supporting the school's Christian vision and values
Our Advocates
- Headteacher Advocate – Mrs Susan Hamilton
- Pupil Experience Advocate – Mrs Felicity Bromfield
- Community Advocate – Mrs Michelle Walsh
- Community Advocate – Reverend Lindsay Coulthard
Contact an advocate
If you wish to contact one of our school advocates, please email the school office at nwoffice@riverscofe.co.uk and mark FAO [name and advocate role]
Become an advocate
Make a real difference in the lives of children and your community. Contact the school office to register your interest.
Scheme of Delegation
The trust's Scheme of Delegation explains how decisions are made across the Trust and who is responsible for different areas of work.
It outlines:
- The responsibilities of members, trustees and executive leaders
- The role of school leaders and advocates
- How decisions are made
- Accountability for education, finance, safeguarding and compliance
View our Scheme of Delegation on the trust website.
Governance Information
To ensure transparency and compliance with statutory requirements, key governance information is published on the trust website, including:
- Trustee membership
- Trustee attendance records
- Committee structures and terms of reference
- Register of business interests
- Governance policies and key documents
- Annual reports and accounts
- Current governance arrangements across the trust
View governance documents on the trust website.