Governance

Every school relies on committed volunteers from the local community to help guide its direction, people who want children and young people in their area to have a positive, supportive experience at school. If that sounds like you, becoming a school governor could be one of the most rewarding ways to give back.

You don’t need to be an education expert. What matters most is your local knowledge, lived experience, and commitment to making a difference. By joining one of our local governing committees, at a nearby school, you can help support schools, families, and the wider community.

If you would like further information, please contact governance@esteemmat.co.uk

Trust Board Responsibilities

• Set strategic vision and leadership 

• Accountability and assurance 

• Monitor educational and financial performance

• Ensure legal and regulatory compliance

• Hold senior leaders to account

Local Governing committees

• Exercise delegated powers as defined in the scheme of delegation

• Support and challenge to school leaders 

• Support and challenge leaders to ensure the school meets the needs of its community

• Help strengthen the relationship between the Trust, the school and its families

• Parent governors represent the views and experiences of families within the school

• Co-opt governors may offer specialist experience or community insight that compliments school, staff and parent voices

• Ensures decisions are well-informed, strategic and align with Trust priorities 

• Guidance and training provide

Our Governance Values

• Children are at the centre of every decision

• Integrity and transparency

• Constructive challenge

• Collaboration across the trust

• Ongoing development of skills and knowledge

For questions about governance or to learn more, please contact governance@esteemmat.co.uk.

Governor Vacancies

Governor vacancies at our academies are listed on their respective websites:

• The Aspire Academy
• Bennerley Fields School
• Bracken Hill School
• Derby Pride Academy
• Elmsleigh Infant & Nursery School
• Esteem North Academy
• Esteem South Academy
• Esteem Valley Academy
• Fountains Primary School
• Fountains High School
• Holbrook School for Autism
• Peak School
• Stanton Vale School
• St Clare’s School

Vacancies can also be found at:

Become a school governor – Boards for Education

Academy Trust Handbook

Join the NGA’s Young Governor Network

Only 8% of governors and trustees are aged under 40 (annual governance survey). Our governing bodies need to represent the community they serve, including younger voices. 

If you have a willingness to learn, and a passion for schools and children, a role as a governor may be a great fit for you. 

As well as our excellent governance team at Esteem, there are national organisations which can help you on your school governance journey. NGA’s Young Governor Network supports and encourages young governors and trustees by allowing them to:

• share their experiences
• address challenges and opportunities
• create relevant and sustainable connections

Click Here to Find Out More

Meet The Team

Carena

Director of Governance and Compliance

Lisa

Governance and Compliance Professional

Roberta Lowe

Governance and Compliance Professional

Governance in The Community

Many of our governors and trustees play an active role in community life across the Trust, supporting and celebrating the schools they serve.

At Bennerley Fields School, members of the local governing committee generously share their talents and join in the school’s pantomime for the school community.

Our governors and trustees also help recognise the dedication of our staff. The Esteem Staff Awards are presented by governors at school level and by trustees at Trust level, celebrating the achievements and contributions of colleagues across the organisation.

Local Governance

Esteem has a well-established governance structure which recognises the importance of having an effective and functioning local tier of governance via local governing committees. We are proud of our governors who come from different backgrounds and have a wealth of knowledge and experience which they use to the benefit of our academies and our pupils. Like our members and trustees, governors are volunteers who afford their time to attend regular meetings and visit our schools, meeting regularly as a board and fulfilling the important role of governance. The local governing boards operate as committees of our Trust Board and their role includes monitoring academy performance, provide challenge, holding academy leaders to account and acting as a critical friend. A governor’s focus also involves ensuring money is well spent, staff and pupil wellbeing, safeguarding, equality, diversity and inclusion, SEND and pupil voice.