The directors set the strategic direction for the MAT and are accountable to the Secretary of State for the performance of the schools within it. This is set out in a legal document known as the ‘funding agreement’. As charity trustees, they must also ensure that they are complying with charity law requirements. High calibre directors are appointed for their skills, knowledge or experience as needed by the Board.
The Trust Board of Directors has three core functions:
1 Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
2 Holding the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to account for the educational performance of the Trust schools and their pupils, and the performance management of staff
3 Overseeing the financial performance of the schools and making sure its money is well spent
Chair of Directors
Term of Office: 16.11.26
Term of Office: 10.09.30
Committee: Audit and Risk
Term of Office: 24.10.29
Committee: Audit and Risk (Chair)
Executive Headteacher / CEO
Term of Office: Ex-Officio
Vice Chair
Term of Office: 03.09.27
Term of Office: 19.09.27
Term of Office: 24.10.29
Great Oak Multi Academy Trust Board of Directors
September 2026 - August 2027
|
Name |
Type |
Office |
Term |
Date stepped down |
Number of Directors’ Board Meetings |
Number of Directors’ Board Meetings attended |
|
Elizabeth Barker |
Appointed by Members |
Chair |
16/11/2026 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
Gary Benn
|
Co-opted Director |
|
10/09/2026 |
|
1 |
1 |
|
John Burwood |
Appointed by Members |
24/10/2029 |
|
1 |
1 |
|
|
Sarah Mitchell |
CEO
|
CEO Executive Headteacher |
Ex-Officio |
|
1 |
1 |
|
Wassim Mughal |
Appointed by Members |
03/09/2027 |
|
1 |
1 |
|
|
Kate Porch |
Appointed by Members |
19/09/2027 |
1 |
0 |
||
|
Rev Lynda Sebbage |
Appointed by Members |
24/10/2029 |
1 |
0 |
Great Oak Multi Academy Trust Board of Directors
September 2025 - August 2026
|
Name |
Type |
Office |
Term |
Date stepped down |
Number of possible Full Directors’ Meetings |
Number of Full Directors’ Meetings attended |
Member of Audit and Risk Committee |
|
Elizabeth Barker |
Appointed by Members |
Chair |
16/11/2026 |
4 |
3 |
|
|
|
Gary Benn
|
Co-opted Director |
|
10/09/2026 |
|
4 |
2 |
Yes |
|
John Burwood |
Appointed by Members |
24/10/2029 |
|
3 |
3 |
Yes
|
|
|
Neil Gregory |
Appointed by Members |
24/10/2029 |
29/07/2026
|
3 |
1 |
Yes
|
|
|
Sarah Mitchell |
CEO
|
CEO Executive Headteacher |
Ex-Officio |
|
4 |
4 |
|
|
Wassim Mughal |
Appointed by Members |
03/09/2027 |
|
4 |
4 |
Stepped down 18.11.25
|
|
|
Kate Porch |
Appointed by Members |
19/09/2027 |
4 |
4 |
|
||
|
Rev Lynda Sebbage |
Appointed by Members |
24/10/2029 |
3 |
1 |
|
Governance Professional
Audit and Risk Committee Independent Member
Audit and Risk Committee Independent Member
Date Stepped Down: 29.07.26
Committee: Audit and Risk (Chair)