Meet the Trust
Welcome to Spark Education Trust
At Spark Education Trust, we are more than just a group of schools—we are a movement for change in education. We believe in learning for life—where young people don’t just pass exams, they develop the skills, confidence, and mindset to shape their futures.
As a multi-academy trust, we bring together like-minded schools that share our vision: to ignite potential, unlock ambition, and create transformational learning environments.
We are comitted to
Empowering schools to deliver high-quality education that prepares students for life.
Championing bold leadership that challenges traditional models and embraces innovation.
Creating a collaborative network where best practice is shared, and success is amplified.
A trust that sparks change
Every school in Spark Education Trust is unique, but they all share one purpose: to provide an education that truly makes a difference.
Our trust exists to support, develop, and inspire schools to be the best they can be—ensuring every young person thrives.
We believe that by working together, we can achieve more. Through collaboration, expertise, and a fearless commitment to improvement, we help our schools and students achieve extraordinary outcomes.
Our Structure & Governance
At Spark, we don’t just run schools—we empower them to be bold, inventive, and transformational.
Because the future belongs to those who are ready to shape it.
Trust Structure
Members and term of office
Kevin Hall
1 August 2016
Richard Long
18 January 2021
Martin Maggiore
15 April 2024
Wendy McConnell
15 April 2024
John Waugh
1 August 2016
TRUSTEES AND TERM OF OFFICE
Charlotte Irving – Chair
1/8/16 – 31/7/29
Eileen Martin – Vice-Chair and Chair of Curriculum and Standards Committee
2/12/20 – 31/07/25
Christopher Beaumont – Chair of Audit and Finance Committee
14/1/24 – 13/1/28
Alan Ankers
21/1/25 – 20/1/29
Gary Briston
9/11/22 – 8/11/27
Paula Hegarty
30/4/24 – 29/4/27
Fran Johnson
2/12/24 – 1/12/28
Christopher Linton
1/2/22 – 31/1/26
Sara Marshall
7/12/20 – 6/12/25
Jill McGuire
1/8/16 – 31/7/29
Sharon Reed
19/12/23 – 30/06/25
The Trust Board
The Trust Board is the accountable body for the performance of all Academies within the Trust and, as such:
- Ensures clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;
- Evaluates and provides strategic challenge in all areas for the purposes of achieving the charitable objective;
- Holds the CEO to account for the educational performance of the Academies and their pupils, and the performance management of staff;
- Oversees the financial performance of the Trust, ensuring financial probity and value for money; and
- Holds the LGC to account for the effective Governance at the level ‘knowing and understanding the school’ in line with the Trust Scheme of Delegation and Code of Conduct.
The Audit and Finance Committee
The Audit and Finance committee oversees and reviews the Trust’s finances, premises and staffing. Membership comprises 5 or 6 Trustees, supported by The Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Finance Officer and the Chief Operating Officer. It acts as an Audit Committee that oversees and reviews the financial management of the Trust in line with the requirements of the Academies Trust Handbook.
The Curriculum and Standards Committee
The Curriculum and Standards Committee monitors the work of the schools/academies in the Trust and supports the work of the Local Governance Committees in holding their academies to account and encouraging improvement at all levels.
The key areas of scrutiny and accountability for both primary and secondary are:
- Safeguarding
- Academy curriculum
- Outcomes and progress (all, SEND and PP)
- Attendance
- Behaviour
- School improvement
- Personal development and
- Quality assurance
The committee also focuses on the use of additional funding (pupil premium, sports premium and catch up) with regard to impact on curriculum, outcomes and wider engagement and attendance.
Membership comprises 5 or 6 Trustees, supported by The Chief Executive Officer and Directors of Education.
Local Governance Committees
The Trust Board has established an LGC for each school where it has determined to delegate powers to it using the earned autonomy principles. The Board has ensured arrangements are in place for the appointment of a Chair, a minimum of two elected Parents Governors and elected Staff Governors (no more than one third of its membership).
Governance Documents
Memorandum of Association
pdf • 51 KB
Articles of Association
pdf • 369 KB
Trustee Documents
Members Register of Interest 2024-25
pdf • 113 KB
Trustees Register of Interest 2024-25
pdf • 133 KB
Trustee Attendance Register 2024-25
pdf • 143 KB
Members Attendance Register 2024-25
pdf • 123 KB
Members Interests 2023-24
pdf • 154 KB
VALT Trustee Interests 2023-24
pdf • 164 KB
VALT Trustee Attendance 2023-24
pdf • 174 KB
VALT Members Interests 2022-23
pdf • 154 KB
VALT Trustee Interests 2022-23
pdf • 164 KB
VALT Governor Attendance 2022-23
pdf • 225 KB