A new framework to capture the purpose and ethics expectations of academy trust chief executives is being drawn up.
The Confederation of School Trusts has launched a consultation to “codify” the role of CEOs in trusts.
It aims to set out the purpose, expectations of ethics and professional conduct, as well as explaining how the six domains a chief executive is responsible for are linked.
The six domains are listed as strategic leadership, finance and compliance, quality of education, people strategy, governance and accountability and system leadership and civic responsibility.
Leora Cruddas, chief executive of CST, said it will be an “important contribution to knowledge-building for the school trust sector will give boards and executive leaders essential support for the recruitment, development and performance review of CEOs.”
The core function of school headteachers is defined through the Headteachers’ Standards, but there is no similar document for CEOs.
Just over 40 per cent of schools are now in an academy trust, educating 55 per cent of all pupils.
CST says it is the first time such a framework will be developed. However Forum Strategy, a CEO network organisation, has pointed out a book by its chief executive published three years ago includes a framework for the CEO role, which was developed in consultation with the sector.
CST’s framework has been developed with input from an advisory group of CEOs, an evaluation of relevant literature and support from the Ambition Institute.
The organisation now wants to test its definition by hearing from both executive and non-executive leaders from across the sector.
The consultation, which closes on November 1, can be accessed here.
Clarification: This article has been updated to include details of the Forum Strategy CEO framework.
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