School Advisory Boards: what they do and why the advisory role matters
Across England, over 230,000 people volunteer in school and trust governance roles, supporting schools through oversight, discussion and challenge.
At Maiden Erlegh Trust, School Advisory Boards are part of school governance, but their role is advisory. SAB members do not run schools or make executive decisions. Strategic and legal accountability sits with the Trust Board.
Instead, School Advisory Boards work with Headteachers to look at how schools are doing, review evidence and ask questions that support improvement. This includes discussing priorities, progress, safeguarding, inclusion and pupil wellbeing.
This advisory role creates space for leaders to explain decisions, reflect on evidence and consider different perspectives, without stepping into day-to-day management.
"I believe that working together is important from the Trust Board level through all relevant committees and working down through the Trust Structure from CEO, Directors and all staff and students." — Robert John Kenwrick, Vice Chair of Trust and Chair of the SAB at River Academy
If you are interested in learning more about School Advisory Boards, you can register your interest in joining a School Advisory Board.
