Trust Central Services

Trust Central Services
Enabling schools to focus on teaching, learning and pupils

Salterns Academy Trust’s Central Services exist to enable schools to do their core job exceptionally well. By providing high‑quality, compliant and responsive support across IT, HR, Finance and Trust Operations, we reduce risk, improve efficiency and ensure that leaders and teachers can focus on delivering excellent education for every pupil.

Central Services operate as a single, integrated Trust function, working in partnership with school leaders and governing bodies.

 
How Central Services Support the Trust Strategy

IT & Digital Services

IT services are designed to be secure by default, aligned to national standards and proportionate to risk, ensuring continuity of learning and protection of Trust data.

What We Provide:

  • Trust‑wide IT infrastructure, cybersecurity and data protection controls
  • Digital platforms that support teaching, assessment, communication and collaboration
  • Consistent approaches to device management, access control and secure data handling

 
Human Resources (HR)

HR services ensure consistency, fairness and legal compliance, while supporting leaders to manage people issues confidently and appropriately.

What We Provide:

  • Trust‑wide HR policies, procedures and professional advice
  • Recruitment, induction and workforce planning support
  • Case management for attendance, wellbeing, conduct and capability 

Finance 

Finance  provides clear financial visibility and robust internal control, enabling informed decision‑making and long‑term sustainability.

What We Provide:

  • Budget setting, monitoring and financial reporting
  • Procurement and contract oversight
  • Compliance with the Academy Trust Handbook and ESFA requirements

 
Trust Operations

Trust Operations ensure that statutory duties are met and risks are actively managed, providing confidence to trustees and school leaders.


What We Provide:

  • Governance support, statutory compliance and policy frameworks
  • Estates, health & safety and operational risk oversight
  • Central coordination of Trust‑wide projects and assurance activity 

Our Operating Principles
Across all Central Services, we are guided by the following principles:

  • School‑centred: Services exist to support schools, not to create unnecessary bureaucracy
  • Proportionate: Controls and processes are aligned to risk
  • Consistent: Trust‑wide standards with room for local context
  • Transparent: Clear accountability, reporting and decision‑making
  • Collaborative: Working alongside school leaders, not in isolation

Governance & Accountability


Central Services operate under clear schemes of delegation and reporting arrangements, ensuring that:

  • Responsibilities are clearly defined
  • Decisions are made at the appropriate level
  • Trustees receive timely and accurate assurance
  • This approach supports effective oversight while preserving school‑level leadership autonomy.