Trust Central Services

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

By providing high-quality, responsive support and expert guidance across IT, HR, Finance and Trust Operations, the Salterns Academy Trust’s Central Services team enables our schools to focus their time, energy and resources on what matters most: delivering an exceptional educational experience for every student. Through effective systems, strong governance and trusted partnerships, we help reduce risk, improve efficiency and create the conditions in which leaders, teachers and students can thrive. 
 
Central Services operates as a unified Trust-wide team, based across our three schools and working closely with school leaders and governing bodies to deliver effective, collaborative support. 

How Central Services Support the Trust Strategy 
 
IT & Digital Services 
IT services provide secure, reliable and resilient technology that supports teaching and learning, protects Trust data and aligns with national standards and risk-based best practice.

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) 
Through expert advice and practical support, HR services help ensure consistency, fairness and legal compliance, giving leaders the confidence to manage people matters effectively 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  
Through clear financial reporting, strong financial controls and expert oversight, the Finance function supports confident decision-making and helps ensure the Trust remains sustainable for the future. 

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

Trust Operations 
Through effective oversight and risk management, the Operations team ensure that statutory responsibilities are met, giving trustees and school leaders the confidence that the Trust is operating effectively and compliantly.

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 flexibility 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 
• Effective oversight supports leadership autonomy and empowered decision-making at school level.