Specialist Schools and Academies Trust

The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust (SSAT) is an independent, not-for-profit, membership organisation in the United Kingdom, working in partnership with schools to raise student achievement and standards. It has lead responsibility for delivering the Government's Specialist Schools and Academies programmes. Its headquarters are at Millbank Tower in London.

Leadership

The Trust is governed by a Council with a Chief Executive responsible for ensuring delivery of the programmes.

The Senior Management Team as of September 2007 was: [http://www.specialistschools.org.uk/uploads/documents/smt_130.pdf]

* Chief Executive: Elizabeth Reid
* Chairman: Sir James Hill
* Director of Strategy and Programme Networks: Ian Turner
* Director of Specialism and Curriculum Networks: Jennifer Jupe
* Director of Leadership and Innovation Networks: Sue Williamson
* Director of Achievement Networks: David Crossley
* Director of Finance and Corporate Services: Colin Kerr
* Director of Academies Network: Lesley King

pecialist schools programme

The Government's aim is that by 2008 all schools will be specialist, except those planned to be Academies.

To apply for specialist status, a school must raise a minimum of £20,000 from the private sector. The success of the specialist schools programme is therefore not down to the schools alone: they rely heavily on support and investment from the private sector. Support from companies, individuals, trusts and foundations is vital to the ongoing success of the specialist schools programme. A one-off investment of £50,000 from the private sector unlocks, on average, £600,000 of additional funding from the government per school.

There are a number of benefits associated with supporting specialist schools:

*Supporting a specialist school provides opportunities to raise the profile of a particular sponsor through the association with a flagship national government initiative. In addition to national recognition sponsors can expect a substantial level of local recognition as a considerable proportion of the increased investment going into a school is used to help and improve local communities.

*Sponsors are able to place up to 2 representatives on the school’s governing body.

*Many sponsors have used their backing as an opportunity to devise work experience programmes that are beneficial to both their industry and the partner schools.

*Contributions to the programme are deducted against tax, for example, if a company makes a gross donation of £50,000 to the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust for their chosen school, enables the company to obtain tax relief at 30% thereby reducing the net cost to £35,000.

*The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust organises a number of high profile events throughout the year to thank sponsors and ensure they gain the recognition their support and commitment warrants.

*The National Conference has been cited by ministers and principals as, "the most important education conference in the year". It moved from its usual hotel venue to the ICC in Birmingham for the first time in 2002. Over 2000 principals come together for three days. Presenters have included the Prime Minister and international speakers such as Anita Roddick and Marjorie Scardino.

External links

* [http://www.ssatrust.org.uk/ Specialist Schools and Academies Trust]
* [http://www.standards.dfes.gov.uk/specialistschools/ The Standards' Site]
* [http://www.ssat-inet.net/ iNet (SSAT's international arm)]