Specialist Schools and Academies Trust
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JaGa
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Reverted 3 edits by [[Special:Contributions/86.138.13.115|86.138.13.115]] to last version by Mervyn (using [[WP:HG|Huggle]])
[[Image:Specialist Schools and Academies Trust.gif|right]]
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 school|Specialist School]]s and [[Academy (England)|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 (educator)|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]]
==Specialist schools programme==
{{main|specialist school}}
The [[Her Majesty's Government|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.
==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)]
[[Category:Education in England]]
[[Category:Public bodies and task forces of the United Kingdom government]]