Specialist Schools and Academies Trust 4770113 223695109 2008-07-05T08:50:04Z JaGa 2092487 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]]