A trust is only as good as the seriousness with which it holds itself to account. The Board of Trustees is responsible for the strategic direction of ODBST and for assurance that we are delivering for children, staff and communities. The Trustees are supported by Local Governing Bodies at school level, who know their schools deeply and hold their headteachers to account on behalf of their school communities.

Through the year, the Board operates a clear accountability cycle: Autumn focusses on results, finance and risk; Spring on outcomes mid-year and SEND; Summer on strategic review, value for money and the budget. Our annual report sets out, against each of our pillars and enablers, what we said we would do, what we did, and what we are still working on.

Our scheme of delegation, the document that sets out who decides what, is published in full and in a short two-page form for ease of reference. It is reviewed annually and refreshed in full every three years.