Academies: Governing Bodies

Mr. Laws
To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what his policy is on the (a) number and (b) proportion of governors on the governing body of an academy who (i) represent and (ii) are appointed by the principal sponsor; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight
There are variations in the overall number of governors of Academies. However the sponsors of an Academy (excluding the LA, where the LA is a co-sponsor) must appoint a majority of the Governing Body members. If there are non-LA Co-Sponsors as well as Lead Sponsors the Lead Sponsor will appoint at least one more Governor than the non-LA Co-sponsor. If an Academy is to be jointly sponsored, both sponsors will appoint the same number of Governors but collectively appoint a majority.