STEP Governance

  • Members: guardians of STEP Academy Trust, their role is similar to that of shareholders of a limited company.
  • Trustees: the legal powers and responsibilities of the Trust are held with the STEP Board of trustees who are accountable to the Department for Education.

    As a group, the Board set the overall strategic direction of the Trust. They scrutinise, challenge and support our educational and operational performance data, stability, and emerging risks/opportunities.

    Accordingly, the Board delegate certain powers and duties to Academy Committees. This is explained in our Scheme of Delegation.
  • Executive Team: comprised of the Chief Executive Officer, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial and Operations Officer, Director of Effectiveness and Performance, Director of Teaching and Learning, Director of Leadership Development and Director of Operations.

    Their role is to design and implement a strategic development plan, the STEP Compass, which will enable the mission and vision of the Trust to be achieved.
  • STEP Senior Leadership Team: comprised of the Executive Team, Executive Headteachers, Headteachers and Heads of School, and the Heads of Service.

    Guided by the STEP Compass, they are responsible for developing and implementing Academy Improvement Plans and Service Improvement Plans, so that all parts of the organisation achieve the STEP Standard.
  • Academy Committees: provide support and challenge to Academy Leadership Teams as the Academy implements policies and improvement plan priorities.

    Academy Committees have a vital role to play in providing assurance to the Trustees that the standards they and the Executive Team set are being met and that resources are used efficiently to give every child the best possible education.

    They also play a key role in ensuring all our academies are at the heart of their local communities.
  • Academy Leadership Team: comprised of the Executive Headteacher, Headteacher, Head of School, Deputy Head, Assistant Head (where applicable), SENDCO and Business Advisor.

    This team is responsible for the performance and management of the Academy.
  • “STEP First” is the notion that, first and foremost, everyone is committed to being part of STEP Academy Trust.  All governors must be fully aligned to the Trust’s Mission, Vision and Values.  Although serving one or more particular Academies, governors are members of the wider STEP team.  We are all one team, in one organisation, working towards the same goal:  to be excellent in all we do – STEP First!

    Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes

    2022- 2023

    2021 – 2022

    2020 – 2021

    2019 – 2020

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    2018 – 2019

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    2017 – 2018

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    2016 – 2017

    [_/su_spoiler]

    As a charitable company limited by guarantee, STEP Academy Trust is defined by a number of key documents including: Articles of Association, Schemes of Delegation and Funding Agreements. In addition, the Trust is required to make public its accounts which are audited annually.

    Meet Our People

    Executive Team




    Central Team


    Board of Trustees



    Salaries of Our People

    Strategic Partners

    These valued partners help STEP Academy Trust in a number of ways, supporting us with their expertise.

    Our History

    2011
    April 21

    STEP Incorporated

    STEP Incorporated
    STEP Academy Trust is incorporated with Gonville Academy, Croydon.
    August 1

    David Livingstone Academy joins STEP

    David Livingstone Academy joins STEP
    David Livingstone Academy, Croydon joins STEP Academy Trust.
    2013
    April 1

    Applegarth Academy Joins STEP

    Applegarth Academy Joins STEP
    Applegarth Academy, Croydon joins STEP Academy Trust.
    November 1

    Wolsey Junior Academy Joins STEP

    Wolsey Junior Academy Joins STEP
    Wolsey Junior Academy, Croydon joins STEP Academy Trust.
    2014
    September 11

    La Fontaine Academy Joins STEP

    La Fontaine Academy Joins STEP
    La Fontaine Academy opened by STEP Academy Trust as a Free School.
    2015
    February 2

    Angel Oak Academy Joins STEP

    Angel Oak Academy Joins STEP
    Angel Oak Academy, Southwark joins STEP Academy Trust.
    September 1

    Heathfield Academy Joins STEP

    Heathfield Academy Joins STEP
    Heathfield Academy opened by STEP Academy Trust as a targeted basic needs school.
    2016
    September 1

    Hawkes Farm Academy & Breakwater Academy Join STEP

    Hawkes Farm Academy & Breakwater Academy Join STEP
    Hawkes Farm Academy and Breakwater Academy, East Sussex join STEP Academy Trust.
    2017
    January 1

    Burfield Academy, High Cliff Academy, Phoenix Academy & White House Academy Join STEP

    Burfield Academy, High Cliff Academy, Phoenix Academy & White House Academy Join STEP
    Burfield Academy, High Cliff Academy, Phoenix Academy and White House Academy rebrokered from Lilac Sky Schools Academy Trust.
    September 1

    Wolsey Infant and Nursery Academy Join STEP

    Wolsey Infant and Nursery Academy Join STEP
    Wolsey Infant and Nursery Academy, Croydon joins STEP Academy Trust.
    2018
    January 9

    Wolsey Infants and Wolsey Junior Academy Form Tudor Academy

    Wolsey Infants and Wolsey Junior Academy Form Tudor Academy
    Wolsey Infants & Wolsey Junior Academy amalgamate forming Tudor Academy.
    August 1

    Turnham Academy Joins STEP

    Turnham Academy Joins STEP
    Turnham Academy joins STEP Academy Trust.
    2020
    May 1

    Benedict Academy, Park Academy & Westbridge Academy Join STEP

    Benedict Academy, Park Academy & Westbridge Academy Join STEP
    Benedict Academy, Park Academy and Westbridge Academy join STEP Academy Trust.
    November 1

    Beddington Park Academy Joins STEP

    Beddington Park Academy Joins STEP
    Beddington Park Academy joins STEP Academy Trust.
    2022
    February 1

    Peacehaven Heights Academy Joins STEP

    Peacehaven Heights Academy Joins STEP
    Peacehaven Heights Academy and Telscombe Cliffs Academy join STEP Academy Trust.

    Angel Oak Academy
    Burcher Gale Grove
    London
    SE15 6FL

    TELEPHONE:
    0207 703 3125
    EMAIL: ✉
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    Beddington Park Academy
    Mallison Road
    Beddington
    CR0 4UL

    TELEPHONE:
    0208 688 1390
    EMAIL: ✉
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    David Livingstone Academy
    Northwood Road
    Croydon
    CR7 8HX

    TELEPHONE:
    0208 653 4240
    EMAIL: ✉
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    Heathfield Academy
    Aberdeen Road
    Croydon
    CR0 1EQ

    TELEPHONE:
    0208 353 4250
    EMAIL: ✉
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    Park Academy
    Dorset Road
    London
    SW19 3EF

    TELEPHONE:
    0208 542 3365
    EMAIL: ✉
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    Turnham Academy
    Turnham Road
    Brockley
    SE4 2HH

    TELEPHONE:
    0207 639 0440
    EMAIL: ✉
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    Applegarth Academy
    New Addington
    Croydon
    CR0 9DL

    TELEPHONE:
    01689 841 528
    EMAIL: ✉
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    Benedict Academy
    Church Rd
    Mitcham
    CR4 3BE

    TELEPHONE:
    0208 648 4726
    EMAIL: ✉
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    Gonville Academy
    Gonville Road
    Croydon
    CR7 6DL

    TELEPHONE:
    0208 684 4006
    EMAIL: ✉
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    La Fontaine Academy
    Nightingale Lane
    Bromley
    BR1 2SQ

    TELEPHONE:
    0208 353 4160
    EMAIL: ✉
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    Tudor Academy
    King Henry's Drive
    New Addington
    CR0 0PH

    TELEPHONE:
    01689 843 103
    EMAIL: ✉
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    Westbridge Academy
    Westbridge Road
    London
    SW11 3NE

    TELEPHONE:
    0207 228 1293
    EMAIL: ✉
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    Breakwater Academy
    Valley Road
    East Sussex
    BN9 9UT

    TELEPHONE:
    01273 514 300
    EMAIL: ✉
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    Hawkesfarm Academy
    Hawks Road
    East Sussex
    BN27 1ND

    TELEPHONE:
    01323 841 466
    EMAIL: ✉
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    Burfield Academy
    Oaklands Way
    Hailsham
    BN27 3NW

    TELEPHONE:
    01323 819 309
    EMAIL: ✉
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    High Cliff Academy
    Southdown Road
    Newhaven
    BN9 9FD

    TELEPHONE:
    01273 041 471
    EMAIL: ✉
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    Peacehaven Heights Academy
    Peacehaven
    Infants: Roderick Avenue, BN10 8UZ
    Juniors: Hoddern Avenue, BN10 7QY

    TELEPHONE:
    01273 575 989
    EMAIL: ✉
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    Phoenix Academy
    Marshfoot Lane
    Hailsham
    BN27 2PH

    TELEPHONE:
    01323 841 420
    EMAIL: ✉
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    Telscombe Cliffs Academy
    Telscombe Cliffs Way
    Peacehaven
    BN10 7DE

    TELEPHONE:
    01273 583 113
    EMAIL: ✉
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    White House Academy
    Marshfoot Lane
    Hailsham
    BN27 2FB

    TELEPHONE:
    01323 841 615
    EMAIL: ✉
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