Hatfield Community Free School is owned by a single academy trust of the same name (Company Number: 07648654).

The members of the Academy Trust are guardians of the governance of the trust. Whilst the Members do not make the actual governance decisions, they ensure that they are satisfied that the standard of governance across the Trust is high.

In 2020, the Department of Education produced a series of role descriptors including one for Academy Trust Members. This descriptor prescribes that Members must safeguard the governance of the Trust, and therefore need to seek assurance that governance is effective. Members must not assume the powers of Trustees, but also must be aware of the powers afforded to them.

Members have responsibility for ensuring that the academy trust’s charitable objects (i.e. advancing education for the public benefit) are met.

The most important role that Members play is of holding the Trust Board (Trustees) to account. This is achieved by monitoring the work of the Trust Board, via an annual report from the board presented at the annual general meeting, plus additional updates and information on progress made and future plans.