The Academy

As a standalone academy, we have the autonomy to make the best decisions for our students and to determine our own high standards.

Heckmondwike Grammar School is a standalone academy, having been one of the first schools to convert and open on the first day possible under the Academies Act 2010. We do not have a sponsor, and this means we are entirely self-governing. Senior staff and governors are accountable directly to the DfE for all aspects of the operation of the school.

HGS is no stranger to this kind of status, having previously been a grant-maintained school for many years. Since the late 1980s, we have taken responsibility for our own staff and payroll, maintenance and development of our premises, catering and so on.

The academy is run by a trust, which is called Heckmondwike Grammar School Academy Trust. This body appoints governors (apart from those who are elected, i.e. staff and parent governors). Governors are responsible for supporting and challenging senior staff in setting the strategic direction of the school, setting up and maintaining robust systems and processes, and ensuring rigorous prudent financial management. The senior leadership team are accountable for the day to day decisions and running of the school. All staff members are employees of the academy trust.

Scheme of Delegation

Financial Delegated Authority

Companies House

Heckmondwike Grammar School Academy Trust is a registered company, limited by guarantee, in England and Wales. The trust’s registered company number is 07348329 and HGSAT is an exempt charity.

The company registered address is: Heckmondwike Grammar School, Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, WF16 0AH.

Register of Business Interests

Governors hold an important public office and their identity should be known to their school and wider communities. The register gives information of any relevant business interests of the governors and details of any other educational establishments they govern. The register also sets out any relationships between governors and members of the school staff including spouses, partners and relatives.

Memorandum and Articles of Association

The academy’s memorandum and articles of association set out the internal management, decision-making and running of the academy trust and its liability. They form an annex to the funding agreement for each academy.

Funding Agreement

The Funding Agreement is the contract between the Secretary of State for Education and the academy. It sets out the terms on which the academy is funded.

Annual Reports and Accounts

Heckmondwike Grammar School Academy Trust is charitable trust and a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales, company number 07348329. The Academy is required to prepare and submit audited annual financial statements to the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) and Companies House. The form of the financial statements is set by the Companies Acts and the Charities applicable Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP).

Copies of the latest financial statements are available here:

Academy Trust Handbook

The Academy Trust Handbook is the financial management requirements that apply to academy trusts. Academy trusts must comply with this handbook as a condition of their funding agreement. It provides an overarching framework for implementation of effective financial management and control.

The Academy Trust Handbook requires us to publish the following information:

Please note we are not required to publish info on the gender pay gap under the Equalities Act 2010 (Specific Duties & Public Authorities) Regulations 2017, as we have fewer than 250 employees.