No links to the Cayman Islands, says academy trust’s leader. But its “sponsor” is registered there, published accounts state

An academy trust chief executive has denied that the chain he oversees is “owned” by a US-controlled company –though in reality its governance structure is such that control sits with the latter.

And, though he denied a link between the trust and the Cayman Islands, which does not levy corporation or income tax, in fact the organisation the trust’s website lists as its “sponsor” is registered there, according to its UK subsidiary’s annual accounts.

James Freeston, chief executive of Aurora Academies Trust (AAT), wrote to parents as controversy continued around the proposed move by a federation of two schools in Brighton and Hove to join the organisation he leads.

As Education Uncovered has reported in the past 10 days, governors at West Hove Infant School and Hove Junior School – together comprising the Hove Learning Federation - have proposed academising and joining the seven-school AAT, which is based along the Sussex coast in Bexhill-on-Sea. The development, which is currently being discussed with the community through a consultation which closes next week, has provoked strong opposition, including from Brighton and Hove council.

The claim

In a letter to “Hove families” sent last week, Mr Freeston delivered a defence of his trust, and also sought to take on “misinformation” that he said was “being spread about Aurora that I do not think I can ignore”.