Academy Trusts are organizations that manage a group of Academies, which are publicly funded schools in England. They operate independently of local authority control, allowing for more flexibility in their curriculum and management. Each trust is responsible for the performance and governance of its schools, ensuring they meet educational standards. These trusts can be formed by groups of schools or by a single school that wishes to expand. They receive funding directly from the Department for Education and are accountable for how they use these funds to improve student outcomes and school facilities.