Governance

Information on governance of the Trust, including our Board of Trustees.

Our Governance Structure 

  • Trust Members Board (4 Members) 
  • Board of Trustees (9 Member-appointed Non-Executive Directors, plus others co-opted by the Board of Trustees) 
  • Academy Community Councils (generally 5-9 members but no formal maximum) 

Members 

Our Members have a diverse range of experience but a shared passion for education. In line with the Academy Trust Handbook requirements for Members to be regularly appraised of Trust performance and issues, the Members meet twice per year, including holding an Annual General Meeting in the autumn term. Other meetings may be held in addition if deemed necessary. 

The core functions of the Members are: 

  • To amend the articles of Association 
  • To appoint or remove Members 
  • To appoint or remove Trustees 
  • To issue direction to the Trustees to take specific action 
  • To appoint the Trust auditors and receive the Trust Annual Accounts 
  • To change the name of the company and, ultimately, to wind it up 

Board of Trustees 

As Directors of a charitable Trust, our Board of Trustees ensure that they comply with charity and company law.  The Board is also accountable in law and to Ofsted for the Trust’s performance. 

The Board of Trustees is strategic in function, providing overall leadership for the Trust and therefore for the schools without being involved in or responsible for the day-to-day management. As set out in the Academy Trust Handbook, the purpose of the Trust Board is to provide:

  • Strategic leadership of the Academy Trust: the Board defines the Trust vision for high quality and inclusive education in line with its charitable objects. It establishes and fosters the Trust’s culture and sets and champions the Trust strategy including determining what, if any, governance functions are delegated to the local tier
  • Accountability and assurance: the Board has robust effective oversight of the operations and performance of the Academy Trust, including the provision of education, pupil welfare, overseeing and ensuring appropriate use of funding and effective financial performance and keeping their estate safe and well maintained
  • Engagement: The Board has strategic oversight of relationships with stakeholders. The Board involves parents, schools and communities so that decision-making is supported by meaningful engagement. 

The Board of Trustees meets four times per year. 

Sub-committees 

The Board of Trustees has the following sub-committees:  

  • Education 
  • Audit, Risk and Finance  
  • HR and Pay 
  • An Academy Community Council for each school 

As a Multi-Academy Trust, the Board is responsible for all Academies in the Trust.  They exercise this responsibility by delegating functions to the sub-committees including Academy Community Councils, the Trust Executive Team and school leaders through the Scheme of Delegation. 

Academy Community Councils 

Each school in our Trust has an Academy Community Council which has a membership of parents, carers and community stakeholders. Academy Community Council members are champions for education in their school’s community. Their role is advisory, focussed on strengthening community voice and engagement, and providing valuable local insight to inform Trust-wide decision making.

Academy Community Councils have five core responsibilities:

1. Enhancing the School Offer

Supporting and adding value to the school’s offer, informed by the School Improvement Plan (SIP). 

2. Championing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Helping ensure the school community reflects and serves all children, families and stakeholders effectively.

3. Building Community Connections

Acting as ambassadors for the school and developing meaningful partnerships within the school and wider community.

4. Providing Contextual Insight to the Board

Sharing local intelligence, community perspectives, opportunities and challenges to support Board decision-making.

5. Positively Contributing to Wellbeing

Promoting the wellbeing of pupils and staff through engagement, discussion and feedback informed by surveys, pupil voice and direct involvement with the school community.

Scheme of Delegation

The Scheme of Delegation sets out the Trust’s approach to delegations between the different layers of governance within the Trust. Trustees review the Scheme of Delegation on at least an annual basis. The current Scheme of Delegation can be found on the Governance Documents page within the Statutory Information section of this website.

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