Governance

Members, Trustees and local governors give their time voluntarily and do not receive any form of payment.  They offer their considerable skills and expertise from a varied and wide background to support our schools and leadership teams to do the very best for our children.

Within our Board of Trustees we have a qualified solicitor, an accountant and people with a wide experience of business in the private sector and large public organisations.  Our Trustees are a huge support and also offer appropriate challenge for the leadership of our schools.

The Board of Trustees are very well supported by the Local Governing Bodies that exist in individual schools. Local Governing Bodies are made up of parents and community representatives and in our church schools by representatives of the local church.  The Local Governing Bodies provide the local context and the challenge and support to the Headteacher, ensuring the very best local provision is given in each of our schools.  The Local Governing Bodies are also able to influence and communicate with the Trustees on big decisions that the Trust needs to make going forward.

Members have an overview of governance arrangements and are granted specific rights under the Articles of Association and the Academies Financial Handbook. Ultimate accountability lies with the Board of Trustees. The division of roles and responsibilities between Members, Trustees and Local Governing Bodies is set out in detail in the Scheme of Delegation and the Local Governing Bodies Terms of Reference which appear below.

As a Trust we are very grateful for the time given by the individuals who make up our Members, Trustees, and Local Governing Bodies without which it would simply not be possible to run a successful Trust.

Collecting and publishing diversity data – statement from the Board

‘The Board believe it is important that we reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. Diverse Boards promote inclusive school environments and provide diverse role models for staff and young people.  We collect data on the diversity of the Board, including age, ethnicity, gender and religion and use this data to inform our recruitment and training needs and ensure there is always a diverse range of perspectives around the table to support robust decision making.  We do not publish diversity data online as individual Trustees could be identified and we have a legal obligation to protect their personal data.’