Governance Structure and Roles

Trust Members

Our Trust has 3 appointed Members who have a wholly strategic view of our Multi-academy Trust (MAT), setting out the vision and values and ensuring they are adhered to. Trust Members provide challenge to, and scrutiny of, our Trustees in relation to the Governance and operation of our Trust; with a focus on core purpose, charitable objectives, ethos and value.

Members meet at least once per year, plus attending the Annual General Meeting (AGM). The AGM is where the Members are able to question the Trustees and be assured that the Trust is continuing to work with our shared values to deliver on our mission for children.

Members are also able to attend any Full Board or Committee meeting throughout the year.

Read our Member Biographies

Trustees

Our Trust Board comprises of a skills-based group of 10 Trustees, selected for their expertise in School Standards, Finance, Buildings / Services, Legal and Compliance, Audit and People (Human Resources). Our Trustees meet six times a year and attend the AGM. Trustees ensure that all academies in our Trust deliver on the mission and provide support and challenge to the Central Trust team, as well as holding individual academies to account when required. They have a key oversight role as well as being involved in the management and delivery of MAT services.

Read our Trustee Biographies

Trust Committees

There are four sub-committees of the Trust Board:

Audit and Risk Committee
The Audit and Risk Committee provides assurance over the suitability of, and compliance with, the Trust's financial systems and controls. It meets to consider the financial security of the Trust and its approach to risk management in all aspects of its activities. The Audit and Risk Committee meets at least three times a year and reports back to the Members and the Trustees. The committee has a key function in ensuring the legitimate and effective use of public money and holding to the values of probity and transparency and the guidance in the Academy Trust Handbook.

Finance and Resources Committee
This committee looks at all matters in relation to the effective and efficient use of physical, financial and human resources across the Trust. This will include scrutinising financial monitoring, planning and budget setting, capital planning and people / human resources strategies. The committee will be key to the Trust’s work in identifying and utilising resources in order to fulfil the Trust’s mission and goals

Trust Committees

Quality of Education Committee
This committee focuses on standards, outcomes and provision within all of the Trust academies. The committee receives a report from the CEO and / or Director of School Improvement and is tasked with providing both support and challenge to the Trust in its central role of delivering on its mission to nurture ambition, delivering excellence and enriching children’s lives. The Committee’s focus is on schools “at risk” and / or within an Ofsted category and whether the Trust resources have been used effectively to support rapid improvement.

Pay and Performance Review Committee
The Trustees’ Pay and Performance Committee meets at least three times a year, with the main focus of reviewing the performance of Executive roles in our Trust.  This ensures transparency and probity and is an important governance responsibility on behalf of the main Trustee Board.  Executive roles are the senior leadership team for the Trust e.g. CEO, CFOO, Directors and also Headteachers in our schools.  This ensures that summary reviews are scrutinised and that any pay recommendations are robustly and independently reviewed.  
The whole provision of performance review and pay and reward in our Trust is considered by this group, with information provided by the Director of People. Trustees are consulted and have an opportunity to contribute, and challenge pay and reward arrangements.  
 
Trustees consider whether Performance Review is relevant to the development needs of leaders, is appropriately benchmarked and is in accordance with the Academy Trust Handbook regulations.

Executive Group

Reporting to the Trustees, the Executive Group (EG) comprises of CEO, CFOO, Central Team Directors and Headteachers from each of our academies.   Other colleagues may be asked to attend from time to time.  The EG meets at least termly and plays a vital role in the day-to-day running and organisation of the Trust. The EG advises and informs Trustees, though does not form part of the formal governance structure.

Meet our Executive Group here

Chairs' / Vice-Chairs' Network

This group is an advisory body consisting of Chairs and Vice-Chairs of the Local Governing Boards of each of our academies.  The Board meets with the Chair and / or Vice-Chair of the Trust Board, and Members and other Trustees can attend should they wish.

This group meets at least three times a year and provides guidance to the Trustees, though does not form part of the formal governance structure.

Local Governing Boards

Local Governing Boards (LGBs) operate as the “eyes and ears” of Trustees to ensure each academy is led and managed effectively in accordance with the powers as set out in the Trust’s Scheme of Governance and Delegation. At academy level, LGBs examine Quality of Education, Personal Development, Behaviour and Attitudes, Leadership and Management, with a focus on Curriculum, Culture, Children and the Community.

Trust Chief Executive Officer

Our Trust has a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) who works for the Trust and also serves as the Accounting Officer. It is the CEO's job to ensure that our MAT operates in the way that the Trustees have envisaged and within the relevant DfE and ESFA regulations and guidance.

Meet our CEO here

Trust Senior Leadership Team

The CEO also has responsibility for standards across the Trust academies and will report back to the Trust Board at least 5 times a year.

An Annual General Meeting (AGM) is held alongside the Trust Board meeting in the autumn term each year, at which Members will be present and be able to ask the Trust Board questions regarding their performance over the year.

Our CEO is supported by a Trust Senior Leadership Team who work together and with schools to deliver on our goals.

Meet our Trust Senior Leadership Team here