Governance Framework
Governance Framework
Our Members
Members provide annual oversight of the Trust and have the responsibility to safeguard successful governance and performance, alongside compliance with the Trust’s Charitable objects, in accordance with The Articles of Association. The Members appoint The Trustees to the Trust Board.
Diocese
The Diocese of Chelmsford provides three of the Trust’s four members and also appoints a Diocesan Advisor to each school to support it to fulfil its duties as a school with a religious character built on a Church of England foundation.
Trust Board
The decision-making body responsible for setting the strategic direction of the Trust. Legally accountable and responsible for all aspects of the performance of the Trust, its finances and its schools whilst preserving the religious character of the Trust. Trustees establish systems to assure themselves of the quality, safety and good practices of the Trust.
Trust Board Committees
Established by the Trust Board with delegated responsibilities to review, scrutinise and discuss key areas to gain sufficient understanding and oversight to be able to inform the Trust Board of compliance, success and development needs of the schools. These committees provide support and challenge to School Leaders to seek assurance of continual school improvement. These Committees include (but are not limited to): The Standards Board, The Finance, Audit and Risk Board and School Governance Boards.
School Governance Boards
Schools will benefit from the type of board that will be most effective for them, from the options below:
1. School Governance Board for a single school
2. School Governance Board for a group of schools, usually where there is an Executive Headteacher.
3. School Governance Board for two schools, usually for schools who are in the same area or already work very closely together.
Governance Framework
Frequently asked questions
It is designed to help governing boards assess what knowledge, skills and behaviours are needed to govern the school, or groups of schools, most effectively.
It forms the bridge between the trust board and its schools. It creates two-way communication between the trust board chair and local chairs. There is clear separation between each layer of governance.
The MAT board of trustees can delegate governance functions to school governance boards. The board can decide how much power to delegate to each board.
Our governance structure allows us to evolve with the growth of the trust.