Welcome to the Governance page of the Creative Learning Partnership Trust where transparency, accountability and effective leadership converge to shape the future of our educational community. 

In this section, we invite you to explore the vital role played by governance in steering the course of our Trust schools towards excellence.  Discover the commitment, expertise and unwavering dedication that defines our governance structure, ensuring that every child's educational journey is marked by championing opportunities. 

Our Governance Structure

Our governance structure brings together Members, Trustees and Academy Governors, each with a distinct but connected role. Together, they provide strategic leadership, accountability and assurance, helping to ensure that every school within the Trust provides a high-quality and inclusive education.

Governance is strategic rather than operational. Members, Trustees and Academy Governors do not manage the day-to-day running of the Trust or its schools. Instead, they provide support, constructive challenge and oversight, holding leaders to account for the decisions they make and the outcomes achieved.

Academy Governors (Local Governing Boards (LGB))

Academy Governors serve on a school’s Local Governing Board and provide an important link between the school, its community and the Trust Board.

Working collectively, Academy Governors support and challenge the Headteacher and school leadership team. They develop a detailed understanding of their school and consider whether it is delivering the best possible education and support for all pupils.

Their responsibilities include:

• monitoring the school’s priorities, improvement plans and educational performance;
• seeking assurance about safeguarding, attendance, behaviour, SEND and pupil welfare;
• considering the experiences and wellbeing of pupils and staff;
• engaging with parents, pupils, staff and the wider community;
• monitoring how the school reflects the Trust’s vision, values and strategic priorities;
• reviewing information and asking constructive, appropriately challenging questions;
• identifying local risks, successes and areas for development; and
• reporting relevant information and escalating significant concerns to the Trust Board.

The responsibilities and decision-making powers delegated to Academy Governors are set out in the Trust’s Scheme of Delegation. The Trust Board remains legally accountable for the Trust and all of its schools.

Trustees (Board of Trustees)

Trustees are both the company directors and charity trustees of the Academy Trust. Collectively, the Trust Board is the legally accountable body responsible for the governance of the Trust and all the academies within it.

Trustees provide strategic leadership by setting the Trust’s vision, values, culture and long-term direction. They hold the Chief Executive Officer and executive leadership team to account for the educational, financial and operational performance of the Trust.

Their responsibilities include:

• setting and reviewing the Trust’s strategic priorities;
• ensuring that pupils receive a high-quality and inclusive education;
• overseeing educational performance and school improvement;
• safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils;
• ensuring the effective and appropriate use of public funds;
• approving and monitoring the Trust’s budget and financial strategy;
• overseeing risk management, internal control and assurance;
• ensuring that the Trust’s buildings and estates are safe and well maintained;
• ensuring compliance with legal, regulatory, contractual and statutory requirements;
• appointing, supporting and holding the Chief Executive Officer to account; and
• ensuring that the Trust remains sustainable and acts in accordance with its charitable purpose.

Trustees make decisions collectively. Although responsibilities may be delegated to committees or Local Governing Boards, the Trust Board retains overall accountability for the Trust.

Members (Board of Members) 

Members are the custodians of the Academy Trust’s governance arrangements. Their role is similar to that of shareholders within a company, although they do not own the Trust or receive any financial benefit from it.

Members operate at a high level and do not become involved in the day-to-day management of the Trust or carry out the responsibilities of Trustees. Their primary role is to ensure that the Trust remains true to its charitable purpose and that the Trust Board is governing effectively.

Their responsibilities include:

• appointing Trustees in accordance with the Trust’s Articles of Association;
• ensuring that the Trust Board has the appropriate skills and expertise;
• receiving the Trust’s audited annual report and accounts;
• considering the effectiveness of the Trust’s governance arrangements;
• ensuring that Trustees are acting in accordance with the Trust’s charitable objects;
• attending and making decisions at general meetings; and
• using their powers to intervene where there is evidence that governance is failing.

Members also have certain reserved legal powers, including the power to remove Trustees and to approve specific changes to the Trust’s constitutional arrangements.

Members provide oversight of governance, while Trustees remain responsible for directing and overseeing the work of the Trust.

 

If you would like to join us on this journey of responsible and visionary educational governance, please contact jfrancis@creativelrng.com