effective and accountable governance in multi-academy … · acceptance of corporate vision...
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Freedom and Autonomy for Schools – National Associationwww.fasna.org.uk
Joan Binder
Vice Chair, FASNA
Jane Aukett
Vice Chair, Tollbar Academy
and FASNA Board member
Effective and Accountable Governance in Multi-Academy Trusts
Freedom and Autonomy for Schools – National Associationwww.fasna.org.uk
Strategic governance overview
The principles of effective governance in a MAT – joining up the leadership
The role and responsibilities of effective chairs and clerking at all levels in the structure
Developing governance structures as the MAT expands
FASNA member case study evidencing success
Freedom and Autonomy for Schools – National Associationwww.fasna.org.uk
Principles of governance accountability in a MAT
Members, Trustees, Committee members all understand their roles
Clarity of accountability paramount – who is responsible to whom for what?
Clear Scheme of Delegation
Skills-based appointments at all layers
Clear link between all layers
Effective governance – a shared responsibility
Freedom and Autonomy for Schools – National Associationwww.fasna.org.uk
Multi Academy Structure
Multi Academy Trust (MAT)MAT consists of:
MembersBoard of Trustees
Together agree vision for the MATBoard delegates responsibilities to committees
DfE
Academy 1
Academy 2 etc
Master Funding Agreement
All Academies
Academy 1 Governance Committee
Academy 2 Governance Committee
Supplemental Funding
Agreements
Other Committeese.g. Finance, HR
Freedom and Autonomy for Schools – National Associationwww.fasna.org.uk
Principle 1 – Understand the role in effective governance
Members
Overarching Accountability
Appoint Trustees
Board of Trustees
Legal Entity and Accountability
Determine Scheme of Delegation
Appoint committee members
Committees – Finance, HR, Academy Governance Committee
Comply with Scheme of Delegation
No legal recognition
Freedom and Autonomy for Schools – National Associationwww.fasna.org.uk
Principle 2 – Who is responsible to whom for what?
Academy Governance Committee – the layer where the core
governance function of ‘Holding the Headteacher to Account’ is going to be undertaken most effectively
Reporting to the Board
Board of Trustees – ensures all governance functions undertaken through
Committees or other Structure
Members
No regular involvement in undertaking governance functions
Freedom and Autonomy for Schools – National Associationwww.fasna.org.uk
Principle 3 – Clear Scheme of Delegation
Board of Trustees determine the scheme Identify areas of decision making responsibility Different schemes for different schools Basis of ‘earned autonomy’ How the chair of the committee is determined Reporting structure to the Board Top down and bottom up accountability Meeting cycle and clerking arrangements
Freedom and Autonomy for Schools – National Associationwww.fasna.org.uk
Principle 4 – Skills based appointments
Important when setting up a MAT or expanding Qualifications a guide Range of experiences and responsibilities needed Identify qualities needed at each layer Advertise and interview Use to evaluate contribution of Trustees and
academy governance committee members Can identify important contribution at academy
level
Freedom and Autonomy for Schools – National Associationwww.fasna.org.uk
Principle 5 – Clear link between layers
Consider: One Member a Trustee One Trustee sits on academy governance
committee Trustees appoint chairs of all committees Role of academy governance committee chair in
communication Relationship between CEO, headteachers, Trustees,
academy governance committee
Freedom and Autonomy for Schools – National Associationwww.fasna.org.uk
Principle 6 – Shared governance
or Joining up the leadership
Governance must be a shared responsibility
Linking the executive and non-executive leaders
CEO may be a Trustee
Finance Director
Who undertakes role of chair at any level crucial in shared governance
Acceptance of corporate vision essential
Freedom and Autonomy for Schools – National Associationwww.fasna.org.uk
Principle 6 - Joining up the leadership and governance
Board of Trustees
Chief Executive Officer
Executive Principal
Governance Committee
HT HTHT
Finance Director
HR Manager Estates Manager
HTs of individual academies
Governance committees
Freedom and Autonomy for Schools – National Associationwww.fasna.org.uk
Identifies the principles of effective and accountable governance in a MAT
A stand-alone publication- integrates well with FASNA’s publication
‘Effective Governance’
Free to FASNA members
Freedom and Autonomy for Schools – National Associationwww.fasna.org.uk
Role of clerk – Strategic overview
Clerking is not just minute taking. Consider:
Relationship with Chair, CEO, Academy Principals Provision of advice and ensure compliance with
regulations, procedures, Company and Charity Law Line management of all clerks to ensure consistency Co-ordination of agenda, documentation, meeting
cycles CPD – education landscape and new initiatives Understanding of how to evidence effective governance Link to Company Secretary role
Freedom and Autonomy for Schools – National Associationwww.fasna.org.uk
Role and responsibilities of the Chair
Strategic thinker and planner
Providing effective leadership
Able to focus meetings and manage debates
Open and honest relationship with executive leaders – performance management
Good communicator
Ensures compliance – governance, financial handbook, statutory duties and policies, funding agreement etc
Ensures self-review, Board review, succession planning
The Three Layers of Governance• Members – 3
• Consider these the shareholders.
• Board of Trustees – 11
• Strategic body sets vision, ethos and policies.
• Academy Governance Committees
• Focus on key educational activities of the Academy.
Ensuring Roles and Responsibilities are Understood
• Scheme of delegation is the document that leads on this.
• Induction and training.
• Chairs are appointed by Board.
• Standardised reporting format.
• MAT wide policies. Key areas managed centrally.
• The Board remains the accountable body.
How to Manage Growth - Executive
CEO
DCEO
Primary Executive Head
Secondary Executive Head
Chief Finance Officer
Finance Officer
Information Communications
Officer
Deputy Information Communications
Officer
HR Officer
Deputy HR Officer
How to Manage Growth - Governance• Skills audit across all levels
• Advertise
• Approach local Chamber of Commerce
• Request short c.v.
• Interview
Linking Layers and the Executive• Currently all members are Trustees.
• There is at least one Trustee (the Chair) sitting on each academy governance committee.
• Enabled some governance committees to nominate a member (governor) to sit on the Trust.
• CEO is a Trustee.
• Key personnel from the Executive Team attend meetings.
Freedom and Autonomy for Schools – National Associationwww.fasna.org.uk
Come and see us today at the FASNA stand no. A57
Freedom and Autonomy for Schools – National Associationwww.fasna.org.uk
Seminars led by FASNA today
13:45 – 14:30 (Theatre 2)School leadership needs to be re-defined – leadership needs to be joined-up
Freedom and Autonomy for Schools – National Associationwww.fasna.org.uk
Now includes new update on the Principles of Accountable and Effective Governance
in a Multi Academy Trust
FREE to FASNA membersTo order copies, please email [email protected], or call 0115 917 0142
Cost £10 per copy (plus P&P for under 5 copies)Available to buy at Stand A57
Reviews received:Outstanding!‘If you buy one book to help improve your governing body, make it this one’
Top guide for school improvement‘An excellent help to Governors on how to ensure the all the children in their school get the best possible education’
Freedom and Autonomy for Schools – National Associationwww.fasna.org.uk
"I welcome this new publication as a practitioners’ guide with a wealth of up to date examples from successful schools around the country” Peter Lauener, Chief Executive of the Education Funding Agency (EFA)
"This publication is a must-read for aspiring and practising School Business Managers, Headteachers and governors!” Stephen Morales, Executive Director, National Association of School Business Management
FREE to FASNA membersTo order copies, please email [email protected], or call 0115 917 0142
Cost £13 per copy (plus P&P for under 5 copies)Available to buy at Stand A57
Freedom and Autonomy for Schools – National Associationwww.fasna.org.uk
Access to seminars and workshops focusing on:
Converting to academy status, starting, growing or joining a MAT – a complete package of on-going support
Professional development for Governors
Dealing with rising cost pressures – a curriculum-led model
Role of Clerk to Governors
Bespoke governance reviews
Admissions and admission appeals
All of our seminars can be offered as bespoke sessions for your school
Freedom and Autonomy for Schools – National Associationwww.fasna.org.uk
Email: [email protected]
Office: 0115 917 0142
Website: www.fasna.org.uk