Wigmore School
Academy Trust

Academy Governance

GOVERNANCE

Governance of Wigmore Academy Trust consists of two tiers – Members and Trustees. The Trust is both a registered company and a charity.

MEMBERS

There are five members (listed below) who help to ensure that Academy Trustees are exercising effective governance. Their powers are limited but include:

• Appointing and removing Academy Trustees.

• Appointing and removing Academy Members.

• Directing Academy Trustees through special resolutions if the Trustees are failing to carry out their core functions or acting unlawfully.

• Amending the Academy Trust’s Articles of Association.

• Appointing and removing Auditors.

Members meet at least annually and receive audited accounts and an annual report from the Trustees.

TRUSTEES

There are 10 Trustees and they include the Executive Headteacher and two parent representatives. The Trustees have also co-opted a member of staff. Their range of skills cover finance, project management, personnel, safeguarding, educational leadership and business and community understanding.

The Trustees are directors of the company and are responsible for adhering to both company and charity law.

Their main functions are:

• Ensure clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction.

• Hold the senior leadership to account for the educational performance of the schools and their pupils and the effective performance management of staff.

• Oversee the financial performance of the Trust and make sure that its money is well spent.

The Trustees employ a Governance Professional who guides them and advises them in their work and keeps a record of all their meetings as well as maintaining a register of Trustees’ interests.

The Trust Board meets seven times each year and has two sub-committees. The audit, risk and finance committee monitors the budget, prepares and receives the annual audit and reviews the current risk register. The performance management committee oversees the performance review of staff, including the Executive Headteacher.

DECLARATION OF INTERESTS