Academies

If your school is an academy or considering becoming one, or part of a multi- academy trust, you can find key information here to support your governing body before, during and after conversion.

• Understanding the role of Trustees

  Governance in academy trusts operates at a number of levels and for it to be effective, it is crucial that Members, Trustees, and those involved in governance at local level in multi-academy trusts, all understand their role and responsibilities.

  Consultant: Steve Barker February 2022

• Role of local governance in Academies - 17th November - 12 noon

  Academy trusts operate a variety of governance models and use a number of different names for the arrangements they have in place at individual schools and groups of schools. This webinar explored the basic principles of governance, within academies, and how the trust's Scheme of Delegation, outlines what has been delegated. We reflected on how, at local level, those responsible for governance should be fulfilling the expectations of their role.

  Consultant: Steve Barker November 2021

• Academy Trust Handbook – what academy governors need to know (Recorded September 2021)

  The Academy Trust Handbook 2021 replaces the Academies Financial Handbook from 2020; its new title heralds some significant changes to this annual publication. This webinar outlined on the key changes that impact on the work of those involved in academy trust governance.

  Consultant: Steve Barker September 2021

• Understanding your Trust’s Scheme of Delegation (Recorded June 2021)

  This webinar was aimed at those involved in governance in academies and explored the role and function of the Scheme of Delegation. We focused on the principles of delegation and how these should inform the structure of the trust's Scheme of Delegation, and ultimately shape the work of governance at local level.

  Consultant: Steve Barker June 2021

• The role of Members in academy trusts - Podcast

  This podcast features our two governance experts; Steve Barker and Linda Waghorn in conversation on the role and responsibilities of Members in academy trusts.

  Consultant: Steve Barker January 2021

• Understanding Internal Scrutiny Webinar (September 2020)

  The Academies Financial Handbook 2020 strengthened regulations relating to Internal Scrutiny. This webinar explored the role of the trust board in ensuring all elements of compliance are met, including the new requirement for qualified independent assurance to be in place. We focused on what trustees should expect to see in internal scrutiny, the breadth of its remit and how the board should demonstrate compliance and responsiveness to any recommendations coming out of the process. The role of internal scrutiny is to ensure that financial controls and risk management procedures are robust and effective in all trusts.

  Consultant: Steve Barker August 2020

• Academies Financial Handbook 2020 - what governors need to know webinar (Recorded July 2020)

  This Better Governor webinar explores the key changes to the newly published Academies Financial Handbook, which comes into force on 1st September this year. This session is relevant for all those involved in academy governance, including; Members, Trustees, those involved at local academy level in multi-academy trusts, and clerks.

  Consultant: Steve Barker July 2020

• Academies Financial Handbook 2020 published

  Academies Financial Handbook 2020 published

  Consultant: Steve Barker June 2020

• Academies Financial Update Webinar (Recorded Nov 2019)

  This webinar provides trustees and others involved in governance within academies and free schools, with an update on effective governance of finance within the academy sector in 2019, moving forward into 2020. We will focus on recent updates from the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA), the 2019 Academies Financial Handbook and the recently introduced School Resource Management Self-assessment tool.

  Consultant: Steve Barker November 2019

• Related Party Transactions

  The Education & Skills Funding Agency has introduced new statutory requirements on Academy Trusts, on related party transactions from 1st April 2019.

  Consultant: Steve Barker April 2019