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.

• The Governance of Risk in 2025 (Rec Jan '25)

  This Better Governor webinar, delivered by governance expert Steve Barker, explored what risk is within schools and why it needs to be on the governance radar. It ensured governors and trustees had clarity on the DfE expectations relating to risk in schools. This webinar also ensured governors and trustees are aware of best practice in the governance of risk in 2025.

  Consultant: Steve Barker January 2025

• The Academy Trust Handbook 2024 (Rec Sept '24)

  This Better Governor webinar, delivered by governance expert Steve Barker, explored the purpose of the Academy Trust Handbook. There was focus on the elements of the Academy Trust Handbook that are most relevant to the role, responsibilities and expectations of Trustees in Academy Trusts. There was also reflection on assurance that Trustees should be seeking to ensure compliance in their trusts.

  Consultant: Steve Barker September 2024

• What should Members in an Academy Trust do? (Recorded, Sept '24)

  This webinar delivered, by governance expert Steve Barker, briefly explored the structure of academies and the role that Members should play in their governance. Explored the role, responsibilities and expectations of Members in Academy Trusts and reflected on how Members should be ensuring effective governance in their trusts.

  Consultant: Steve Barker September 2024

• Academy Trust Quality Descriptors (Recorded May '24)

  This Better Governor webinar delivered by governance expert, Steve Barker, explored the rationale behind Trust Quality Descriptors and the role they will play in trusts’ future growth plans. Reflected on effective governance within the academy sector and how this sits alongside the descriptors. In addition, looked at how trust boards should engage with the descriptors to ensure that governance of their trust meets expectations.

  Consultant: Steve Barker May 2024

• Clerking in an Academy - what Clerks need to know (Recorded Jan '24)

  This webinar delivered by governance experts, Steve Barker and Linda Waghorn, provided attendees with an insight into the requirements of a clerk in an academy setting. It explored the nuances of the academy structures and procedures, and ensured attendees had clarity on the impact on clerking within an academy.

  Consultant: Steve Barker January 2024

• The Role of Members in an Academy Trust (RECORDED FEB 2023)

  This webinar explored the role of Members in academy trusts. We clarified the expectations of Members, as an integral part of governance within academies, highlighting how Members should be adopting a ‘eyes on – hands off’ stance to their role. It is crucial that Members understand their statutory responsibilities and maintain an overview of the effectiveness of governance in their trust, so that they are able to exercise their powers, should the need arise. This session was hosted by Steve Barker who is an experienced governor, trustee and Member of a multi academy trust. The session was a mix of input from Steve, combines with in-session polls and the opportunity to have your questions answered in real time

  Consultant: Steve Barker January 2023

• Internal scrutiny – the role of governance

  This Better Governor webinar was for Trustees in academy trusts and explored the subject of Internal Scrutiny, focusing on its role and function and the oversight of the process that trustees are expected to have. The webinar was led by our governance expert Steve Barker, who is an experienced academy governor and chairs an academy trust and is a Member in a MAT. The session was a mix on input from Steve combined with in-session polls with an opportunity to have questions answered in real time.

  Consultant: Steve Barker November 2022

• Strictly Education’s MAT Leader Survey results – Join our free webinar

  What we learned about academy trusts. Following publication of the March 2022 white paper, ‘Opportunity for All’, Strictly Education conducted a nationwide survey to provide insight into the business management and operational challenges faced by academy trusts.

  Consultant: Steve Barker August 2022

• 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