Trustees

The people on the main board of the LiFE MAT are known as Trustees. These roles come with specific legal responsibilities which include:

  • ensuring there is clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
  • holding executive leaders to account for the educational performance of the organisation and its pupils, and the performance management of staff
  • overseeing the financial performance of the organisation and making sure its money is well spent
  • ensuring the voices of stakeholders are heard

MATs are required to produce a ‘scheme of delegation’ which outlines what decisions are taken by whom and at what level of the organisation. MATs must also comply with the Academies Financial Handbook which acts as the financial framework for academy trusts and sets out the financial governance requirements that all trusts must adhere to.

Trust Committees

The Trust Board has 4 Committees:

Finance & Infrastructure (Chair: Andy Smith)

To develop, oversee, monitor and make recommendations to the Board on the Financial Strategy, forward Financial Plan and Financial Policies of the Trust in support of delivery of the Trust Strategic Plan.

Audit & Risk (Chair: David Maitland)

To determine and maintain oversight and review of the arrangements for independent checking of financial, governance, risk management and internal control systems and, transactions; review the risks to the internal control framework of the Trust.

School Improvement (Chair: Sue Dunford)

To support the Board in understanding the unique context of each academy whilst ensuring a consistent approach to reporting; support the Board in understanding relevant data, including performance, progress, outcomes, behaviour, attendance and other key indicators; support and challenge by linking the work of the committee to key priorities in the LiFE MAT Strategic Steering Wheel.

Pay & People (Chair: Liz Warren)

To develop, oversee, monitor and make recommendations to the Board on the People Strategy and HR Policies of the Trust in support of delivery of the Trust Strategic Plan.

LGB’s

(Governance In Our Schools)

LGB’s are authorised to act within their delegated powers granted to them by the Trust Board within the wider Trust Scheme, the Scheme of Delegation includes the purpose and expectations of the LGB’s. LGBs are responsible for holding the Headteacher and senior leadership of the school to account and for providing assurance to the Trust Board.