​MAT Governance Model

Within this model each academy will either operate with an Advisory Board or an LGB
dependent on the needs of each academy. Where an academy is classed as good/outstanding and has a strong governing body with high participation they may operate the LGB model. An academy judged to be less than good or with recruitment issues at an LGB level will operate using the Advisory Board model.

External reviews are commissioned across each academy (regardless of whether they have an LGB or Advisory Board) within the MAT to focus on:

● Teaching and Learning review by former HMI.
● Health and Safety review - termly (conducted by Hansam).
● Annual safeguarding review.

Additional financial scrutiny is carried about by the Executive Board after each financial
document is submitted to the MAT website through Executive Board Financial Challenge
and Scrutiny form.

LGB Details
Local Governing Body (LGB)

The LGB will run as a traditional Governing Body and will have powers delegated to it by the Executive Board linked to finance, standards and recruitment - see scheme of delegation.

Advisory Board Details

Each Advisory Board​ will consist of:
● A Chair of the group (voted for by the group and verified by the MAT Exec Board).
● A staff representative of the school
● Two parental representatives.
● An external HT to provide challenge and rigour to the process.
● The serving HT of the school will attend all meetings.
*Advisory Boards will meet for a total of 3 days (15 hours) each academic year to carry out
QuAD (Quality Assurance Day) meetings. It is up to each Advisory Board to determine
whether that is in the format of 3 day meetings, 6 half days or a different combination. The
vast majority of the meetings should occur within the school day to allow for an in-depth look
at teaching and learning to triangulate with the school data.
**There is an understanding across the MAT that should governance at any point become
fragile due to strategic direction or recruitment/retention of governors then they will adopt the
Advisory Board model.
***For financial spends and delegated powers see the Advisory Board scheme of delegation.
****The Chair of the Advisory Board will be invited to each Executive Board finance meeting
where the school’s finance are scrutinised and budgets ratified.

Remit
The role of the Advisory Board is to focus on teaching and learning along with community links. All financial scrutiny and responsibility will be held at the Executive Board level along with standards. The Advisory Board will have an overview of such items but they will not be accountable for these areas.

Advisory Board QuAD Structure
Each meeting of the Advisory Board will follow the structure below and will be recorded on an Advisory Board QuAD review sheet.

Autumn Term QuAD

Focus:
✓ Learning walk​ of the school led by the external HT with a specific focus on the core
subjects​. Evidence will be taken through lessons sampled, pupil voice, books,
coaching logs, data and other forms. The Chair of the Board and the External HT will
complete the Summary Advisory Board form.
✓ Standards​ and data ​will be scrutinised by the team and the performance of the
school challenged. This will will be recorded by the clerk.
✓ Policies​ at a school level will be approved by the team.
✓ Sample of three people on the SCR for compliance.
✓ Analysis of community voice.

Spring Term QuAD

Focus:
✓ Learning walk​ of the school led by the external HT with a specific focus on the core
subjects​. Evidence will be taken through lessons sampled, pupil voice, books,
coaching logs, data and other forms. The Chair of the Board and the External HT will
complete the Summary Advisory Board form.
✓ Standards​ and data ​will be scrutinised by the team and the performance of the
school challenged. This will will be recorded by the clerk.
✓ Policies​ at a school level will be approved by the team.
✓ Sample of three people on the SCR for compliance.
✓ Analysis of community voice.

Summer Term QuAD

Focus:
✓ Learning walk​ of the school led by the external HT with a specific focus on the
Cornerstones Curriculum​. Evidence will be taken through lessons sampled, pupil
voice, books, coaching logs, data and other forms.The Chair of the Board and the
External HT will complete the Summary Advisory Board form.
✓ Standards​ and data ​will be scrutinised by the team and the performance of the
school challenged. This will will be recorded by the clerk.
✓ Policies​ at a school level will be approved by the team.
✓ Sample of three people on the SCR for compliance.
✓ Analysis of community voice.

Community Voice

In order for the MAT Board of Trustees and the Advisory Board to gain the widest view
possible of the school’s standing within the community a separate ‘Community Group’ will be established by the school with a cross section of the community invited. Following each community meeting the ‘Community Voice’ form will be completed by all attendees. This information will then be analysed by the MAT Executive Board and the Advisory Board.

Areas addressed by the Executive Board

Whilst the Advisory Board will take on the role of driving and monitoring school improvement linked to teaching and learning, the Executive Board will take responsibility for the following areas:

● Health and Safety issues including premises.
● Finance
● Staffing
● Standards - the Advisory Board will look at standards linked to the QUAD days but
in-depth analysis will take place at Executive Board meetings.