Trust Board

What is the role and purpose of the Trust Board?

The role of the trust board is defined in law as:

1. To ensure a clear vision, ethos and strategic direction for schools within the trust;
2. To hold the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the schools within the trust and the performance of staff; and
3. Oversee the financial performance of the trust and making sure its money is well spent.

This work is achieved through the actions of the full trust board, and the following committees:

• Quality of Education: considering matters relating to the curriculum, pupil achievement, teaching and learning, pupil welfare and safeguarding
• Staffing and finance.

The Trust Board’s job is to ensure the school provides the best education and care possible for each child.  We are here to support Mr Moore and his team, to recognise the great work they are doing and to challenge them to make our school even better.

We keep a sharp eye on the children's academic progress and their well being, the quality of the curriculum, teaching and the effectiveness of leadership.  We also make sure that our resources are carefully managed and the school offers the best environment possible for our children's education.  We hear appeals if an issue cannot be resolved by agreement. The Trust Board also considers the development of the Trust itself, guided by the Members.

How do we work?

The Trust Board and its committees meet regularly. We make decisions about how the school is run on a strategic level and what its priorities should be.  Our responsibilities include:

• Finding, keeping and rewarding good staff; making sure they develop their skills and knowledge; encouraging them to work together for the benefit of the children
• Monitoring the curriculum and the way it is taught so that our children enjoy learning, achieve their best and reach the standards expected of them
• Monitoring children's attainment and progress to check that all groups do well and that extra help is given to children who need it
• Keeping the children safe, promoting good behaviour and healthy habits; checking that we have policies to deal with bullying, racism, internet safety, visits and many other aspects of school life
• Managing our money wisely, making good choices about spending on staff, staff training, a wide range of services and consultancies, the condition of our buildings, playground and premises; overseeing the budgets and decisions on purchasing up to date equipment including furniture, computers, cameras, projectors, sports kit, art materials, music resources, books and software.

How do trustees know enough about education, the law, management and finance to make strategic decisions about all these matters?

We have reports from Mr Moore and other staff, we read reports from our external adviser, government departments and Ofsted, we attend courses and training.  We visit school to see what is going on and talk with teachers and children.  We take specialist advice from expert consultants.

Being a trustee is a huge responsibility.  We put in a lot of time and effort.  Longer serving governors do their best to help new governors get up to speed.

Some of us bring useful knowledge from our working life, some from our role in the community; we make different contributions but we all share a determination to do the best for our school and our children.  We are not paid but we find it very rewarding!

How can I become a trustee?

There are no vacancies on the Trust Board at present but we are always keen to meet parents and other members of the community who like to offer their time and energy if a place becomes available.

You may contact the Chair of Trustees through the school office.