Governance arrangements
Burntwood became a grant maintained school in January 1992 and a Foundation school in September 1999. Burntwood converted to an Academy in May 2013 and subsequently adopted the Multi Academy Trust (MAT) Articles of Association in August 2017, establishing Burntwood Trust.
As an Academy, Burntwood is independent of the local authority. Funding comes directly from the Government and the Trustees are free to make decisions about the employment of staff, premises, the curriculum and all aspects of the school’s activities. The Trust are the Admissions Authority for the school but work within the statutory framework for admissions and as part of the Pan London arrangements for secondary school admissions.
At all levels, Burntwood Trust governance offers support and challenge to leaders and managers within the organisation, and is responsible for:
- Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;
- Holding executive leaders to account for the educational performance of the organisation and its pupils, and the effective and efficient performance management of staff; and
- Overseeing the financial performance of the organisation and making sure its money is well spent.
The Board of Trustees have overall responsibility for the educational and strategic direction of Burntwood Trust and operates according to the terms laid out in the Articles of Association. The Trustees are the directors of the Trust. The Trust is a company limited by guarantee with no share capital and is also an exempt charity.
Governance Structure
Members
The Members of the Trust oversee the Board of Trustees, holding the Trustees to account and ensuring that the values and ethos of the Trust are upheld. The Members meet at least once a year.
Board of Trustees
The Trustees are responsible for the actions of the Trust and are accountable to the Members, the Secretary of State for Education and the wider community for the quality of education and the expenditure of public money. Trustees meet at least 6 times a year as a board of Trustees.
Finance, Audit and Risk Committee
The Trustees delegate financial scrutiny and oversight of the Trust’s finances to this committee, who are responsible for ensuring there is sound internal control, risk management and assurance processes. They are made up of 6 Trustees and meet at least 3 times a year.
Standards and Performance Committee
The Trustees delegate the responsibility to ensure there is consistency in the delivery of a broad and balanced curriculum to this committee, in line with the Trust’s overarching strategic plan. The committee support with curriculum priority decision making and ensure that funding and resources are targeted to need. They are made up of 6 Trustees and meet at least 3 times a year.
Local Governing Body
The Trustees delegate aspects of governance and the day to day oversight of school leadership to the Local Governing Body, who are mostly made up of individuals drawn from the school’s community. The Local Governing Body are accountable to the Trustees and meet at least 3 times a year.
Scheme of Delegation
The Scheme of Delegation sets out where responsibilities and accountabilities sit within the Burntwood Trust Governance structure. It provides clarity as to the roles of those involved in the governance of the Academy and how decisions are made.
Meetings
Trustees and Governors meet at regular intervals each academic year. As well as attending their formal governance meetings, they are also invited to attend functions and events at the school.
Governance Meeting Attendance Record
Register of Pecuniary Interests
To ensure Trust transparency and openness, a register of the relevant business and pecuniary interests of members, trustees, local governors and the accounting officer is kept.