We can advise from the outset in terms of the structure and governance of your school. We can, in particular, support members and trustees of academy trusts to understand their role and duties. We provide governance training to members and trustees, so that everyone is clear on their responsibilities and the appropriate interaction between members, trustees and the trust’s SLT. Our legal specialists can also advise day to day in terms of any conflicts or questions that you have relating to either company or charity law.
Our education team are able to support you with any amendments that need to be made to your governing document. We regularly advise Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs) on amending Articles of Association and seeking DfE consent to changes and indeed, where appropriate, Charity Commission consent.
Our education solicitors are experienced in supporting academies and independent schools by conducting an external governance audit. This includes meeting with individual governors and the senior leadership team to understand what is working well. We would also attend a governors meeting and would consider, for example, the skill set of existing governors and review the committee structure and previous minutes of governor meetings to seek to understand how effectively the existing governance structure is operating. We would then provide a report with any recommendations. Our team will be pleased to provide your governors with training on a number of areas including in relation to their obligations as charity trustees and directors.
The DfE requires academies to submit applications for approval where a trust is making significant changes, for example, in relation to age range; physical capacity; SEN type; or adding a DEN unit. Our team is well versed in advising on the process and supporting academies with Deeds of Variation and amendments to your Funding Agreements.