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Governance of academy trusts

governance of academy trusts

Free glossary of commonly used phrases for members and trustees of academy boards

Effective governance is an essential part of any organisation. School, academy and college governors have a difficult task – as unpaid volunteers they are responsible for providing effective leadership, direction and control of their schools and colleges. Good governance requires an active governing body working with a strong leadership team to create effective corporate governance throughout the organisation.

Our experienced team gives you access to experts (including National Leaders in Governance) in the full range of corporate and governance issues. Those relevant to the education sector include academy projects, governance structures, multi academy trust structures, joint ventures and commercial arrangements, collaboration, alliance arrangements and trading companies. Our team has an excellent reputation for providing practical, commercial and innovative advice.

what we do...

Advising on all constitutional matters and on conflicts of interest.
Governance training on a range of issues including legal duties, effective decision-making and the relationship between the board and leadership team.
Governance reviews and providing strategic support to the board.

Advising on EFA, DfE and OFSTED requirements.
Providing options appraisals.
Delivering horizon-scanning sessions for boards on latest developments/trends in the sector.

related resources

Back to school – preparing for a potential phased reopening of schools - 18 May 2020

This webinar looked at the implications of phased reopening of primary schools and explore some of the immediate issues’ schools are likely to experience.

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Legal updates

Coronavirus employer toolkit for schools and academies

HR and employment related resources to help schools and academies manage their people as best as they can during what is a very challenging time.

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Legal updates

Academy Transformation Trust share their initial approach to managing the unknown

With every business, organisation and person on high-alert pending almost hourly developments in the worldwide fight against the coronavirus (COVID-19), schools and trusts across the country are preparing for the unknown in different ways – with some very innovative and sensible approaches being taken.

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what the directories say...

A client adds: 'The firm is a very efficient and effective organisation, and I often hear other colleagues around the country reflecting on the high quality of their work, guidance and support.'

Chamber 2018

The ‘highly professional and responsive’ team at Browne Jacobson LLP assists educational providers, including multi-academy trusts, with restructuring and academisation as well as providing regulatory advice and representing institutional clients in discrimination claims.

Legal 500 2017

A highly ambitious organisation with a superb corporate image, excellent client support and good commercial awareness.

Chambers 2017

A deep understanding of the legal framework associated with schools and academies.

Legal 500 2016

Leading national education practice, with significant experience advising on academic issues

Chambers 2016

recent experience

Supporting a well-established and traditional multi-academy trust in reviewing its governance arrangements. We provided a succinct report including a range of options that could be adopted to enhance their governance arrangements together with links and sign-posting of relevant research. The MAT were then able to use the meeting with us and the advice note to make the enhancements they wished to adopt.
Working with a high-performing primary multi-academy trust that had been successfully operating for a number of years to review its approach to governance including local governance. We worked with the MAT to design a suitable approach to governance that supported their vision and values whilst also meeting the DfE’s requirements.
Supporting a multi-academy trust comprising secondary, primary and special schools with a number of twilight training sessions for their main board and their local governing bodies. The sessions were interactive and supported the continued development of links between the local and main boards. Following the training we then provided a short report on recommended actions that could be adopted to enhance governance arrangements at the MAT.