Articles of Association Services for Catholic MATs
After several years of negotiation the Department for Education (DfE) has released new precedent Articles of Association for Catholic multi-academy trusts (MATs). The Articles have been drafted in partnership with the Catholic Education Service and the Charity Commission and contain charitable purposes and governance structures specifically tailored to Catholic MATs and the current best practice recommended by the DfE.
Many Dioceses are encouraging their existing MATs to adopt these new Articles of Association as soon as possible. In order to facilitate the rapid adoption of the Articles, the Charity Commission has issued blanket consent to Catholic MATs adopting the precedent without any substantive changes, removing the potential source of delay normally associated with having to obtain the Commission’s consent.
MATs wishing to comply with its Diocese’s recommendation and take advantage of the Commission’s blanket consent may benefit from support with understanding the implications of adopting the new Articles as well as complying with the company law requirements.
Our service
Our specialist team are able to provide practical and cost-effective options for Catholic MATs wishing to adopt the new precedent Articles and restructure their board of directors accordingly. We therefore, offer two options for Catholic MATs wanting to adopt the precedent DfE Catholic Articles with no substantive amendments:-
1. Basic – we will produce precedent Articles of Association (along with supporting documents) and apply for Diocesan consent. We will provide you with guidance outlining how the documents should be executed and file the signed document for you at Companies House.
If required we will also provide guidance on the transition of your board of directors across to the new structure specified in the Articles.
2. Enhanced – as above plus we will provide a report setting out the substantive changes between your current Articles and the new draft.
Pricing*
- Basic - £600
- Enhanced - £800
All pricing is per MAT and exclusive of VAT and disbursements.
*Pricing assumes that no changes to the precedent Articles are required by the MAT and the only changes made are to tailor the Articles to the relevant Diocese.
You may be interested in...
Legal Update
What the UK Covid-19 Inquiry means for schools
Legal Update
School exclusions and suspensions reach record high
On-Demand - Procurement Act
How should academy trusts be preparing for procurement reform?
Podcast - #EdInfluence
#EdInfluence podcast (series 3) - in conversation with inspiring leaders
Press Release
Browne Jacobson’s school leaders survey illustrates rising volume of parental complaints and impact on teachers
Legal Update
All change at Companies House - Corporate Transparency Act
Legal Update
New case on the reasonable adjustment duty for pupils in schools
Published Article
Proactive handling of vexatious complaints and abuse of staff in schools
Published Article
Navigating parental complaints in turbulent times
Legal Update
Inspector conduct – what will Ofsted do about it?
Legal Update
School staff pay – how are academies responding to national recommendations?
Published Article
Parental complaints surge: how can schools stay afloat?
Opinion
Cross-sector collaboration and civic leadership: Round table insight
Guide
Education sector contracts – top 10 tips on how to get it right
Opinion
Overcoming barriers: Building leadership resilience in MATs
Press Release
Browne Jacobson and the National Association of Head Teachers publish new guidance for faith schools faced with joining or becoming an academy trust
Legal Update - RAAC
RAAC: the tip of the iceberg for school building safety
Legal Update
School exclusions guidance: Managed moves between schools
Legal Update
Academy Trust Handbook 2023: Short sharp focus
Legal Update
Lessons learnt: Handling a vexatious complaint - case study
Published Article - RAAC
RAAC: 5 questions to guide investigations
Legal Update
Back to school – prepare to make light work of managing complaints
Press Release
School leaders significantly dissatisfied with current government policies across the board, new research reveals
Legal Update - School leaders survey
School leaders survey Summer 2023 – the results are in!
Guide
FAQs – academy re-brokerage
Legal Update
Government guidance on trans-pupils imminent
Legal Update
The Academies regulatory review and school complaints
On-Demand
Flexible working in schools webinar
Legal Update
New guidance: understanding academy trusts
Legal Update
#EdCon2023 virtual event hailed a success
Legal Update
High Court dismisses Welsh RSE right to withdraw claim
Guide
FAQs - converting to academy status
Guide
FAQs - becoming a sponsored academy
Guide
FAQs - becoming an academy sponsor
Guide
FAQs – single academy joining a MAT
Legal Update
The Schools Bill – law no more
In July, we published an update on the Schools Bill with the news that the proposed legislation relating to new academy standards and extended intervention powers for academy trusts would be removed. Last week, we received broader news of the dropping of the Bill, with education secretary Gillian Keegan announcing that it will not reach its third reading in the House of Lords.Guide
Good governance essential to avoid falling foul of the ESFA
There’s been little evidence of interventions or financial management reviews this year and it appears the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) has re-focussed on financial delivery. It’s also telling that there were no discernible changes to the reporting of financial irregularities in the Academies Trust Handbook 2022.
Legal Update
Hair discrimination – stop pupils being unfairly singled-out for their appearance
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHCR) recently issued new, non-statutory guidance regarding the wearing of natural or protective hairstyles, specifically in reference to their representation in uniform, behaviour or standalone appearance policies.
Opinion
The role of benchmarking in setting pay in schools
Emma Hughes, head of HR services at Browne Jacobson, explains how CST’s updated executive pay report and the linked benchmarking service from XpertHR can help trust boards make robust decisions on pay.