Governance
Facilitating Growth and Development
The governance structure of Waterton Academy Trust operates within a hub model, facilitating growth and development across local hubs (groups of schools) within our partnership areas. The Trustees are responsible for executing the core strategic governance functions and Hub Boards hold devolved responsibilities alongside Academy Standards Committees.
Read more about the development of this model here
During the 2017/18 academic year, the Members of Waterton Academy Trust commissioned a comprehensive governance review by the National Governance Association (NGA). This thorough 360-degree evaluation examined the Trust’s structures, systems, and procedures in detail. Based on the recommendations from this review, the Trust undertook a governance restructure, which has since been fully implemented.
In 2023, a subsequent CST review of governance was conducted, which validated the significant work undertaken since the NGA review. This review confirmed that the governance reforms had been effectively implemented and further strengthened the Trust’s commitment to maintaining high standards of governance.
Trust Board
Trustees carry out the core strategic governance functions;
- Ensuring there is clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction.
- Holding executive leaders to account for the educational performance of the organisation and its pupils and the performance management of staff.
- Overseeing the financial performance of the organisation and making sure its money is well spent.
- Ensuring the voices of stakeholders are heard.
Members
The members of the trust are guardians of the governance of the trust and must ensure it carries out its charitable objective. They have a limited yet distinct role; agreeing the trust’s articles of association and are responsible for approving any amendments; appoint trustees; and appoint the trust’s external auditors.
Local Hub Boards
The hub boards, chaired by a trustee, build an understanding of how the hub’s academies are led and managed, scrutinising local financial and educational performance. They support the trust board in executing its duties at locality and ensuring there are clear communications between ASCs and the trust board.
Academy Standards Committees
Each school within the trust has an Academy Standards Committee (ASC), which is made up of Parent, Community and Staff Governors, who review, monitor and evaluate educational provision.
Governors provide support and challenge to hold the Headteacher to account for the performance of the school. The ASC works together to ensure clarity of vision, values, ethos and strategic direction of the school.
For all information on local governance arrangements please visit individual academy websites.
The Scheme of Delegation sets out clearly the lines of accountability and delegated functions across the levels of governance and to the executive leadership of the trust.