Governance Structure

It is the Rutland Learning Trust’s stated intention and preference that:

• The Trust Board and Local Governing Bodies will work collaboratively and in partnership at all times.

• The Trust Board will make decisions, following consultation with Local Governing Bodies, on matters which will affect all academies in the trust: Local Governing Bodies will make decisions on matters which will affect individual academies.

• Local Governing Bodies and Headteachers of academies in the trust should be as autonomous as possible and have as much freedom as possible.

• Local Governing Bodies and Headteachers will have maximum delegation of responsibility and decision making for the strategic direction and day-to-day operation of their academies unless there is a cause for concern.

• The Trust Board will put in place effective arrangements for monitoring and evaluating the performance of Local Governing Bodies and academies.

• The Trust Board will take action, including the full or partial withdrawal of delegated authorities to individuals, groups and Local Governing Bodies should the individual, group, or Local Governing Body, fail to carry out their duties and responsibilities effectively.

• The governance arrangements of good schools/academies joining the trust (as agreed through due diligence) will remain in the main unchanged except where changes are required in order to comply with legal or statutory requirements, or to ensure optimal effectiveness of the Rutland Learning Trust.

• The Trust Board will fully consult Local Governing Bodies on proposals for composition, membership, structure terms of reference for Local Governing Bodies and sub-committees, on arrangements for the recruitment and appointment of governors, and on arrangements for the introduction of the trust’s multi-academy governance arrangements before any decisions are made.

• The Trust Board will fully consult Local Governing Bodies before putting in place any arrangements which directly affect Local Governing Bodies and individual academies and before taking any decisions on policy or procedural matters.

• Local Governing Bodies will report regularly and frequently to the Trust Board and will make available all relevant data and information on performance.