Education Scrutiny and Student Welfare Committee (Chair – Jane Butler):
- reviews the outcomes for each academy at the end of the academic year measured against targets sets and national comparative data;
- agrees the performance measures for the forthcoming academic year;
- holds the Executive to account for setting operational targets and achieving targets within agreed timescales;
- monitors key measures including the quality of leadership and management across the Trust academies and central team performance
Audit and Risk Committee (Chair – Alan Gould):
- reports to the board on the adequacy of the Trust’s internal control framework, including financial and non-financial controls and the management of risk
- monitors and reviews health and safety issues on a regular basis, drawing any matters to the attention of the Board
- receives the Annual Report and Financial Statements for recommendation to the Board
- oversees and approves the Trust’s programme of internal scrutiny
Finance, Property & ICT Committee (Chair – Stella Lithgow):
- considers and recommends acceptance/rejection of the Trust’s budget
- monitors and reviews the financial health and resources of Excalibur Academies Trust to ensure that it remains a going concern and financially sustainable
- scrutinises and approves significant projects or items of expenditure, ensuring resources deliver value for money, including the School Allocation programme
- oversees the commercial activities of the Trust and ensures that appropriate business plans are evolved
- oversees the Trust’s estates management to ensure the Trust’s estate is maintained in a safe working condition through strategic and effective estates management
Staffing Committee (Chair – Susan Clarke):
- reviews and recommend for approval Trust wide HR Policy; in particular, the strategies and policies for recruitment, retention, pay and
rewards, training and professional development including apprenticeships - advises the Board on organisational change, HR compliance and risk management issues
- considers and recommends acceptance/non-acceptance of the Trust’s organisational model and associated budget
- approves new posts at leadership level and above
Christian Distinctiveness Committee:
- supports the Diocesan Corporate Member, Foundation Trustees and Foundation Governors to fulfil their roles by facilitating sharing of good practice, promotion of training, support and networking
- facilitates communication between the layers of Foundation Governance, including Principals within Church of England schools, within the Trust
- reports to the Trust Board on compliance with the requirements of the Articles of Association and the Memorandum of Understanding with Salisbury Diocese Board of Education (SDBE)
Function of Academy Committees:
- supports and challenges Principals to improve certain aspects of the Academy
- provides external input and skills
- looks at the school through the lens of the child
Responsibility of Academy Committees:
- formulate a culture, vision and ethos for the school
- engage and promote the school within the local community
- monitor and support the school with statutory safeguarding duties
- support and challenge the Principal to ensure behaviour is effective in encouraging learning, inclusion and welfare
Chairs of Academy Committees come together in a regular Chairs Forum to support the sharing of effective practice and two-way communication with the Board of Trustees.