How does multi-academy trust governance work?
A multi-academy trust (MAT) runs multiple academies, as opposed to a single academy trust, which runs 1.
All academy trusts have 2 layers of governance (the members of the trust and the board of trustees), and MATs often have a third layer, in the form of local governing bodies (LGBs) within some or all of their academies.
The members found the trust. They:
- Sit above the trust board and make sure the board is governing the trust effectively
- Have the power to step in if the governance is failing
Academy trustees sit on the board of trustees. They:
- Oversee the MAT and guide its strategic direction
- Hold the executive leaders to account
- Oversee the schools’ finances and make sure money is well spent
- Make sure the trust complies with charity and company law
Have no powers except the ones