Role of the Local Governing Body

The Trust Board delegates aspects of governance and the day-to-day oversight of school leadership to the Local Governing Body.

The role of a Governor within the Trust is an important one. In developing a governance structure, the Trust has sought to ensure that as much as possible the responsibility to govern is vested in those closest to the impact of decision making and that such responsibility matches the capacity of those assuming responsibility. The Trust Board has established Local Governing Bodies for each of the Academies for the most part made up of individuals drawn from the Academy’s community, both as elected and appointed members.

Those serving on the Local Governing Body are accountable to the Directors and the Members and must ensure that at all times they act in good faith and in the best interests of the Academies and the Trust, exercising reasonable care and skill having particular regard to personal knowledge and experience.

The Local Governing Body is a committee of the Laetare CMAT Board. Those serving as Local Governors are accountable to the Directors and will be responsible for:

  1. Upholding the Catholic nature of the school and preserving the charism of the founding Religious Order;
  2. Ensuring clarity of vision and strategic direction of the school;
  3. Overseeing the financial and educational performance of the school and ensuring that money is well spent;
  4. Holding the school leadership to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and for the performance management of staff;
  5. Ensuring that the school operates in accordance with the policies and procedures of the Laetare CMAT;
  6. Ensure staff and student well-being is prioritised; and
  7. Engaging with pupils, staff, parents, local parishes and the school community to understand their views of the school.

Each of the Members, Directors and Governors are required to observe any directions issued by the local Bishop in whose diocese the Academy resides.

All Governors must comply with the Governor Code of Conduct adopted by the Trust.