Governance Remit

Our Governing Board (till August 2020)

Our schools are overseen by a central Governing Board.  All governors are selected for the range of skills and expertise they bring to help realise our vision and values in the GEMS Learning Trust academies and to ensure effective strategic leadership and management. Terms of office are four years.

The Governing Board delegates some responsibilites for governance to the Operations Committee, the Standards Committee and to Local Academy Boards in each school. Parent governors sit on the Local Academy Boards.

Governance Remit till August 2020

Members Remit

Vision and outcomes Overseeing the achievement of the objectives of the company including pupil outcomes

Central Board Remit

• Strategy and performance Set the strategic improvement priorities of the Trust and scrutinise the performance of the Trust
• Admissions Ensure that the Trust complies with the Admissions Code at all times
• Public Relations Promote partnership working and shared approaches
• Compliance  Observe all statutory and contractual obligations; EFA, DfE, HMRC, Companies House, Charities Law, AFH, Accounts directions etc.

Operations Committee Remit

• Financial monitoring Keep the GEMS Learning Trust’s budget and finance schemes under regular review and ensure that spending represents good value for money and have an impact on academy priorities
• Compliance Ensure financial and procedural compliance with the Academies Handbook and Funding Agreements including reporting to the EFA
• Premises Oversee and review the maintenance of academy premises, and equipment,  resources and ensure they match the requirements of the academies’ priorities
• Risk management establish a risk management framework and intervene quickly and effectively when required
• Audit  Appoint internal and external audit officers (Responsible Officer) and respond to their audit findings and recommendations
• Human Resources Advise on legal requirements and procedures relating to Trust employment matters and pay
• Health and Safety Ensure that the Trust complies with statutory requirements for the management of Health and Safety in each academy

Standards Committee Remit

• Performance Scrutinise attainment, attendance and welfare of all children, highlighting vulnerable children and other groups of pupils in reference to RAISEOnline, local and national benchmark information:
• Safeguarding and Child Protection Promote an exceptionally safe and vigilant culture and review child protection and safeguarding processes and ensure recommendations are followed by each Academy
• Special Educational and Physical Needs Review the SEND systems in each academy and ensure compliance to the SEND code of practice
• Trust wide development and collaboration  Work across academies on Teaching and Learning, recruitment and retention, internal monitoring and audits, CPD, ICT and other projects
• Stakeholder engagement Develop Trust wide marketing and communication strategies and monitor the effectiveness of the complaints policy and procedures

Local Academy Board Remit

• Governance To review and approve policies in accordance with the policy review cycle as delegated by the Trustees.
• Stakeholder engagement To engage with stakeholders; pupils, staff, parents/carers and the community and ensure that each Academy meets legal requirements to publish information online
• Educational experience and standards To scrutinise data and information regarding the attainment, attendance and welfare of all children

Table of Governors - till August 2020

More information about the Governors can be found on the GEMS Learning Trust website. 

Click here for details: Governors/Trustees/Directors

Governance Documents

The following documents can be accessed via the GEMS Learning Trust website:

• Articles of Association GEMS Learning Trust 
• Didcot Supplemental Funding Agreement
• GLT Master Funding Agreement
• GEMS Learning Trust Governance Board Arrangements
• GLT Member and Director Declarations
• GLT Local Academy Board Handbook
• GEMS Learning Trust Audited Accounts 2018/19
• GEMS Learning Trust Audited Accounts 2017/18
• GEMS Learning Trust Audited Accounts 2016/17
• GEMS Learning Trust Audited Accounts 2015/16
• GEMS Learning Trust Audited Accounts 2014/15

Governing Body Minutes

Please visit our GEMS Learning Trust website for the following minutes of meetings:

• Central Governing Board
• Operations Committee
• Standards Committee

Get in touch

If you would like more information about the GEMS Learning Trust and/or other GEMS schools please get in touch. The address for correspondence with the Chair of Governors is:

Chair of the Trust Board| Wantage Primary Academy | 57  Colne Road | Twickenham | TW2 6QF or email us at gems.trust@gemslearningtrust.org.uk.

Visit www.gemslearningtrust.org for more information