North Kesteven Academy Governing Body Arrangements

As a charitable company limited by guarantee, North Kesteven Academy Trust’s governance is undertaken in the same way as any other registered company. This involves an additional layer of governance, known as the “Members” (see Fig. 1 below). The Members are the original subscribers to the Trust’s Memorandum of Association plus any other individual subsequently permitted to become a Member under the Trust’s Articles of Association. Ultimately, they are financially responsible for the Trust. The Members have an overview of the governance arrangements of the Trust but are not involved in its day to day management. Members have a reserved number of powers designed to support stronger governance arrangements such as being able to change the constitutional documents i.e. the Articles of Association and to appoint or remove a set number of Directors.

The body responsible for the management and administration of North Kesteven Academy Trust in line with its Articles of Association is the “Board of Directors”. The Board is the “Governing Body” making strategic decisions about the day to day running of the Trust, directing its affairs, ensuring it is solvent, well-run and delivering its charitable outcomes for the benefit of the public. It is permissible for Members of the Trust to also be Directors.

The Board has to answer to three different branches of law – company law, charity law and education law. In company law terms, those on the Board are known as “Directors” of the Trust; in charity law, they would be known as “Trustees”; in education terminology they would be known as “Governors”. The terminology is interchangeable as the role, duties and responsibilities are essentially the same. 

In order to facilitate governance and provide detailed focus, the Board of Directors has established a Finance and Audit Committee and Strategy Committee to which it has delegated some governance functions.  Ad-hoc committees are formed as required e.g. Pupil Discipline Committee, Hearings and Appeals Committees.

Each of these committees has its own range of duties, powers, responsibilities and tasks to perform. The structure, remit and reporting mechanisms of the Board of Directors and all its committees are outlined in the North Kesteven Academy Trust’s Scheme of Delegation document, which is kept under constant review in order to ensure the organisation remains efficient and effective in its proceedings. The North Kesteven Academy Trust has the learner at the heart of all it does and aims to provide a strong leadership and governance framework in order to both challenge and support the academy in its journey to outstanding.

Register of Members (current for the last academic year)

Full NameDate of ApptRelevant Business or Pecuniary Interests
Mrs Rachel Barrett22nd September 2014None
Mrs Jennifer Burt6th October 2021None
Mr Darren Salisbury27th April 2017Director at Inform Billing
Mr Jonathan Sloan2nd February 2015None

Register of Trustees (current for the last academic year)

Full nameDate of AppointmentDate Term of Office EndsAppointed ByRelevant Business or Pecuniary Interests
Mrs Rachel Barrett22nd September 201421st September 2024Board of DirectorsNone
Mr Stephen Bull9th December 20208th December 2024Board of DirectorsNone
Mrs Jennifer Burt3rd February 20212nd February 2025Board of DirectorsNone
Miss M Finley27th February 202326th February 2027Board of DirectorsNone
Mrs D Maier8th October 20237th October 2027Elected by ParentsNone
Mr David McCran3rd February 20212nd February 2025Elected by ParentsNone
Mr Jonathan Sloan2nd February 20152nd February 2027Board of DirectorsNone
Mrs Joanne Tunnicliffe1st September 2018N/AN/AEmployed by the Academy

Trustees Attendance Records (previous 12 months)

NameNo of Full Governing Body Meetings AvailableNo of Full Governing Body Meetings AttendedNo of Committee Meetings AvailableNo of Committee Meetings Attended
Mrs Rachel Barrett5565
Mr Stephen Bull5400
Mrs Jennifer Burt5565
Mr Craig Ferguson5400
Miss Maya Finley3321
Mr Martin Joy5522
Mr David McCran5400
Mr Jonathan Sloan5566
Mr Michael Squirrell5300
Mrs Joanne Tunnicliffe5464

If you would like to contact the governors please do so by writing to the Chair, care of the school address:

Clerk to the Governors North Kesteven Academy
Moor Lane, North Hykeham Lincoln LN6 9AG
01522 881010
clerk@nkacademy.co.uk

Scheme of Delegation for the Academic Year 2023-24

The scheme has been developed to clarify the responsibilities and powers of Governors and members of staff employed at the school in respect of key aspects of the management of the school and to ensure compliance with legal requirements.

The North Kesteven Academy Trust will operate in accordance with the Articles of Association, Funding Agreement and the regulations as set out in the Academy Trust Handbook, published by the Education and Skills Funding Agency.

What does a governor do?

A Governor:

  1. Contributes to the strategic discussions at governing body meetings;
  2. Holds the senior leaders to account by monitoring the school’s performance;
  3. Ensures the school staff have the resources and support that they require to do their jobs well;
  4. When required, serves on panels of governors to:
  5. appoint the headteacher and other senior leaders;
  6. appraise the headteacher;
  7. set the headteacher’s pay and agree the pay recommendations for other staff;
  8. hear the second stage of staff grievances and disciplinary matters;
  9. hear appeals about student exclusions.

The role of governor is largely a thinking and questioning role, not a doing role.

1. Composition of the Governing Body

1.1 Term of Office for Each Category of Governor

The governing body has resolved to have the same term of office for all categories of governor and the agreed term is four years although this time limit shall not apply to the Headteacher. The term of office may be shorter than 4 years for any governor other than a parent governor if the members determine this at the time of appointment of such a governor.

1.2 The Current Membership of the Governing Body

The governing body notes that its current membership is as Appendix A and the composition is as set out in the Articles of Association.

2. Expectations

2.1 Code of Conduct

The governing body agrees to adopt the governor code of conduct (see Appendix B). Each member of the governing body and the clerk will be asked to sign a copy when they commence their role and when the code is amended.

2.2 Confidentiality

  • Governors will observe complete confidentiality when required or asked to do so by the governing body, especially regarding matters concerning individual staff or students;
  • As a matter of trust governors will not discuss the views of fellow governors with members of the public outside of meetings;
  • Governors will exercise the greatest prudence if a discussion of a potentially contentious issue affecting the school arises outside the governing body.

2.3 Withdrawal

  • Any employee of the school other than the headteacher and company secretary must withdraw from a meeting which considers the pay or appraisal of other employees of the school;
  • The headteacher must withdraw from any meeting which considers his or her own pay or performance appraisal;
  • The person acting as clerk may continue to act as such unless his or her own pay or disciplinary action against him or her is under consideration;
  • A member of the school staff cannot be present at a meeting when the appointment of their successor is considered, nor vote on their appointment;
  • If there is disagreement about whether a person is required to withdraw, it is for the other members of the governing body or committee to make the decision.
  • A governor must absent himself/herself from any discussions of the governors in which it is possible that a conflict will arise between his duty to act solely in the interests of the Academy Trust and any duty or personal interest.

3. Election of Chair and Vice Chair

The Chair and Vice Chair will be elected at the first meeting of the autumn term for the academic year. If a Chair or Vice resigns mid academic year an election will take place and the term of office will be only until the autumn term.

The clerk will chair the meeting for duration of the election of chair and conduct the election. The newly elected chair will conduct the election of the vice chair.

4. Meetings of the Governing Body

4.1 Dates of Meetings

The governing body has set the dates and times of meetings for the academic year as set out in Appendix C

4.2 Attendance at Meetings

The governing body expects governors to make every effort to attend all meetings. Should a governor not be able to attend a meeting the governing body requests apologies in advance to the clerk wherever possible giving a reason for their absence. The governing body will consider whether to accept apologies at each meeting.

4.3 Quorum

The governing body notes that it must be quorate to be able to make decisions and that the quorum for a meeting of the governors, or any matter within a meeting requiring a vote shall be any three governors. For votes relating to the appointment of a parent governor, the removal of a governor or the removal of the chair of governors the quorum is two thirds of the governors in post.

4.4 Length of Meetings

The governing body agrees that in the interest of work/life balance for all governors the meetings will under normal circumstances last no longer than two hours.

4.5 Voting

If a decision needs to be voted upon, all governors unless they have declared a conflict of interest are entitled to vote.

4.6 Open Meetings and Confidentiality

The governing body agrees that its full meetings will not be open to the public.

The governing body agrees that its committee meetings will not be open to the public.

The governing body reaffirms the importance of governors not disclosing information to others from confidential discussions.

4.7 Before and After Meetings

  • Agendas
  • The agenda will be drafted by the Clerk to Governors and then approved by the Chair and Headteacher.
  • The governing body has agreed that agendas must be with all governors 7 days before meetings.
  • Any governor wishing to have an item included on the agenda should contact the Clerk and ensure that it meets the deadline for inclusion.

4.7.2    Supporting Papers

  • The governing body notes the importance of having supporting papers 7 days before meetings.
  • The headteacher notes her responsibility for producing a report in good enough time for it to be circulated to governors as part of the supporting papers.
  • Individual governors note their responsibility for reading supporting papers to prepare themselves for discussions at meetings
    • Minutes
  • Copies of draft minutes of full governing body meetings (excluding confidential items) will be circulated to governors within 15 school days by email.
  • Copies of approved minutes (excluding confidential items) will be made available to parents and the public by request to the Clerk.
  • Governors note the importance of ensuring any actions delegated to them at the meeting and recorded in the minutes must be completed within the timescale agreed. If a governor is unable to complete an action then they should update the Clerk. The Clerk will prompt governors if actions have not been completed and this will be followed up through matters arising.

Principles of Delegation

The governing body notes the importance of having clear records of its decisions to delegate functions.

The governing body notes the statutory responsibilities for reviewing the delegation of functions annually and will review its current delegation of functions annually.

The governing body notes that it remains accountable for all delegated decisions and that any delegated decisions made or actions taken on its behalf must be reported back to the governing body by the relevant individual or committee. The governing body will ensure accountability by receiving the following reports:

  • The headteacher’s report
  • Minutes from committees
  • Reports from individual governors
  • Reports following visits made by governors to school

Delegation and Decision Making

Governance FunctionMembersBoard /
Committees
Accounting Officer/HT
Governance Framework: PeopleMembers: appoint/remove
Trustees: appoint/remove
Committee Chairs: appoint/remove
Named Safeguarding trustee: appoint/ remove
Clerk to Board: appoint/ remove
Governance Framework: Systems and StructuresArticles of Association: review and agree
Governance structure for the Trust: establish and review annually
Committee terms of reference and scheme of delegation: agree annually
Annual schedule of governor business: agree
Self-review of the trust board and committees: complete annually
Chair’s performance: carry out 360° review periodically
Board member contribution: review annually
Governance Framework: ReportingPublish governance arrangements on academy website: ensure
Annual report on the performance of the trust: submit to members and publish
Annual self/review of board effectiveness: submit to members
ESFA required reports and returns submit
Being StrategicDetermine trust policies which reflect the academy’s ethos and values: approve
Management of risk: establish register, review and monitor
Engagement with stakeholders: ensure
Determine trust’s vision, strategy and key priorities: approve
Accounting Officer/HT: Appoint and dismiss
Budget plan to support delivery of trust’s key priorities: agree
Trust’s staffing structure: agree
Holding to AccountEnsuring compliance (e.g. safeguarding, employment, H&S): agree auditing and reporting arrangements
Monitoring progress on key priorities: agree reporting arrangements
Performance management of the HT: undertake
Financial OversightExternal and Internal auditors: appoint
Trust’s scheme of financial delegation: establish, monitor and review
External auditors report: receive and respond
Headteacher’s pay award: agree
Staff appraisal procedure and pay progression: review and agree
Benchmarking and trust value for money: ensure robustness
Monitoring budget: agree reporting

Performance Management Governors

The Chair and Vice Chairs are appointed to carry out the Performance Management of the Headteacher

Delegation to the Headteacher

The governing body has agreed to delegate sufficient decision making authority to enable the headteacher to carry out her management role as effectively and efficiently as possible.

The headteacher will report to the governing body at least three times an academic year in writing with supplementary verbal information at meetings of the full governing body and to committees where appropriate.

Visits to the school

There is an expectation that governors will visit the school during school hours in order to experience the variety of activities that go on at the school. It is important that any visit to the school is arranged in the correct manner to ensure that the visit is productive for the governor and, staff are aware of the arrangements in order to assist in making the visit a valuable experience for all involved. It is recommended that Governors visit the Academy at least once a year.

Complaints against the School

The governing body has adopted a complaints policy and will review it on an annual basis. It will ensure that parents and others are aware of the existence of the policy and will make a copy available to anyone who requests one. A copy will be available to view on the school’s website.

The governing body will ensure that all governors are familiar with the policy as well as good practice on how to handle concerns addressed to individual governors.

The governing body has agreed to set up a committee of two governors and one individual who is independent of the running of the school, who will make the final decision in respect of any stage four complaint. These governors will have had no prior involvement in the complaint.

Appendix A

Board of Directors & Trustees

Mrs J Tunnicliffe
Head teacher

Mr J Sloan
Chair of Governors
Community Governor

Mrs J Burt
Vice Chair
Parent Governor

Mrs R Barrett
Parent Governor

Mr S Bull
Community Governor

Mr M Squirrel
Community Governor

Mr D McCran
Parent Governor

Miss M Finley
Community  Governor 

Mrs D Maier
Parent Governor

Finance & Audit Committee
Mrs R Barrett (Chair)
Mrs M Finley
Mr J Sloan
Mrs J Tunnicliffe

Company Secretary
Mrs R Goldsworthy

Clerk to the Governing Body
Mrs F Abbott

Appendix B

Governing Board Code of Conduct

North Kesteven Academy

This code, developed through the National Governors’ Association, sets out the expectations on and commitment required from school governors and trustees in order for the trust and local governing board to properly carry out its work within the school and the community. Reference to ‘School’ includes academies, and it applies to all level of governance.

As individuals on the board we agree to the following:

Role and Responsibilities 

  1. We understand the purpose of the board and the role of the principal.
  2. We accept that we have no legal authority to act individually, except when the board has given us delegated authority to do so, and therefore we will only speak on behalf of the trust or local governing board when we have been specifically authorised to do so.
  3. We accept collective responsibility for all decisions made by the board or its delegated agents. This means that we will not speak against majority decisions outside the trust or local governing board meeting.
  4. We have a duty to act fairly and without prejudice, and in so far as we have responsibility for staff, we will fulfil all that is expected of a good employer.
  5. We will encourage open government and will act appropriately.
  6. We will consider carefully how our decisions may affect the community and other schools.
  7. We will always be mindful of our responsibility to maintain and develop the ethos and reputation of our school. Our actions within the school and the local community will reflect this.
  8. In making or responding to criticism or complaints affecting the school we will follow the procedures established by the trust and local governing board.
  9. We acknowledge that all individuals have fundamental human rights and welcome the diversity of the community living, working and learning in the Borough. We will be committed to promoting equality and tackling social exclusion and as such will integrate equality into all of our activities.
  10. We will actively support and challenge the principal.
  11. We will undertake an enhanced criminal record check (DBS) on appointment and ensure that the Chair (or Head Teacher in the case of the Chair) be informed of any subsequent criminal convictions or cautions received at the earliest opportunity.

Commitment

  1. We acknowledge that accepting office as a governor involves the commitment of significant amounts of time and energy.
  2. We will each involve ourselves actively in the work of the trust or local governing board, and accept our fair share of responsibilities, including service on committees or working groups.
  3. We will make full efforts to attend all meetings and where we cannot attend explain in advance why we are unable to.
  4. We will get to know the school well and respond to opportunities to involve ourselves in school activities.
  5. We will visit the school, with all visits to school arranged in advance with the staff and undertaken within the framework established by the trust and local governing board and agreed with the principal.

North Kesteven Academy Trust

  1. We will consider seriously our individual and collective needs for training and development, and will undertake relevant training.
  2. We accept that in the interests of open government, our names, terms of office, roles on the local governing board, category of governor, the body responsible for appointing us and attendance information, will be published on the school’s website.
  3. We will abide by the seven principles of public life recommended in the Nolan Committee’s report “Standards in Public Life” as detailed below.

Relationships

  • We will strive to work as a team in which constructive working relationships are actively promoted.
  • We will express views openly, courteously and respectfully in all our communications with other governors.
  • We will support the chair in their role of ensuring appropriate conduct both at meetings and at all times.
  • We are prepared to answer queries from other governors in relation to delegated functions and take into account any concerns expressed, and we will acknowledge the time, effort and skills that have been committed to the delegated function by those involved.
  • We will seek to develop effective working relationships with the principal, staff and parents, the local authority and other relevant agencies and the community.

Confidentiality

  • We will observe complete confidentiality when matters are deemed confidential or where they concern specific members of staff or pupils, both inside or outside school.
  • We will exercise the greatest prudence at all times when discussions regarding school business arise outside of trust and local governing board meeting.
  • We will not reveal the details of any trust or local governing board vote.

Conflicts of interest

  • We will record any pecuniary or other business interest (including those related to people we are connected with) that we have in connection with the trust’s and local governing board’s business in the Register of Business Interests, and if any such conflicted matter arises in a meeting we will offer to leave the meeting for the appropriate length of time. We accept that the Register of Business Interests will be published on the school’s website.
  • We will also declare any conflict of loyalty at the start of any meeting should the situation arise.
  • We will act in the best interests of the school as a whole and not as a representative of any group, even if elected to the board.
The Seven Principles of Public Life
(Originally published by the Nolan Committee: The Committee on Standards in Public Life was established by the then Prime Minister in October 1994, under the Chairmanship of Lord Nolan, to consider standards of conduct in various areas of public life, and to make recommendations).
Selflessness – Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest. They should not do so in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends.
Integrity – Holders of public office should not place themselves under any financial or other obligation to outside individuals or organisations that might seek to influence them in the performance of their official duties.
Objectivity – In carrying out public business, including making public appointments, awarding contracts, or recommending individuals for rewards and benefits, holders of public office should make choices on merit.
Accountability – Holders of public office are accountable for their decisions and actions to the public and must submit themselves to whatever scrutiny is appropriate to their office.
Openness – Holders of public office should be as open as possible about all the decisions and actions that they take. They should give reasons for their decisions and restrict information only when the wider public interest clearly demands.
Honesty – Holders of public office have a duty to declare any private interests relating to their public duties and to take steps to resolve any conflicts arising in a way that protects the public interest.
Leadership – Holders of public office should promote and support these principles by leadership and example.

Breach of this code of conduct

If we believe this code has been breached, we will raise this issue with the chair and the chair will investigate; the trust and local governing board will only use suspension/removal as a last resort after seeking to resolve any difficulties or disputes in more constructive ways.

Should it be the chair that we believe has breached this code, another governor, such as the vice chair will investigate.

As members of the Trust or Local Governing Board we will always have the well-being of the children and the reputation of the school at heart; we will do all we can to be ambassadors for the school, publicly supporting its aims, values and ethos; we will never say or do anything publicly that would bring the Academy Trust, School, Local Governing Board, Principal or staff into disrepute.

All new members/governors will be asked to adopt the code on appointment or election and sign the acceptance form to confirm that they have read and accepted the code. Completed forms should be returned to the school and stored securely.

Governors Calendar 2023/24

DateTimeMeetingStatutory Timetable
Wednesday
13/09/2023
TEAMS
6:00pm
Full Governing BodyResults update
Wednesday
04/10/2023
6:00pmFull Governing BodyElection of Chairs
Committee Membership
Set board objectives for year
Premises/CIF Update
Staffing Update
Wednesday
18/10/2023
6:00pmFinance & AuditDraft Outturn for 2022/23
Review changes to Academy Trust Handbook
Wednesday
29/11/2023
6:00pmFinance & AuditAuditor Mgmt Letter
Wednesday
13/12/2023
6:00pmFull Governing BodyApproval of Final Accounts 2022/23
Quality of Teaching Update
Premises/CIF Update
Admissions Policy for 2025/2026
Wednesday
31/01/2024
6:00pmFinance & Audit
Wednesday
07/02/2024
6:00pmFull Governing BodyStaffing Update
Wednesday
20/03/2024
6:00pmFinance & AuditSchool Resource Mgmt Tool
Scrutinise GAG statement for 24/25
Wednesday
27/03/2024
6:00pmFull Governing BodyData Update
Review of Academy Improvement Plan
Wednesday
08/05/2024
6:00pmFinance & AuditDraft Budget for scrutiny
Wednesday
22/05/2024
6:00pmFull Governing BodyData Update
Quality of Teaching Update
Wednesday
10/07/2024
6:00pmFinance & AuditFinal Budget