Sacred Heart School joined the St Clare Catholic Multi-Academy Trust (Trust) on 1st September 2022.

In the Trust structure, the Governing Body is now called the Local Academy Committee (LAC).

The Local Academy Committee acts as a local governing body providing oversight, support, and accountability at school level within a Catholic Multi-Academy Trust.

Its key roles include:

Purpose and Ethos

• Preserve and promote the Catholic ethos and mission of the Church in the Academy.
• Provide local accountability to parents, parish, and community.
• Offer day-to-day support and oversight of the school leadership team.

Governance

• Implement decisions and policies from the Trust’s Scheme of Delegation.
• Appoint and oversee the Chair, Clerk, and Foundation Governors (in consultation with the Trust and diocese).
• Conduct skills audits and manage conflicts of interest under Trust policy.
• Support compliance and local policy implementation.

Finance

• Implement the Trust’s financial procedures.
• Propose and monitor the Academy budget plan and risk register.
• Monitor financial efficiency within the Academy.
• Report financial risks to the Trust Finance and Resources Committee.

Strategy and Performance

• Approve the Academy Development and Improvement Plans.
• Approve key academic and pastoral policies (e.g., Curriculum, SEND, Teaching & Learning, RE, RSE).
• Monitor performance against agreed targets and support continuous improvement.
• Consult on Trust strategic plans and school expansion proposals.

Staffing

• Approve appointments of teaching and support staff.
• Consult on leadership appointments, staff structures, and performance reviews.
• Monitor management of senior staff performance.
• Advise on staffing issues such as redundancy, restructuring, and chaplaincy appointments.

Land, Health & Safety

• Consult on premises issues (assets, insurance, building works, leases).
• Monitor health & safety, safeguarding, and lettings.

HR and Policies

• Consult on HR policies determined by the Trust Board.
• Approve and monitor exclusions and manage appeals.
• Monitor complaints handling and implementation of statutory policies.

The Trust

The Trust Board of Directors provides overarching strategic leadership, accountability, and compliance for all academies in the trust.

Its main functions include:

· Setting and maintaining the Catholic mission, vision, and values across all academies.

· Approving policies, budgets, staffing structures, and strategic plans for all academies.

· Delegating appropriate powers to Local Academy Committees through the Scheme of Delegation.

· Providing financial oversight, ensuring resources are used efficiently and legally.

· Holding the CEO, Headteachers, and LACs to account for educational standards, safeguarding, and compliance.

· Making and approving key appointments (e.g., Foundation Governors, Headteachers, senior staff).

· Owning and managing legal, financial, HR, and property-related responsibilities.

· Ensuring alignment with Diocesan, regulatory, and statutory requirements.

In essence:

· The Trust sets direction, policy, and accountability across all academies.

· The LAC implements these policies locally, provides community insight, monitors school-level performance, and ensures the Catholic ethos and statutory standards are upheld day-to-day

A list of our school governors can be found here:

Local Academy Committee

The full Scheme of Delegation for the Local Academy Committee can be found on the Trust website:

https://www.stclarecmat.org.uk/governance/