National School Trust Survey

Results from the third annual National School Trust Survey, conducted by the Confederation of School Trusts (CST) with Edurio uncovers the main priorities and challenges for the sector for the upcoming academic year.

The survey covered trusts of all sizes, from trusts with single academies to running dozens of schools.

The governance section looks at priorities across school trusts, with the majority all dealing with succession planning and recruitment. There is however, difference based on trust size – the largest trusts were far less likely to be focused on recruitment, succession planning and training, with the most frequent area of focus being evaluating local governance, which is understandable given the potentially more complex arrangements with an increased number of schools.

Trusts appear to be delegating responsibilities to the local tier with local expertise and knowledge. Four fifths of trusts delegate community engagement, two thirds delegate monitoring of educational outcomes, attendance, behaviour and parental communication and over half delegate student welfare, inclusion and safeguarding. By contrast, operational and compliance functions like finance, policies, facilities and resources are the least likely to be delegated.

When asked which staff member leads on governance within their trust, about half of the trusts (51%) reported having a head of governance or a similar dedicated governance role. Interestingly, 28% of CEOs report that they are the person who leads on governance within their trusts.

CST Director of Trust Governance Samira Sadeghi commented:

“Strong, effective and strategic governance starts with a trust board and governance processes that are independent of the executive and supported by the expert advice of a governance professional, a role now required in trusts. It is, therefore, concerning that in many trusts the chief executive – whose performance trustees scrutinise and hold to account – is also the lead on governance.”

Would you like to hear more from Samira Sadeghi?  Please book your place at the DAG Conference on Saturday 16^th November at Exeter Racecourse where Samira will be one of our expert speakers.

Book your place by registering on the DAG website www.dagdevon.uk.  Early booking is recommended as places are limited.