Resources for trustees

Resources for trustees

Next-gen governance

This discussion paper sets out why and how trust governance can evolve to focus more on forward strategy than compliance, engaging a broader range of voices and better serving our communities.

Risk management is the process by which risks are identified, their severity assessed and cost-effective actions are taken to address, or mitigate, them to bring them down to acceptable levels. This guidance provides a risk template for trusts as a starting point for a bespoke approach.

Board evaluation is too often viewed as a compliance activity — a mechanical process of checking off items on a list with little real value for the board. But meaningful evaluation can be transformational.

It is crucial that trustees conduct themselves in a responsible manner, in line with their responsibilities as both charity trustees and company directors.
This model code of conduct outlines principles to follow both as individual trustees and corporately as a whole board.

Role description: Member

The role of a member of a school trust is one of the least well understood positions in a trust. This document sets out the key qualities of a member and their relationship with other aspects of trust governance.

The scheme of delegation is a vital document within a trust. It is a document that is, and should be, bespoke to every trust in order to describe how the trust board has decided to delegate responsibilities within the organisation. These checklists have been devised to help trusts develop a clear and comprehensive scheme of delegation.

Governing a school trust

The proposition of governing a school trust is fundamentally different from governing a maintained school. While there may be comparable challenges in maintained schools, problem-identification and solutions are often specific to trust governance and need a different approach.

At the request of members, we are providing some useful checklists and templates relating to suspensions and exclusions. If you have any questions about them, please contact us at governance@cstuk.org.uk

Training for trustees

Our Explained courses offer targeted training on key topics, giving trustees insight and overview of areas where they need to offer support and challenge to their trust's executive team. For trustees looking to understand more operational detail, our Masterclass courses give expert insight from strategic, technical and practical perspectives.

Our Essential Trustee programme is a detailed look at what new trustees need to know to be effective in this important role.

For experienced trustees, the Chairs Development programme helps those leading trusts, or aspiring to do so, explore the knowledge and approaches needed to help their trust succeed.

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Company no: 05303883
Charity no: 1107640

Contact details

Confederation of School Trusts (CST)
Suite 1, Whiteley Mill
39 Nottingham Road
Stapleford
Nottingham    NG9 8AD

0115 9170142

admin@cstuk.org.uk

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