The Essential Trustee Programme

This course is designed for trustees that are new to trust governance, taking them through the propositions of strong trust governance outlined in CST’s Governing a school trust guidance paper. This course will equip delegates with the core knowledge, skills and behaviours to effectively fulfil their duties as trustees, and to understand what constitutes strong governance at board level.

Each of the eight sessions will provide an overview a particular function of governance within the four key domains: board leadership, the structures of trust governance, accountability and compliance. Bringing together a range of expert speakers and experienced trustees and practitioners in each session, this is an engaging and interactive course that looks to build skills and confidence across the key areas of education quality, finance and safeguarding, while providing a safe space to discuss challenges and ask questions.

This course will give new trustees the ability to fulfil their legal obligations, govern effectively, and to ultimately hold the bond of trust for children.

This course is led by Jackie Eason MBE, who is a CST consultant and governance expert.

Please note that this cohort is now closed for bookings. Check back here for updates on future cohorts.

How will you benefit?

The programme will develop your knowledge, confidence and network as a trustee. The curricula is designed around the 20 domains of trust governance which are explained in our guidance. By participating in the programme you will take away an understanding of:

The values, mindset and behaviours of effective trustees.
Your legal responsibilities and accountabilities as a trustee.
The principles of education quality, and how to interpret information about learning.
An overview of trust school funding and its relationship to the curriculum.
The principles of financial oversight and risk management for trust boards.
Your responsibilities for safeguarding of children in your trust.
An overview of current trends and policy issues for the trust sector.
How to relate the principles of effective trusteeship to your practice.

You will also get:

A handy summary of the essential points that you need to know from each seminar, with signposts to further reading and practical tips for how to develop your understanding of your trust.
The chance to develop your network in the trust sector.
Ideas about how to continue to develop your insight and abilities within your board.

When and where

2024 - Online - please note that this cohort is now closed for bookings. Check back here for updates on future cohorts.

Thursday 26 September 16:00-18:00
Thursday 3 October 16:00-18:00
Thursday 10 October 16:00-18:00
Thursday 17 October 16:00-18:00
Thursday 14 November 16:00-18:00
Thursday 21 November 16:00-18:00
Thursday 28 November 16:00-18:00

Course outline

Seminar 1: Board Leadership – strategy, vision and public benefit

Samira Sadeghi, Director of Governance, CST
James Townsend, Director of Strategy and Growth, Reach Foundation

This session will introduce delegates to the programme. We will discuss the role of trustees in a school trust context, particularly focussing on the role of trustees in safeguarding the vision of the trust and setting strategy.

This session will also consider effective board behaviours and the importance of evaluative cultures, and the role of stakeholder feedback within this. Finally, we will consider the role of trust governance in the context of civic duty and community anchoring, exploring the Reach Academy Feltham and Reach Foundation as case studies.

Seminar 2: Structures – Relation to the executive and local governance

Anna Machin, Director, Trust Governance Professionals
Claire Pannell, Director of Governance, Anthem Schools Trust

This session will look at the core structures and frameworks of school trust governance, drawing on the Academy Trust Handbook. We will explore how the role of trustees is distinct from that of the executive, looking at examples of areas of strategic governance in contrast to operational functions.

This session will also begin to look at the layers of governance within school trusts, focussing particularly on the importance of local governance and communication between this layer and the trust board.

Seminar 3: Structures – Members, schemes of delegation and scope of powers

Anna Machin, Director, Trust Governance Professionals
Nicola Andrews, Senior Associate, Stone King LLP

This session will continue the discussion from session two, this time looking at the role of members within the governance structure. We will then look at the scheme of delegation and its importance in ensuring effective governance.

This session will also provider a deeper look at the scope of powers of trustees and their accountability within legal frameworks, providing space to discuss when external advice might be required and exploring conflicts of interest.

Seminar 4: Accountability - Educational Performance

Duncan Baldwin, Data Consultant, CST
Lorrayne Hughes, CEO, Cumbria Education Trust

Seminar 5: Board Leadership – People and Culture

Mandy Coalter, Co-Founder, Talent Architects

This session will explore what it means for the trust to be an employer, and the trustee role within this. Mandy will discuss the role of trustees in overseeing an effective people strategy in the context of the recruitment and retention crisis. This session will also discuss the importance of inclusive cultures, and explore what trustees can do to build this culture in their trust.

Seminar 6: Accountability – Risk, Audit and Finance

Craig Duff, Associate Director, RSM
Sharon Monteith, Accounting and Financial Reporting Director, RSM

This session will look at the trustee’s role in providing effective financial oversight and in managing risk. We will discuss the importance of considering trust finances in relation to educational quality, and examine the controls trustees should have in place to ensure value for money. The session will also look at key financial performance indicators and explore approaches to managing finance such as GAG pooling.

We will examine the requirements of the Academy Trust Handbook around internal and external audit, and look more widely at the trustee’s role in overseeing risk management for the trust.

Note: Delegates who are completely new to trust finances may benefit from attending the Trust Finances Explained seminar, which provides a thorough introduction to trust funding, accounts, management information and audit.

Seminar 7: discussion and reflections on the education landscape

Jackie Eason MBE, CST Consultant and governance expert
Jess Trahar, Interim Deputy Director SW Regions Group

This session will provide an opportunity for delegates to discuss their learning from the course and to raise any thoughts, questions, or points of reflection, and to consider their continued development. We will also be discussing the key priorities for trusts over the year, providing an overview of what trustees need to know about education policy.

Book now - autumn 2024

Fees

CST members £425+VAT / non-members £495+VAT.

If you would like to book multiple trustees or your full board on this course, please get in touch at events@cstuk.org.uk so we can ensure this course meets your needs. Boards attending this course are offered a CST consultant mentor to meet with throughout the series to facilitate reflections on their learning and consideration of next steps for their board.

View our Terms and Conditions.

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