Governance

Structure:

The FalconTrust Board itself comprises 5 trustees, beneath which sits the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee (FARC), and individual Academy Councils of each school, all of which meet once every half-term to provide regular scrutiny and support to the Executive Team and academy’ Principals. 

The trust has a Scheme of Delegated Authority (SoDA) which sets out the responsibilities of all governing groups and the Executive Team, plus a Financial Scheme of Delegation detailing the powers afforded to these to make decisions on spending. Due to the fact the trust is made up of challenging schools, delegated authority in relation to finance and staffing is limited at Academy Council level, but as schools improve and prepare to move out of the trust, greater autonomy may be reviewed.  

Typically, functions of the Academy Councils will include: 

• Building an understanding of how the school is led and managed; 

• Engaging with stakeholders; 

• Being a point of consultation and representation; 

• Ensuring policies are applied, complied with and are fit for purpose; 

• Holding the Principal to account for standards in teaching and learning and student outcomes

• Certain disciplinary matters relating to staff and children

Further information regarding governance and financial information can be found on the Falcon Trust website https://www.falcontrust.co.uk/82/our-governance

More information on the Academy Council for Mercia Academy can be found on the Academy Councillor page /19/academy-councillors