Giving our leaders time to focus on what matters most
We recognise that our academy leaders need time to focus on the strategic leadership of school improvement.
Our central services teams aim to free up more of our academy leaders’ time by providing professional operational management support. A key function is to provide our academy leaders with assurance that, within a continually changing political and legal landscape, they are keeping up with statutory requirements, school compliance obligations and management of risk.
Finance
Accounting software
Central accounting function
Single bank account
Single VAT registration
Central management of budgets
Compliance with financial regulations
HR
Single employer/trust employment contracts
HR related safeguarding procedures, including Safer Recruitment processes and SCR
Compliance with HR regulations
Payroll
Single HMRC and payroll reference
Single payroll system
Single LGPS pension pot
IT
Internet, firewall and WAN connectivity
Centralised backup
Service desk
Security
Compliance with IT regulations
Data Protection
Single ICO registration
Central management of FOI requests
Compliance with SAR procedures
Premises
Asset strategy
Common framework for H&S procedures and records
Compliance with premises and operations regulations
SEND
Safeguarding
Equalities objectives
Compliance with SEND regulations
Governance
CELT policies
Financial Sustainability
Our academies pay an annual central services charge at a flat rate across the trust which is generally 5% of their GAG income. This funds the cost of trust governance, executive leadership and central services management.
The financial sustainability of our trust is as important as its academic sustainability. In order to continue to support our academies, we aim to continue to be a robust and efficient organisation which is effective at maximising resources and potential.
The strength of MATs in building teams that have finance, HR, IT and site management expertise means that more teachers and leaders can focus on what they do best; great teaching.
Sir David Carter, December 2016