Terms of Reference for a School Advisory and Improvement Group

for Evolution Academy Trust schools.

Terms of Reference for a School Advisory and Improvement Group for Evolution Academy Trust schools.

The Terms of Reference of a School Advisory and Improvement Group ( SAIG ) must be approved by the Multi Academy Trust ( MAT ) Board of Directors ( the Board ). The Board may review and amend these terms of reference from time to time. The terms of reference provide the framework within which the SAIG operates.

The MAT Board expect SAIGs to provide support and challenge for their school leadership team that concentrates time and effort on pupil outcomes, teaching and learning, safeguarding, and community relationships.

The SAIG of (school name) will be composed, where possible, of a minimum of 7 and a maximum of 9 members; comprising the Head of School / Principal and staff members, at least two parent members and community members. Potential SAIG members will satisfy the Board they have the requisite skills to effectively assist in overall school improvement; members are interviewed and appointed by the MAT Board.

The MAT Board supports the SAIG in its ambition for the school to be outstanding at the earliest opportunity. The MAT Board believes that outstanding schools take responsibility for their own decisions and wishes to enable and support the school leadership teams and SAIG in acting where possible as if it were a single academy trust.

Working Practice:

1.  The structure of the SAIG will be agreed by the MAT Board and may be amended as required particularly in the light of advice from the Department of Education, the Education Funding Agency and the Regional School’s Commissioner.

2.  The usual term of office for all members of the SAIG will be 4 years except for the Head of School.

3.  The members of the SAIG shall, upon their appointment, give an undertaking to the MAT Board to uphold the objects of the Company as set out in the Articles of Association and all policies and procedures agreed by the Trust and SAIG.

4.  The SAIG Chair will be elected annually by the SAIG members at the first meeting in each school year.

5.  In the absence of either the Chair or the clerk at a meeting of the SAIG, the SAIG will agree a replacement for the meeting.

6.  The Chair of the SAIG will meet with representatives of the MAT Board as required to discuss the roles and responsibilities of the SAIG in relation to that school’s development plan and any other issues as appropriate.

7.  The SAIG will meet as often as is necessary to fulfil its responsibilities but as a minimum, the SAIG will meet at least once each term.

8.  The quorum for any meeting of the SAIG is 50% of those members of the SAIG currently appointed. (rounded to the nearest whole number).

9.  The clerk to the SAIG will circulate an agenda and any papers at least one week before a meeting of the SAIG.

10.  It is assumed that each member of the SAIG has read any papers prior to a meeting as long as they have been circulated in accordance with point 9.

11.  All recommendations and decisions made at a meeting of the SAIG will be recorded accurately in writing. These minutes will be forwarded by the clerk of the SAIG at least one week before the next SAIG. These minutes will be forwarded by the clerk of the SAIG to the CEO of the Trust within 10 days of the date of the meeting.

12.  The MAT Board may request the Chair of the SAIG to attend any MAT Board meeting and present a summary of the issues discussed and recommendations made at any previous SAIG meeting.

13.  Any Director of the MAT may attend a meeting of the SAIG.

14.  Any member of the SAIG may request the Chair to invite persons who are not members of the SAIG to attend its meetings.

15.  Each member of the SAIG shall have one equal vote. Where there is an equal division of votes, the Chair of the SAIG will have the casting vote.

16.  All decisions reserved for the SAIG shall be determined by the MAT Board and will be reviewed at least annually.

Terms of Reference:

EAT requires each school SAIG to develop effective working practices for their own context which clarify how the school leadership team take the lead on these matters, supported and challenged by the SAIG.

  1. Appoint the Chair of the SAIG
  2. Liaise with & provide input to the CEO led Performance Review of Academy Headteacher / Principal
  3. Ensure the school has a relevant School Improvement Plan
  4. Regularly review progress against the School Improvement Plan
  5. Propose and approve pupil behaviour policies and monitor implementation of those policies
  6. Exclude a pupil for more than 15 days or permanently and inform the CEO prior to doing so.
  7. Review exclusion on appeal
  8. Direct reinstatement of excluded students
  9. Consult on admissions arrangement if appropriate
  10. Defend refusals at appeals
  11. Propose to the EAT Board premises-related polices
  12. Propose to the EAT Board school premises & capital strategies
  13. Develop and implement processes to meet Directors’ responsibilities
  14. Monitor property processes to ensure Directors responsibilities are fully discharged
  15. Monitor implementation of H&S Policy and report on Risks to Board
  16. Regularly review the Disaster Recovery and Critical Incident Plan

17.  Present to Directors by the end of June each year an annual balanced schools budget

18.  Approve in year budget virements and purchase orders in line with the EAT Scheme of Delegation

19.  Organise quotations and tendering for projects in line with the EAT Scheme of Delegation

20.  Organise disposal of assets in line with the EAT Scheme of Delegation

21.  Approve writing off bad debts in line with the EAT Scheme of Delegation

22.  Provide support for the Headteacher / Principal, Head of School in their appointing of staff

23.  Provide input to the MAT Board in their appointment of the school Principal / Headteacher

24.  Provide support for the Headteacher / Principal, in the organisation of pay benefits and contractual terms for all non MAT staff except the Headteacher / Principal.

May 2016

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