Academy Local Governing Board (LGB) – Statement of Responsibilities

The Local Governing Board (“the LGB”) operates as a committee of the Academy Trust Board under the authority delegated through the Trust’s Scheme of Delegation. The LGB provides local oversight, challenge, and strategic input in line with the Trust’s vision and statutory responsibilities for academies in England.

Members of the LGB must act collectively, in the best interests of pupils, and in full accordance with UK law, DfE guidance, and Trust policies.

1. Strategic Leadership at Local Level

The LGB is responsible for:

• Supporting and monitoring the implementation of the MAT’s vision, values, policies, and strategic priorities within the academy.
• Contributing local knowledge and community insight to inform academy improvement.
• Providing strategic support to the Headteacher in delivering high-quality education and outcomes for pupils.
• Championing high aspirations, inclusion, and the ethos of the Trust.

(Note: strategic oversight, not operational management.)

2. Educational Performance and Standards

The LGB will:

• Monitor pupil progress, attainment, and curriculum delivery, ensuring alignment with Trust standards.
• Evaluate and challenge the effectiveness of teaching, learning, and assessment within the academy.
• Review local performance data and support improvement planning.
• Ensure provision for SEND pupils complies with statutory duties and delivers positive outcomes.

3.Safeguarding and Pupil Welfare

In line with Keeping Children Safe in Education, the LGB must:

• Monitor the effectiveness of safeguarding arrangements within the academy.
• Ensure statutory policies (child protection, behaviour, online safety, etc.) are implemented locally.
• Receive and scrutinise safeguarding reports, ensuring concerns are acted upon and appropriately escalated.
• Ensure the academy fosters a safe, inclusive environment where pupils’ wellbeing is prioritised.

4. Compliance and Statutory Duties

The LGB ensures local compliance with:

• Education Acts and DfE requirements.
• The Academy Trust Handbook.
• UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018.
• Equality Act 2010 duties.
• Health & Safety legislation and Trust policies.

The LGB monitors adherence to local statutory policies, keeping the Trust Board informed of significant risks or breaches.

5. Financial and Resource Oversight (As Delegated)

While ultimate financial accountability rests with the Trust Board, the LGB will:

• Review how resources are used locally to support educational priorities.
• Monitor the effective use of pupil premium, SEND funding, and catch-up funding.
• Ensure local spending aligns with Trust policies and provides value for money.
• Highlight financial risks or resourcing concerns to the Trust’s central team.

6. Headteacher Support and Challenge

The LGB:

• Acts as a source of constructive challenge and strategic guidance to the Headteacher.
• Monitors the Headteacher’s implementation of Trust and academy priorities.
• Participates in Headteacher performance discussions if delegated by the Trust Board.
• Provides local intelligence on community needs and stakeholder feedback.

7. Community and Stakeholder Engagement

The LGB will:

• Act as a link between the academy, Trust Board, parents, carers, and the wider community.
• Ensure the academy’s communication with stakeholders is clear, transparent, and representative.
• Promote the academy’s achievements, values, and inclusive culture.
• Capture local views to inform Trust-level decision making.

8. Risk, Health & Safety, and Compliance Assurance

The LGB monitors:

• Local risks, ensuring they are logged, escalated, and managed in compliance with Trust frameworks.
• Implementation of local health and safety procedures.
• Premises and safeguarding risks through reports, visits, and discussions with academy leaders.

9. Governance Conduct, Training, and Improvement

LGB members must:

• Uphold the Seven Nolan Principles of Public Life: Selflessness, Integrity, Objectivity, Accountability, Openness, Honesty, and Leadership.
• Adhere to Trust governance policies, including code of conduct, conflict of interest, and confidentiality rules.
• Undertake mandatory training (e.g., safeguarding, governance, data protection).
• Participate in self-evaluation and continuous improvement of governance practice.

10. Reporting and Accountability to the Trust Board

The LGB:

• Provides regular reports on academy performance, risks, compliance, safeguarding, and community issues.
• Ensures that significant concerns or failures are escalated promptly to the Trust Board or Executive Team.
• Operates strictly within the roles and powers delegated to it.