Governance

Ardleigh St Mary's CofE Primary Academy is part of the Canonium Learning Trust, and as such, the Trust Board is responsible for the overall governance of the school.  Canonium Learning Trust has a governance structure that places great importance on local governance arrangements and therefore the Academy also has Local Governing arrangements, known as and referred to as the Local Governing Committee (LGC), which plays a vital role in supporting the Academy's day-to-day operations and educational performance.

The Local Governing Committee comprises individuals from the local community, including parents and members of staff.  They are responsible for providing oversight of the Academy's educational performance, ensuring that its policies and procedures are appropriate, and promoting the welfare of its students. The LGC works in partnership with the Trust Board to ensure that the Academy operates in line with the Trust's values and objectives.

While the Canonium Trust Board has ultimate responsibility for the governance of the Academy, the Local Governing Committee has a more direct and local focus. This committee is responsible for providing a link between the Academy and the local community, ensuring that the Academy is responsive to the needs of its pupils, parents, and staff.  They play an important role in providing feedback to the Trust Board on local issues, which can help inform the Trust's strategic direction.

In addition to the monitoring of educational performance, the Local Governing Committee also has specific responsibilities for overseeing areas such as local Health and Safety arrangements, safeguarding and premises. They work closely with the Academy's senior leadership team to ensure that these areas are managed effectively and that resources are used efficiently.  They also provide a channel for parents and staff to voice their concerns or provide feedback, which can help inform decision-making at the Academy.

In some circumstances, for example where it is difficult to recruit governors to a form an effective Local Governing Committee, the Trust Board approves an Intervention Board. An Intervention Board is group of senior executives, supported by at least two non-executives (Trust Directors or existing LGC members) as outlined in the Trust's Scheme of Delegation. They meet more frequently than a Local Governing Committee (LGC) but perform the same functions. At the end of the 2024/25 academic year, the LGC had only two members. To strengthen local governance capacity, an Intervention Board was established.

For more information about the Trust and the board of directors, please visit the Canonium Learning Trust website, here