Board of Trustees

Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees (or Trust Board) is able to exercise all of the powers of LEO Academy Trust. It is responsible for the performance of the Trust.

The Board will offer support, constructive advice, a sounding board for ideas, a second opinion on proposals and help where needed, but will also challenge, ask questions, seek information, improve proposals and so seek to arrive at the best outcome for the Trust.

As trustees of a charity (the Trust), Trustees have a fiduciary duty to act in good faith in the best interests of the Trust. This duty includes a responsibility to do the following:

• ensure compliance with any legal obligations;

• report on the Trust’s activities (the Trust must prepare accounts in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice for Charities, the so called “Charity SORP” and any reporting requirements of the Education & Skills Funding Agency);

• fulfil the charitable object of the Trust as set out in its constitution (i.e. the Articles of Association) and to act in a way which is compliant with the rules of the Trust contained in the Articles;

• act with integrity and to avoid any personal conflicts of interest and not to misuse any charity funds or assets;

• act prudently in the financial management of the Trust, avoiding putting any assets, funds or reputation of the Trust at undue risk;

• exercise reasonable care and skill, using personal knowledge and experience to ensure the Trust is well run and efficient; and

• act responsibly, getting advice from others, including professional advisors, where appropriate.

Subject to any change in policy from time to time or where circumstances merit a different approach, the Trust Board will be constituted as follows:

• Minimum of 3 with a maximum of 11 Trustees – appointed by the Members;

• Co-opted Trustees  - appointed by Trustees

The Job Description and Role Responsibilities for Trustees is set out here. Specific skills may be needed if a Trustee is to take responsibility for and lead on a specific area, or to undertake the role of the Chair of the Trust. A regular skills audit will be undertaken and Trustees should expect to be able to articulate their contribution to the success of the Trust and the Academies.

Detailed Terms of Reference for the Trust Board can be found here and the Code of Conduct for the Trust Board can be found here.