1. Membership

The Committee will be appointed by the Trust Board and will comprise no fewer than three members, a majority of whom will be Trustees. Academy Committee members can be appointed to sit as members of this committee but will not have voting rights.

The Chair will be appointed by the LEO Board of Trustees.

In addition, a Clerk will be appointed to assist with the administration of the Committee. The COO, Director of HR and other relevant senior staff will routinely attend the committee to provide information and participate in discussions. Other members of the Executive Team and Academy Committee members will be required to attend via invitation, along with other staff as the need arises.

2. Period of Office

The members of the Committee shall serve for a period of two years, and are eligible for re-election.

Membership shall cease by:

• mutual agreement

• resignation as either a Trust Trustee or Trust Employee

3. Meetings

The Committee will meet at least three times per year. 

4. Quorum

At least two Trustees and the Chair. If the Chair is absent, in order for the meeting to take place, a temporary Chair will be agreed between the attendees

5. Authority

The People and Culture Committee is a Committee of the Board and is authorised to investigate any activity within its terms of reference or specifically delegated to it by the Board.

6. Purpose

In the Schools White Paper, the DfE published five pillars of quality for Multi Academy Trusts. The Trust Board has delegated responsibility for Pillar 3 - Workforce to the People & Culture Committee.

Culture  Create a high-performing working culture for all staff that promotes collaboration, aspiration and  support. Use the flexibilities of the trust structure to create opportunities for staff. Recognise  the critical value of high quality teaching and champions the profession.

Workload  Foster a supportive working environment by managing workload, prioritising wellbeing and  taking action to support all staff.

Retention  Support the retention of great staff both within the individual trust and across the school system.

Working environment  Prioritise effective behaviour and attendance policies to create a safe environment in which to  work and learn. Utilise the trust structure so that staff are empowered to deliver their best.

Developing new and early career teachers  Make a positive contribution to the wider system by delivering high quality training and/or  placements for trainee teachers. Support early career teachers through the Early Career  Framework.

Continuing Professional  Development  Encourage and enable all staff to build their expertise through evidence-based professional  development and mentoring.

Collaboration   Build an innovative and vibrant community of professionals, collaborating across schools and  other trusts to develop and share expertise and evidence-based practice. 

Line management & career  progression  Ensure every member of staff is effectively line managed to maintain high performance. Actively  encourages career progression opportunities across the trust.

Equality, diversity, inclusion  Ensure inclusive working environments, support flexible working and take action to promote  equality and diversity.

In addition, the Committee will operate a Pay Panel to receive, review and make decisions on the remuneration of staff working across the LEO Trust, with the exception of the CEO. The remuneration of the CEO will be considered by the pay panel,  with a recommendation as appropriate made to the Board of Trustees.

7. Duties

• Advise the Board of Trustees, holding executive leaders to account on the adequacy and effectiveness of the areas highlighted within the Purpose;

• Take appropriate action on any relevant matter referred by the Academy Committee’s.

8. Administration

The People & Culture Committee will meet at least once per term, in advance of the Board of Trustees. In addition, the following requirements will be met:

• The Chair of the People & Culture Committee will be a Trustee of the Trust.

• Any paid staff will have no voting rights and cannot Chair the Committee.

• Agendas will be agreed in advance by the Chair of People & Culture Committee, with all required papers and reports circulated at least five working days in advance of the meeting.