Governance

Governance

Governance within DDAT is the framework guiding decision-making, accountability and stewardship of public funds. It is based on shared values and roles outlined in the DDAT Scheme of Delegation. Members, Trustees, and Committees work together to fulfil the DDAT’s mission. Effective governance is supported by:

The Members: The guardians of governance. Members have a strategic ‘eyes on, hands off’ role. Members’ key responsibilities include:

• Holding the Board of Trustees to account
• Appointing or removing Members and Trustees
• Amending the Articles of Association
• Appointing the Trust’s auditors and receiving the audited annual accounts
• Ensuring that the religious character of church academies is preserved and developed.

The Board of Trustees: The Trustees, also known as Directors, who sit on the Board are primarily voluntary, non-executive Trustees selected for the knowledge, skills and expertise they can bring to benefit the Trust and they serve a 4-year term of office. Some Trustee roles are ex-officio, as defined in DDAT’s Articles of Association, however the postholders are not obliged to accept a position on the Board.

The Board provides strategic leadership; accountability and assurance; and engagement. The Board is responsible for the strategic oversight and performance of the Trust and its academies. It holds legal accountability for all aspects of operational delivery and is required to have systems to assure itself of the quality, safety and good practice of the affairs of the Trust.

Board Committees: The Board has established committees under its delegated authority to facilitate review, scrutiny and discussion, and to ensure the Board has sufficient understanding and oversight of key areas. The Board Committees comprise:

• The DDAT Audit and Risk Committee
• The DDAT Finance and Resources Committee
• The DDAT Education and Standards Committee
• The DDAT Performance Management Panel

Details of the committee roles are set out within the Terms of Reference for each committee which are available in the Key Information section below.

Local Academy Committee’s (LAC’s): work at local level to provide support, to monitor and to challenge educational experience and performance. They engage with key stakeholders, including the local community and the church, and support alignment with DDAT’s strategy, approach, ethos and values.

The Trust Governance Professional and Company Secretary is Jason Hampton email: DDATAdmin@ddat.org.uk telephone: 0333 3554353.