Introduction

Multi Academy Trusts are governed in accordance with the Articles of Association  and Funding Agreements entered the Company and the Secretary of State under section 1 of the Academies Act 2010, including any variation or supplemental agreements.

Members

Most charitable companies have members because of the requirements of the Companies Act 2006. As all academy trusts are set up as charitable companies, they too must have members. In effect, the members sign to say they wish to form a company.

The DfE state:
‘Charity Trustees means the directors of the Academy Trust, who are responsible for the general control and management of the administration of the Academy Trust’

Members play a limited but crucial role in safeguarding academy trust governance. While they must ensure they do not stray into undertaking the Academy Trustees' role, they should assure themselves that the governance of the trust is effective, that Academy Trustees are acting in accordance with the trust’s charitable object(s) and that they, the Members, use their powers to step in if governance is failing.

The Members of the LIPA Mult Academy Trust comprises of:

• the Members of the Academy Trust at the date of adoption of the Articles

(until they resign or otherwise cease to be a Member in accordance with the  Articles);

• the Sponsor body¹ (up to 4 persons who may be appointed by the Sponsor body;

¹"Sponsor body" means The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (company number 02511501 ); or any successor entity discharging the same function in respect of the Academies;

It is the trust board, not the members, who are the organisation’s key decision makers.

Non-executive Directors/Trustees

LIPA Multi Academy Trust has a team of non-executive Directors, also known as Trustees, whose combined skills offer a wealth of experience to support the Trust's activities.

The Directors plays several roles in the life of each of its academies, setting direction and working with the senior leadership team to ensure that each school provides the best learning environment for its children and students. The Board of Directors is responsible for fostering progress in all areas of the schools' operation, promoting value for money and good use of public funds, and championing the schools in the wider community.

The Directors are responsible for the general control and management of the administration of the trust, and in accordance with the provisions set out in the articles of association and its funding agreement. The Directors are legally responsible and accountable for all statutory functions, for the performance of all schools within the trust, and must approve a written scheme of delegation of financial powers that maintain robust internal control arrangements. In addition, it must carry out the three core governance functions:

• Ensure clarity of vision, ethos, and strategic direction.
• Hold the executive to account for the educational performance of the trust’s schools and their pupils and the performance management of staff.
• Oversee the financial performance of the trust and make sure its money is well spent.