Business Support

The strength of MATs in building teams that have finance, HR, IT and site management expertise means that more teachers and leaders can focus on what they do best; great teaching.                                                                                                    Sir David Carter, December 2016
Giving our leaders time to focus on what matters most

We recognise that our academy leaders need time to focus on the strategic leadership of school improvement.
 
Our support network spans across the trust to give all of our academies the support they need to deliver exceptional education.

Tailored expertise from our central teams helps to free up more of our academy leaders’ time by providing professional operational management support.

A key function is to provide our academy leaders with assurance that, within a continually changing political and legal landscape, they are keeping up with statutory requirements, school compliance obligations and management of risk.

Financial Sustainability

Our academies pay an annual central services charge at a flat rate across the trust which is generally 5% of their GAG income. This funds the cost of trust governance, executive leadership and central services management.

The financial sustainability of our trust is as important as its academic sustainability. In order to continue to support our academies, we aim to continue to be a robust and efficient organisation which is effective at maximising resources and potential.

Mrs Tracy Cartmel

Chief Finance Officer

Central Finance Team offers support with:

Accounting software
Central accounting function
Single bank account
Single VAT registration
Central management of budgets
Compliance with financial regulations

Mrs Leanne Randall

People Services Lead

Central HR Team support with:

Single employer/trust employment contracts
HR related safeguarding procedures, including Safer Recruitment processes and SCR
Compliance with HR regulations

Payroll:

Single HMRC and payroll reference
Single payroll system
Single LGPS pension pot

Mr Stuart Johnson

Information Services Lead

The Information Services Team can support with:

Internet, firewall and WAN connectivity
Centralised backup
Service desk
Security
Compliance with IT regulations

Data Protection support:

Single ICO registration
Central management of FOI requests
Compliance with SAR procedures

Mrs Claire Carter

Governance Officer

Our Governance Team can support with:

Trust policies
Governor recruitment

Mr Ian Drake

Estates and Facilities Officer

Central Premises Team offers support with:

Asset strategy
Common framework for H&S procedures and records
Compliance with premises and operations regulations