Month 2
The Key for School Leaders An Essential Guide to Academy Conversion
SETTING UP OR JOINING A MAT
Month 2
For newly established MATs :
Start the legal process :
• Statutory consultation :
The governing body must formally consult about the school ’ s plan to convert with everyone who will have an interest in the changing status
• Land and title checks
Title searches to be completed for land and school buildings . The land questionnaire will need to be completed and returned to the project lead .
• Drafting memorandum and articles of association :
The academy trust will need to agree a set of articles which will govern how the academy is run . The form of articles will vary depending on the particular character of the academy .
• Completion of master funding agreement
Governance Tasks
• Approve academy name
• Appoint academy trustees
Governance tasks checklist for forming a new MAT
• Approve academy name
• Agree who will be founder members , subsequent members and trustees ( directors )
• The DfE recommends having at least five members of the trust , and ensuring some distinction between individuals who are members and those who are trustees ( to ensure separation of duties )
• Agree how the board will be made up and whether each school will have a local governing body
• Consider the legal structure for the trust
• Agree how much involvement auditors will have . Consider interim audit . Discuss early on what to include in auditors / accountants tender
• Consider who will be the responsible officer
• Accountants to meet with trustees early – agree a date
• Appoint local governing body
• Register at Companies House with final articles
• Set up bank account in the name of the new academy
For academies joining existing MATs :
Start the legal process
• Transfer responsibilities to the existing academy :
• Draft and agree CTA
• Assign / transfer lease
• Review of contracts with external providers
Other tasks :
• Update grant spending spreadsheet
• HR service provider – get job profiles / evaluations ready for the advert
• Insurance provider to be brought in now identified – plan meeting
• Payroll provider to be brought in now identified – plan meeting
• Book financial software provider training for month 5
• Complete SLA reviews / negotiations ready for governing body approval
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