During the last eighteen months, Rivers conducted its first external review of governance since the trust was established in 2014. The review was commissioned because trustees and school improvement boards recognised that the governance needs of the trust have changed as a result of its rapid growth over the last five years. Nationally, multi-academy trusts are recognising that trust governance needs to evolve as trusts develop and grow and many are now looking to implement new governance structures. Rivers is committed to being a leader and champion of innovative and sector-leading governance practice. 

Historically, the trust’s local governance has been provided through local governing bodies and, more recently, school improvement boards. The new structure will create advocate roles at local level to replace the existing school improvement boards. The aim of the proposed new governance structure is to define clearly the roles and responsibilities of the different governance tiers to avoid duplication, to strengthen communication between governance tiers and to maximise the use of the skills, knowledge and expertise of everyone within the governance team in order to ensure impactful governance across the trust. The new structure will ensure that pupils remain at the core of all decision-making. Trustees recognise the importance of the local voice and are committed to ensuring that the local tier contributes to the development of organisational thinking. Importantly, the election of two parent representatives per school will ensure that the voice of parents/carers will contribute to decisions made at trust board level.

Please do not hesitate to contact Kate Brunt, CEO of Rivers CofE Academy Trust, if you have any further questions or comments about our proposed new governance structure: kbrunt@riverscofe.co.uk