Local Governing Board

Pope Francis Multi Academy Trust

 

The Trustees of the Pope Francis Multi Academy Trust (PFMAT) are accountable to the Secretary of State, through an Academy Funding Agreement, for the quality of education being provided at St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic Academy.  The Trustees have decided to appoint an Interim Executive Board (IEB) to bring a fresh outlook to the governance arrangements, marking a clear break from the previous management of the academy. 

 

Interim Executive Board Terms of Reference 

An IEB in accordance with Schedule 6 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006, is used to accelerate improvement in standards and provide challenge to the leadership of the academy.  The IEB's main function is to secure a sound basis for future improvement in the academy, including the promotion of high standards of educational achievement.

The IEB is the Local Governing Body (LGB) of the academy and any reference in the Education Acts to a governor or foundation governor has effect as a reference to an interim executive member.  During the interim period, when the LGB is constituted as an IEB, the requirements concerning governing bodies constitution set out in the School Governance (Constitution) (England) Regulations 2012 do not apply.

The IEB will, in line with the Academies Act 2010, take on the responsibilities of the LGB as described in PFMAT Delegated Duties section 13.  These responsibilities include the management of the budget, the curriculum, staffing, pay and the performance management of the Headteacher. 

Schedule 6 to the 2006 Act states that the number of interim executive members must not be less than two.  The IEB for St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic Academy consists of four members.  However, further interim executive members may be appointed by the PFMAT at any time.   The IEB is a small group, focused on school improvement, appointed for a short period following the school’s conversion to academy status.  

The IEB may arrange for the discharge of its functions to other people as it sees fit (under Schedule 6 to 2006 Act).  In this way the IEB could benefit from the experience of other specialists.  It will, with the support of the PFMAT, engage future governors.   

Therefore, the IEB is a small group, focused on school improvement, appointed for a short period following the school’s conversion to academy status.   It is expected that this IEB will not remain in place indefinitely.

The Trust has nominated one of its Trustees to act as the IEB Chair.  Members of the IEB will monitor each aspect of academy life as provided in the Ofsted Evaluation Framework

 

Membership

The IEB members and Register of Interests:

Ann Connor OBE                                                                    Appointed: 1 May 2021

• formerly an Education Adviser in the Department for Education
• PFMAT Trustee
• Chair of the IEB 
• Monitoring: Leadership and management

 

Alison Burrowes                                                                      Appointed: 1 May 2021

• former Headteacher
• Catholic Education Service: NW Hub Development Officer for National Formation Strategy 
• Salford Diocese: Secondary School Improvement Lead
• Archdiocese of Liverpool: School Improvement Partner
• Chair of the Challenge Board
• Monitoring: Quality of education and curriculum

 

Mary Liptrot                                                                           Appointed: 1 May 2021

• former Ofsted inspector and Education Consultant
• Monitoring: Safeguarding, Health & Safety, behaviour and attitudes, personal development

 

Anne Pontifex                                                                       Appointed: 1 May 2021

• Former Executive Headteacher.     
• PFMAT Trustee                                                       
• Archdiocese of Liverpool: School Improvement Officer for ALSSIT
• member of the Challenge Board

 

Paul Halliwell (ex officio)

• Interim Chief Executive Officer PFMAT
• former Headteacher and National Leader of Education
• member of the Challenge Board

 

Chris Williams (ex officio)

• Interim Chief Operations Officer PFMAT
  • Catholic Archdiocese of Liverpool Assistant director of education
  • Chair of Governing Body: Faith Catholic & CoE Primary School, Liverpool 
  • Foundation Governor: Holy Spirit Primary School, Ford, Sefton

Jane Barry (Governance professional)                               Appointed: 17 June 2021

• Clerk to the IEB

 

Helen Pinnington (ex officio)

• Headteacher St Edmund of Arrowsmith Catholic Academy

 

 Frequency of Meetings

IEB meetings will take place monthly

• 30 April 2021 (preparation)
• 24 May 2021
• 17 June 2021
• 6 July 2021

IEB Challenge Board: The quality of education and curriculum will be monitored through a Challenge Board which will be attended by Headteacher, Helen Pinnington.  Meetings will be held at the academy to allow other school leaders to attend as requested.  These meetings will take place on

• 12 May
• 7 June
• tbc July

Meetings regarding other aspects will be held at the academy with individual responsible senior leaders at various times during the term.

Attendance

	24/05/21	17/06/21	06/07/21	15/09/21	13/10/21	12/11/21	15/12/21
A Burrowes	√	√
A Connor	√	√
M Liptrot	√	√
A Pontifex	√	√
P Halliwell	√	√
C Williams	√	x
H Pinnington	-	x
J Brady	-	√

 

Reporting

The IEB will report directly to the Canon Michael Fitzsimons, Chair of PFMAT.          It will also provide an academy progress report at each Trust Board meeting on

• 13 May 2021
• 24 June 2021
• 9 Sept 2021

Future meeting dates will be posted on the academy website in due course

Contact

Please contact the Chair of the IEB by emailing

PFMAT@rcaol.org.uk