Charlton School

About our Trust:

The Learning Community Trust is a Telford and Shropshire based multi-academy Trust which was established in July 2017, with the backing of the Department for Education.  

Our Trust serves the community of Telford and Shropshire, with 10 schools (Academies) from across all phases including four mainstream primaries with nurseries and three large secondaries as well as two Special Schools and a new-build primary Academy due to open in September 2023.

We work in very close partnership with the local FE provider, Telford College as well as with Telford & Wrekin Council and Shropshire Council.

The Trust is led by a very experienced and successful CEO and our excellent team who lead, guide and support our Academies as they support more than 5,500 learners and over 1,100 staff.

We have an outstanding Board of Trustees with significant experience in education, knowledge of the locality, and from the world of business and industry. Each academy has a Local Governing Body, and we have exceptional Governors supporting our schools.

Our governance is highly regarded, and we have just had an external review to confirm that the Board is effective, and Governance of the trust is strong.

We have grown from 3 schools at our inception to 10 and are in advanced discussions about further local growth including extended special needs provision and more schools joining our family.

Whatever your role, experience and background, if you have a strong interest in education, learning and developing communities, and can commit some time voluntarily to support your local area, then we would like to hear from you.

You can find out more about Trust here, to express an interest or arrange for an informal discussion with the Chair or Vice Chair of our Trust, please contact Veronica Croft, our Company Secretary (veronica.croft@lct.education).

Here as some key points on the role of Trustees (more information can be found here)

What are Trustees and what do they do?

The trustees of Learning Community Trust are both charity trustees and company directors, we have 12 Trustees and arrangements for Committees and quorate membership.

Our trustees focus on three core functions:

• ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
• holding executive leaders to account for the educational performance of the organisation and its pupils, and the performance management of staff
• overseeing and ensuring effective financial performance.

We believe that our trustees must apply the highest standards of conduct and ensure robust governance, as these are critical for effective financial management. They should follow the (DfE) Governance Handbook, that includes the following features of effective governance in more detail:

• strategic leadership that sets and champions vision, ethos and strategy
• accountability that drives up educational standards and financial performance
• people with the right skills, experience, qualities and capacity
• structures that reinforce clearly defined roles and responsibilities
• compliance with statutory and contractual requirements
• evaluation of governance to monitor and improve its quality and impact.

Our trustees have statutory duties

They must comply with the trust’s charitable objects, with company and charity law, and with their contractual obligations under the funding agreement. Company directors’ duties are described in sections 170 to 181 of the Companies Act 2006, in summary are to:

• act within their powers
• promote the success of the company
• exercise independent judgement
• exercise reasonable care, skill and diligence
• avoid conflicts of interest
• not accept benefits from third parties
• declare interest in proposed transactions or arrangements.

As an organisation, the trust has a range of obligations under current legislation and statutory guidance. Trusts’ obligations include such matters as safeguarding, health and safety and estates management. Ensuring strong governance in these areas will be a key priority for the board.

What else do trustees consider?

Our Trustees ensure regularity and propriety in use of the trust’s funds, and achieve economy, efficiency and effectiveness – the three elements of value for money. The trustees also take ownership of the trust’s financial sustainability and its ability to operate as a going concern.

What is the time commitment?

Our Board of Trustees meet four times per year (one meeting includes the AGM and approval of the annual report).  We have three Committees (Resources, Standards, Audit and Risk) and invite each Trustee to be a member of one of those Committees