Local governance is an important part of the way MAST maintains strong accountability to each school and its community.

Each school has a Local Governing Body which works within the Trust’s governance framework and Scheme of Delegation. Local governors provide support, challenge and assurance at school level, helping to ensure that the individual context, strengths and priorities of each school remain visible within Trust governance.

The Role of Local Governing Bodies

Local Governing Bodies provide oversight in key areas of school life, including:

• quality of education
• safeguarding
• inclusion and SEND
• behaviour and attendance
• leadership and school improvement
• the school’s Christian character, where applicable
• engagement with parents and the local community
• monitoring of delegated responsibilities

Local governors do not operate independently of the Trust. Their responsibilities are delegated by the Board of Trustees and are set out clearly within the MAST Scheme of Delegation and Local Governing Body Terms of Reference.

Local Knowledge and Challenge

We value the contribution of governors who know their schools and communities well.

Local governors bring important contextual knowledge, ask challenging questions and help ensure that leaders remain focused on the needs and outcomes of pupils. They also provide a valuable link between each school, its community and the wider Trust.

Accountability to the Board

Local Governing Bodies report through the Trust’s governance structure and provide assurance to the Board of Trustees.

The Board retains overall accountability for all schools within MAST, while Local Governing Bodies provide a vital layer of local scrutiny and insight.

Local Governance Information

For each Local Governing Body, we publish information including:

• Chair
• membership
• terms of office
• relevant business and pecuniary interests
• attendance
• Terms of Reference
• other governance information required by the Trust

Further details can be found on the individual school websites and within our Governance Documents section.