We believe in transparent, shared accountability for academy performance and improvement.
The framework below outlines key ways in which we ensure both support and challenge for all Trust academies, including the work of peers inside the Trust, external experts and the Trust's Academy Improvement Team (AIT). This is shared at the start of each academic year.
Accountability Framework 2022-23
| Frequency | Activity | Monitoring and challenge | Support and practice sharing |
|---|---|---|---|
Termly |
Principal Challenge meeting |
CEO and AIT review academy improvement plan with Principal - priorities, outcomes and KPIs for term ahead. | Outline and agree Trust support required to meet priorities for term ahead. |
Academy Improvement Partner visit |
External expert school leaders review progress against agreed priorities and report to CEO. | Principal mentoring and coaching from an experienced school leader, chosen to reflect the academy's improvement priorities. | |
Peer review |
Peers provide cross-Trust professional challenge and external perspective on progress, with quality assurance provided by the AIT. | Peers agree opportunities and needs for joint practice sharing and support between academies. | |
Mid-point progress review |
Director of Education / Executive Principal monitor progress and pace of academy improvement at mid-point between Principal Challenge meetings. | Identify and additional or emerging support needs to maintain progress. | |
Monthly |
Curriculum & delivery working group |
Roundtable professional challenge by academy leads, chaired by members of AIT. Review of relevant KPIs and progress against Trust strategic objectives. | Trust-wide collaboration, updates and practice sharing, within framework of wider strategy areas. |
Ready to learn working group |
|||
Ready for life working group |
AIT to monitor academy progress against Careers and Transition strategy priorities. | ||
Fortnightly |
Trust Executive meeting |
Review strategic and operational matters, establish emerging signs of impact and agree required changes | Roundtable support, practice and capacity sharing between Principals. Identify and agree Trust support needs. |
Academy intervention group |
[For academies in the 'stabilise' phase] Granular review of academy improvement activities and any emerging signs of impact. | Rapid response to identifying and brokering any needed support. | |
Academy Improvement Team visits |
Review progress of agreed aspects of academy work, monitor strategy implementation, feedback on areas of strength or development. | Support academy staff in implementation, provide expertise and advice, broker capacity from across or outside the Trust. |