schools in focus LEGAL
23
By working together,
academies can take advantage of one another’s resources and their strength in numbers
have formed formal arrangements together in partnership and have made a commitment to support each other and raise educational standards across the group. chains vary in size and diversity of structure but successful chains are based on the same principles. the main three models for collaboration are the multi-academy trust, umbrella trust and collaboration agreement. Each has its particular idiosyncrasies and can be governed by either an academy trust or a sponsor but there is no hard and fast model that must be followed and academies are encouraged to determine their own particular structure. Successful chains have clearly defined shared goals and philosophies and are supported and led by strong united leadership, therefore, the choice of which chain to join or which academy a chain should adopt is very important.
Shared goals and philosophies are important to guide the actions of the chain and its development for the future. By agreeing and maintaining shared goals and philosophies chains have a background from which to make decisions and govern for the good of the chain. the sustainability of those goals and philosophies also requires a strong sense of accountability.
Strong leadership and effective tiers of governance will provide for effective decision-making and support, central responsibility and the monitoring of performance. Any structure of governance must balance the autonomy of the academy with the accountability of the academy to the other schools within the chain. chains can provide a great platform for an academy to grow and improve the performance of academies. By working together, each academy in the chain can learn from all the other academies by sharing in their experiences and also gain from the exposure to a greater pool of resources.
As schools leave the family of maintained schools, these chains can provide a valuable support network. going forward, it seems inevitable that not only will there be more academies, but there will also be more collaboration between them.
Vincent King is partner in the education team at Weightmans LLP
www.edexec.co.uk / september 2013
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