Governance

James Marks Academy Trust have recruited a diverse range of governors, from a variety of backgrounds with different skills and abilities necessary to influence the direction and expansion of the trust. An annual skills audit is compiled to look for existing, or emerging gaps that need to be addressed through training and/or recruitment. 

The Trust use Governors for Schools, Inspiring Governance and word of mouth to recruit new board members. If you have any queries around the governance services, or are interested in becoming a governor at a school within James Marks Academy Trust, please contact the Company Secretary: mandy.crow@jmatherts.co.uk

To support our Members, Trustees and Governors, we purchase governance support from HFL Education. This service is designed to support us to meet the needs of governing boards, trustees and members; and be responsive to changes to national legislation and guidance.

Governance Helpdesk

An independent and impartial helpdesk which supports governors and trustees through offering advice relating to statutory legislation and governance queries, exists within our partnership with HfL. This team has significant experience and is proud of its strong and close working partnership with schools, the National Governors Association (NGA) and Hertfordshire Association of School Governors (HASG).

This service comprises of unlimited advice, covering:

• Safeguarding
• Governor recruitment and election
• School‑based complaints

Governor Training

A range of training courses (face-to-face or online) are available to all governors, either as part of their annual training subscription, or on a pay‑as‑you‑use basis.

Our Annual subscription includes:

• one (two hour session) in-house course (*subject to location) which needs to be taken within the financial year (additional courses can be arranged for an extra charge)
• attendance at group training sessions, at a reduced rate per governor
• reduced rate to attend all-day Induction training
• reduced rate to attend accredited all-day Safer Recruitment training
• access to a suite of online training courses

The Modern Governor has a comprehensive range of e-learning content enabling them to access CPD at a time and place to suit. Courses are mapped onto the DfEs Competency Framework for Governance.

Modern Governor online training is accessed through your Governor Hub account which can be accessed via the quick link on this website. 

Chairs Service

The service provides the opportunity for the Chair of Governors, Vice-Chairs and Committee Chairs to attend dedicated training and briefings to ensure all governing boards are kept up to date.

The Chairs Service provides the framework to collaborate with others through a range of training courses designed to meet their specific needs. The service also includes a termly Chairs' briefing, regular e-bulletin updates and Chairs' handbook, which support them when performing their role and leading others.

The new Chairs Portal on Governor Hub provides users with, focused news and information direct to their inbox, relevant articles, guidance, tools and templates to enhance their effectiveness. The Portal also gives access to a rolling series of Modern Governor online training modules for Chairs.

Clerks Training and Support

This is an essential and highly recommended service providing clerks with a supportive network.

It is designed to ensure that the clerk is kept up to date with changes to governance and also provides them with guidance. This support enhances the ability of the board of governors to operate effectively and ensure compliance. Clerks have an opportunity to network with others performing the same role and share good practice.

The service includes:

• access to a dedicated phone or email helpdesk on specific clerking matters
• a specific training programme
• access to five online clerking modules (linked to DfE Clerking Competency Framework)
• summaries of relevant documents and initiatives
• a termly list of suggested agenda items
• full access to the governors’ training and development programme (subject to the school purchasing governor training)
• termly peer meetings, with focused updates and networking opportunities
• regular updates to national legislation issued by the DfE
• 'Knowledge Tab' providing access to a wealth of useful resources

The Key for Governors

James Marks Academy Trust subscribe to The Key for Governors 

 The Key helps to provide the authoritative information and practical resources needed.

Contacting a The Trust Board

If you would like to get in contact with any of our Trustees, please send a message to the Clerk: mandy.crow@jmatherts.co.uk who will forward the correspondence onto the appropriate person.