Nicky Dunford- CEO & Accounting Officer The Link Academy Trust Nicky Dunford- CEO & Accounting Officer

The Link Academy Trust, what you need to know: Vision & Mission Governance Structure Strengths of Academy Status Our School Improvement Model Our Business Support Aspects of academy finance & governance Joining a MAT- the legal process

Delivering educational excellence supported by strong moral values   Delivering educational excellence supported by strong moral values Each learner developing a passion for learning and exceeding their aspirations in a unique learning environment Highly motivated, research-led and passionate teaching Schools being at the heart of, and valued by their community Being a partner of choice

We will always deliver the very best for our children, families and communities through: An uncompromising approach to wellbeing, safety, nurturing and inclusion Innovative teaching and learning practices to uphold the highest education standards The development of partnership and collaborative working to create a cutting edge approach. We will achieve this by investment in: High quality provision for staff and their pathways to success School environments that provide stimulating learning spaces Strong business planning to maximise the Trust’s geographical range and collective expertise

Multi Academy Trust Structure 5 x Members Corporate Deanery Representative The Rev’d Preb.J.C.Ould Representative St Mark & St John Uni Gill Golder Corporate Diocese – EDEN Representative Douglas Dettmer Representative for Bearnes’ Trust Isabel Cherrett Trust Director 12 x Directors Chair Isabel Cherrett Vice Chair Charlotte Power Audit Specialist Roy Gillard Finance Director Accounting Specialist Vacancy Simon Niles Fiona Walters Diocese Link Vacancy Vacancy CEO Nicola Dunford Accounting Officer Peter Bethel Audit & Accounting Specialist Cheryl Mathieson HR Specialist Vacancy 7 Foundation 5 Others Four Committees working within the 12 Directors Audit Finance & General Purposes Standards & Curriculum Remuneration Local Governing Boards Newton & Teign Hub Totnes Hub Woodleigh Hub Senior Leadership Team Bearnes Head of School Alice Eeles Cheriton Bishop Head of School Alex Waterman Diptford Head Teacher Lizzie Lethbridge Harbertonford Head Teacher Lizzie Lethbridge Hennock Head of School Sarah Clarke Landscove Head of School Jill Ryder Stoke Gabriel Head of School Matthew Medd Tedburn St Mary Head of School Andy Keay Yeoford Head of School Peter Halford

Governance Considerations Individual Academies able to focus on Teaching & Learning School Boards retained & focussed on Teaching & Learning Strategic Improvement creating leadership capacity Directors- based on very high level skill set- no particular allegiance to individual settings Diocesan Directors representation- VA model Opportunities at every level of Governance

The Link Academy offers: The Inclusion Hub- continually being expanded & developed to provide the best for our vulnerable children & families An Educational Psychologist and other ‘experts’ directly employed by The Link- responding rapidly to the needs of our schools Education Welfare Officer advice Pre school provision in every school, mostly as Foundation Stage Unit. Income generation- small projects in schools funded through bidding process all undertaken by designated personnel. Small scale maintenance issues undertaken in house Full Business Support from the Central Team

Reasons for joining the Link Collaborative Model- flexible but underpinned by a clear values and expectations Autonomy- but with robust challenge and support mechanisms Share, value, celebrate and reward enrichment at all levels Investment in the school environments- as much as possible spent at the classroom level Provide meaningful and positive feedback to everyone A dynamic model of school improvement- unrelenting focus on T&L, emphasising aspiration & ambition. A business support system that means we can deliver even more for our children & families

Interested? What next? For more information contact us CEO and Trust Business manager can attend Governors Meetings to present and answer questions The starting point in a nutshell: Decision made by governors- online Expression of Interest Liaise with RSC to establish agreement to go forward & start consultation. Legal Team involvement Start due diligence procedures Timeline & programme for consultation established- staff, parents & families, community, Trade unions etc

If this information has interested you: Please contact us and we will listen to your needs We can answer the questions that are specific to your school/s We can support you as an Associate before you make the decision to join us We have experience in Management Partnership working We anticipating accreditation as a Support Academy and can help schools that have had a negative Inspection or are experiencing difficulties with staffing, governance etc