2. Autumn 2013: Heads and chairs consider closer collaboration
MLT Journey
Autumn 2013: Heads and chairs consider closer collaboration
Research phase - Advice from existing federations and multi-academy trusts through visits and attending conferences. TSJC already on Academy path. Steering group formed. 2 schools step away.
Summer 2014 Working up a Memorandum of Understanding
Research on effective MAT’s Seeking specific advice from visits to MAT’s, DfE, RSC, Diocese.
School GB’s fully informed at all stages (CoGB’s on steering group) No wider consultation yet!
April 2015: Application to DfE and the Regional Schools Commissioner for the Academy Order to formally start the process. 3rd school steps away.

3. MLT Journey
May 2015: Academy Order granted - Funding released for legal advice and part-time Exec Principal. Strategy to re-organise SLT emerges to create funding for full-time EP
Summer 2015: Extensive consultation within schools and wider communities
September 2015: Members and Trustees recruited
Jan 2016: Tupe mtg’s held with all schools. Scheme of Delegation agreed (To become Govs Handbook)
Feb 2016: Exec Principal and other key posts appointed (subject to conversion). All GB’s meet to formally sign agreements to convert
April 2016: Minerva Learning Trust launched. Members meet to approve Trust Board.

4. The Vision for Our Schools
The Trust will create an outstanding, inspirational and inclusive learning community that meets the needs of all young people. This will be achieved through:
Working together to design and deliver an inclusive, innovative and stimulating 4-19 curriculum
Raising the aspirations of ALL within the partnership
Developing and nurturing a collective approach to raising achievement through appropriate challenge and support and a commitment to early intervention
Providing a learning and teaching environment and culture where all feel safe to take risks in order to learn and grow.
(From the Memorandum of Understanding)

5. Governance Structure:
Audit Committee
Staff Disciplinary/ Dismissal Committee
Staff Appeals Committee
Minerva Learning Trust Board
HR/Staff Pay/& PM Committee
Leadership team
Finance Committee
Performance & Standards Committee
Local Governing Body

6. Recognize Early Wins – pre conversion co-operation!
Key learning for MLT
Ensure that it is improving the learning of ALL young people that is at the heart at every meeting and with all structures and policies/approaches we develop. Moral imperative! (Business/Economic/Finance spinoffs)
Aim to have a MAT that includes schools of all phases (and if possible a special school). This improves the opportunities of all to explore designing systems that reduce transition issues and better understand the 0-19 (25+) learning needs of all young people.
Recognize Early Wins – pre conversion co-operation!
Consider a MAT wide values system and framework that is secular, but that embraces and draws on the values of all faiths. For MLT this was values defined by the articles of the UNCRC (All MLT schools are Unicef Rights-Respecting schools)

7. Quick wins for small village primary (reduced isolation)
Key learning for MLT
Choose to partner with schools that are closely aligned to your philosophy of and approach to learning (natural selection)
A governance structure that sees Trustees as local experts with a vested interest in improving learning for all children within the MAT, mediating between the DfE and their town/MAT community.
Understand that to create the climate for improvement we need a progressive partnership that commits fully to a systemic and collaborative approach to governance & leadership
Develop a Memorandum of Understanding that we all signed up to within which we can construct the structures that will deliver your vision and values.
Quick wins for small village primary (reduced isolation)

8. Issues and Challenges
Competition between schools (Primary, Secondary and across traditional catchment areas)
Unclear direction from central government on strategy/funding (This not seen as issue for us. We grasped this opportunity for systemic improvement as it aligned with our imperative to improve learning for pupils)
Due diligence (Two way) Existing MATS have done much of the ‘heavy lifting’. Which MAT out there aligns with your philosophy/approach. Why/how would joining the MAT improve learning for your pupils. What do you bring/offer to the MAT?