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

2. What we will be discussing…..
Vision & Mission
Governance Structure
Strengths of Academy Status
Our School Improvement Model
Clare Colvin- Regional Schools Commission
Our Business Support
Aspects of academy finance & governance
Joining a MAT- the legal process

3. 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

4. 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

6. Governance Considerations
Individual Academies able to focus on Teaching & Learning
LGBs retained & focussed on Teaching & Learning
Geographical Hub Model- with 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

7. Aspirations for The Link
The Inclusion Hub- further development to provide the best for our vulnerable children & families
An Educational Psychologist directly employed by The Link- responding rapidly to the needs of our schools
An Education Welfare Officer
Pre school provision in every school- preferably as a Foundation Stage Unit
A system of instant access to high quality relief teachers
Further development of income generation- small projects in schools funded through bidding process
Small scale maintenance issues undertaken in house

8. 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

9. Interested? What next? More information to come this morning
CEO 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- The Link undergoing Growth Readiness checks- RSC pilot.
Timeline & programme for consultation established- staff, parents & families, community, Trade unions etc