Haberdashers’ West Midlands Academies Trust

Governance

Haberdashers’ Adams' Grammar School and Haberdashers’ Abraham Darby Academy are both part of the Haberdashers' West Midlands Academies Trust (formerly Haberdashers’ Adams' Federation Trust) (HAFT).  HAFT is sponsored by The Haberdashers' Company (the Company), a livery company which was made trustee of Adams’ Grammar School by its founder, William Adams.

Day to day and operational running and management of the academies is led by the Headmaster, in the case of Adams, and the Principal, in the case of Abraham Darby, in each case together with their respective senior leadership teams and staffs.

The governors are unpaid, non-executive volunteers with different backgrounds and experience who, with the benefit of the recommendations of the management, make the strategic, financial and other major decisions for HAFT and the academies, and monitor the implementation by management of the strategic decisions.  Governors should act as critical friends of the Headmaster and Principal and their senior colleagues, with the benefit of their different interests, experience and expertise.  Governors include persons who live locally to the academies and elected parents and members of staff.

The governance of HAFT is as follows:

HAFT has five members (the Company and four Haberdashers nominated by the Company) who elect the Trustees.

HAFT has a Board of Trustees, which currently has six members, with Haberdashers constituting a majority, and is chaired by James Penney.  The Board has the ultimate legal responsibilities and liabilities for the governance of the Federation and its schools.  All the other committees report to the Board and are subject to it.  The Board reviews the minutes of all committee meetings and matters referred to it by any committee, as well as itself conducting matters appropriate only for the Board.  The Board usually meets twice a term.

There are seven principal committees:

The Local Governing Bodies (LGBs) of each school.  The LGB for Adams is chaired by Michael Osborne; that for Abraham Darby is chaired by John Gallagher.  They meet once a term.  They govern each school subject to, and within the authority granted by, the Board.  They assist the development of strategy of the relevant school and monitor its implementation, including Boarding at Adams.  The members of each LGB include the Headmaster of Adams or, as the case may be, Principal of Abraham Darby, two governors elected from among parents and one governor elected from the staff.

The Finance and Buildings Committee (FBC).  This is chaired by David Jones.  It has oversight of and responsibility for the financial matters of each school and the Federation, as well as their premises and their maintenance.  It meets once a term but members receive monthly financial updates.

The Audit and Risk Committee.  This is chaired by Mark Searles and has four members.  It meets three times a year, reviewing the audit plan in the summer and the audited accounts and auditor's report and management letter in the autumn.  It is responsible for directing the Federation’s programme of internal scrutiny, ensuring that risks are addressed appropriately, and reporting to the Board on the adequacy of the internal control framework including financial and non-financial controls and management of risks.

Teaching, Learning & Standards Committee (TLS).  This is chaired by James Penney and reviews teaching and learning in both schools and so it reviews the academic outcomes.  TLS meets four times a year.

Pupil & Staff Welfare Committee (PSW).  This is chaired by Colin Watt.  It has responsibility for pupil and staff welfare matters and Safeguarding and Special Educational Needs & Disability (SEND).  It meets three times a year.

Careers Committee.  This is chaired by Arun Daniel-Selvaratnam. Its principal function is to guide and oversee the academies’ activities in relation to students’ destinations after leaving school.  It meets twice a year.