Brine Multi Academy Trust – Janet Furber

Having received and published the statement from the Trust about Audlem Primary School joining the Trust (see  here ), AudlemOnline asked Janet Furber to add some more informal detail to the statement and she has very kindly responded with the following.

Janet writes:-

I am writing this in my role as Chair of the Brine Multi Academy Trust, (which will be renamed as Brine Springs MAT), to accompany the official announcement.

The Trust

The Trust was originally set up as a stand alone Academy and in 2016 it became a Multi Academy Trust. It is a Company Limited by Guarantee and an exempt charity whose aims are set out in the articles.

The Vision of the Trust is; 'The MAT is committed to each school being aspirational with shared goals, whilst each individual school's unique identities are nurtured, valued and retained.' The key purpose of our Multi Academy Trust is to maximise educational opportunities for the children it is responsible for.

Audlem St James C E Primary School

Audlem St James Church of England Primary school is a Voluntary Controlled school which for Multi Academy Trust purposes means that the current Articles of the MAT will need to change to what are referred to as Minor Faith Articles. This ensures that the relationship with the Church continues, and Members, Directors and the CEO of the Academy Trust as well as the school Governing Board are anxious for this to happen, valuing their links with the Church. The school's vision, 'Let Your Light Shine', is also embedded in those links.

The Chester Diocesan Board of Education has given conditional approval for Audlem St James to join Brine Springs MAT and continue to be involved as we work through the process. The Diocese will continue to be represented on the Local Governing Board at Audlem St James, as well as having representatives take up roles as a Member of the Academy Trust, and a Director of the Trust Board.

Audlem School Governors

The Local Governing Board for Audlem will continue as before with roles for two parent governors and others with an interest in the successful education of its children, and will still have responsibility for the running of the school. The same tried and tested system is currently reflected in the running of Brine Leas School where there is a Local Governing board, with parental representation. There is a scheme of delegation and individual academies within the Trust have a clear route of being involved in decision making at Trust Board level.

School Budget

Audlem's operational budget will still be delegated to them as it currently is by Cheshire East Council, but it is anticipated that there will be savings from shared purchasing, contracts etc. Shared training opportunities will be taken advantage of as well as even better transition arrangements.

In the future it is hoped that other schools will be involved in the Trust.

Janet Furber