Ethos and Advisory Committees contribute to the strategic direction and vision realisation of the School Trust: Flourishing Futures

Ethos and Advisory Committees

There are the local Ethos and Advisory Committees reporting to the Board of Trustees with delegated powers. These committees meet regularly and are accountable to the Board of Trustees.

Constitution

Each local Hub committee, which may represent more than one school, will comprise of the following:

The membership of a church school or mixed Ethos and Advisory Committee is as follows:

  • The Heads Teachers within the Hub.
  • A minimum of two foundation members per Hub. 
  • A minimum of two parent representatives (1 per school, or 2 if only one school in the Hub).
  • Other members will be appointed with the appropriate required skill base.

The membership of a community school (no church schools) Ethos and Advisory Committee is as follows:

  • The Heads Teachers within the Hub.
  • A minimum of two parent representatives (1 per school, or 2 if only one school in the Hub).
  • Other members will be appointed with the appropriate required skill base.

The CEO or their representative will advise and support the Ethos and Advisory Committee as necessary. 

Appointments

Parent Committee Members

There will be a minimum of two parent committee members on a Hub committee. A maximum of one parent from each school will be appointed as a Parent Committee Member.  If there is only one school in the Hub, two will be appointed.  Where there is more than one expression of interest it will be necessary to hold an election per school.

Foundation Committee Members

Local Foundation Committee Members serve in church schools and mixed school Hubs which are part of the School Trust.  These members of the committee are appointed with the approval of Exeter Diocesan Education Network (EDEN).  The role is to undertake those responsibilities outlined in the Scheme of Delegation agreed by the School Trust.  It is the responsibility for the Foundation committee members to understand the Scheme of Delegation. The committee member will support and challenge items relating specifically to the Christian ethos and distinctiveness of the schools.

Role of the Ethos and Advisory Committee

The role of the Ethos and Advisory Committee (EAC) is to support, inform, advise and challenge provision; working together, empowering excellence and improving outcomes for all children. Working with the Head Teacher, Executive Team and Trust Board, the EAC is a local voice and a link with local communities and churches (church schools) as well as being advocates for all schools within our School Trust. 

As ambassadors for the schools, the EAC can play a crucial role in enriching community relationships and communication; contributing to the collective effectiveness of schools and the Board of Trustees.

The main role of the EAC is to be able to express and act on local views and issues – views of parents and the community, etc. One of the key purposes of the EAC is to ensure that the schools are being a good expression of what and who the School Trust is in the local community. Therefore, these roles are about ensuring that the School Trust ethos is “lived” out in the schools on a day-to-day basis.

The roles translate specifically into the following tasks that the EAC undertakes

  • It acts as a key link between the schools, parents and local community.
  • It supports the work of the schools in the community. 
  • It supports the Head Teacher and Leadership Team in the development and implementation of the Academy Development Plans and other relevant plans, ensuring that the School Trust ethos remains at the heart of the community.  
  • It offers challenging but positive and proactive support to the Head Teacher.  
  • It regularly reviews the school’s performance in relation to the KPIs (Key Performance Indicators).
  • Through the work of the Chairs Forum, receive information updates from the Board of Trustees and ensure that information from the Board is disseminated to the EAC.
  • Preserving and supporting the School Trust Foundation and Christian distinctiveness of church schools.
  • Contributing to local panels and working parties: e.g. admissions, exclusions, appeals panel, appointments, complaints, worship (church schools)  and celebrations, etc.
  • Oversight of safeguarding, SEND, pupil premium and Christian distinctiveness and ethos (church schools).
  • Succession planning for the EAC.