Skip to content
Back
Strategic planning

Smarter Governance, Stronger School: Getting Risk Management Right in a Single Academy Trust

Enquire online
Training & development
12/04/2023

At a glance

Falling rolls, inclusion reforms, tight budgets and pressure to collaborate mean the risks facing single academy trusts have never been more real, or more predictable. This lively, practical two-hour session gives trustees the confidence to oversee risk throughout the year, meet the Academy Trust Handbook's requirements and make better decisions. 

Fully bespoke

This session can be tailored to the circumstances of your trust.

A one-and-a-half to two-hour live session

This course can be tailored to the time available.

Live online or in person

Format can be tailored to your needs.

about this course

What the Course Will Cover

On completion of this course participants will be able to: 

  • explain what risk management is and why it matters for your trust now 
  • understand who does what: members, trustees, audit and risk committee, accounting officer and auditors 
  • know how the trust's risk register is built, scored and reviewed 
  • use the 3 Ms (measure, manage, monitor) and the four Ts together 
  • set and review the trust's risk appetite, as DfE's governance guide expects 
  • know what to do and when, from management accounts to internal scrutiny 
  • scrutinise risk reports, seeking assurance rather than reassurance 
  • use risk to shape strategy, budgets, growth and partnerships 
Decorative

about this course

Who is this suitable for?

  • trustees of single academy trusts, new or experienced 
  • chairs and members of audit and risk, or finance, committees 
  • headteachers, finance leads, clerks and governance professionals 
  • whole trust boards (see below) 

about this course

What are the benefits?

  • Spot big risks, like falling rolls, inclusion changes and pressure to join a larger trust, early enough to act 
  • Meet the Academy Trust Handbook and governance guide expectations with confidence 
  • Sharper scrutiny, and a risk register that drives internal scrutiny 
  • Better decisions that make the most of opportunities 

about this course

How will you learn?

  • A live, interactive two-hour session, online via Zoom or in person 
  • Expert input mixed with practical activities and realistic scenarios 
  • A 20-minute pre-course task, plus a toolkit, infographic and answers to keep 

Bespoke training and development

Tailor it to your board

For your own governing board, within the same two hours, the course can include: 

  • a health check of your own risk register, with three agreed improvements 
  • a quick review of your board's approach to risk 
  • your own risk appetite, risk report and a real decision in the activities 

The benefit: your governing board leaves equipped with a clear approach to effective risk management and its own action plan.

Decorative

Enquire now to book this for your board(s)

Book your training

If you would like to book a session or find out more then make an enquiry.

Enquire online

This course is suitable for a single academy or a group of single academy trusts to share.

It is also suitable for governors and trustees from different schools, as part of a local authority training offer.

Related content

See all training