Trust Services

As part of our role in supporting continuous improvement, Veritas Educational Trust offers cost-effective support which responds to school needs.

We closely monitor and support all core activities related to school improvement, finance, IT and digital technologies, facilities management and human resources. As well as DfE requirements, we have developed extra services to support schools in the areas of Finance, HR, ICT and Governance.

GOVERNANCE

Our Governance team, led by our Head of Governance Services, make sure Academy governance systems are effective and meet legal requirements. As a Trust we have been judged highly skilled and competent by the Confederation of School Trusts in their external independent expert review of our Trust Governance. We share our expertise and support in this area with other Academies and schools looking to explore the possibility of becoming an Academy.

School governors make up the largest voluntary organisation in the country. Academy governors (Trustees) are part of a team, working closely with senior leadership. The governing body (Trustees) is generally responsible for the conduct of an Academy with a view to promoting high standards of educational achievement and behaviour.
Governance ensures that:

• All governing bodies execute their statutory legal obligations in all aspects of governance effectively
• Communications between individual academies, their boards and the Trust is effective and transparent
• All governors and/or board members understand their role and know how to ask for help if it is required
• An agreed timetable for meetings and record collation is in place, and deadlines are established which support all aspects of governance and clear records are kept of all meetings.

FINANCE

Our Finance Team co-ordinate the financial activities, helping standardise processes (to nurture efficiency and best practice). We are also able to provide financial advice and support to our ‘partner’ schools.

We manage certain financial services centrally (such as auditing, payroll and accounting.) In this way we work together to achieve economies of scale, saving money when buying goods and services. We are keen to ensure that we manage our budgets effectively and generate surpluses in the medium term giving Veritas Educational Trust confidence in all aspects of ongoing viability. The Finance Team ensures that:

• Financial records are accurate, transparent, kept up to date on a timely basis and of a high quality
• Finance staff are effective and able to support the Senior Leadership Team and Governance
• Corporate purchasing systems result in measurable year on year financial savings.

HUMAN RESOURCES

Veritas Educational Trust recognises that our people are our greatest asset. Our Trust HR Team works closely on a wide range of 'people' issues, helping to achieve the best from staff and ultimately the best outcomes for students.

Our HR Team provides

• Access to consistent, up to date HR advice quickly
• Support in dealing with complex HR issues
• Hands on support if required, e.g. with trade union negotiation/consultation or complex case work
• For the avoidance of costly legal disputes, advice on claims and proceedings
• Access to quality advice, training and development for HR staff from ‘partner’ schools
• Advice on implementation of cloud-based integrated HR systems to ensure financial and time efficiencies and
  self-service options for our staff members.

ICT AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

Veritas Educational Trust has extensive expertise in supporting ICT needs, beginning with a thorough review of how technology might enhance teaching and learning. We then specify, source and install the most appropriate infrastructure and equipment for your needs and ensure its on-going management is cost-effective and educationally valuable.

We believe that using ICT to personalise and develop learning should be a continual process and that is why we offer ongoing advice, information and training so staff and students get maximum benefit from the investment. Our ICT support ensures that:

• schools have their own digital vision and strategy and how it supports learning
• ICT plans have clear targets aligned to ICT vision and curriculum
• technical advice is given in a non-technical format
• there is clear guidance on ICT strategy and procurement
• there are opportunities for sharing good practice.
• schools achieve their ICT vision.