As a Multi-Academy Trust (MAT), the Trust Board of Rainbow Education MAT is accountable, in law, for all major decisions concerning the academies.

The Trust Board is not required to carry out all the Trust’s governance functions and many can, and should, be delegated to the CEO & Executive Team and established sub-committees. The decision to delegate a function is made by the Trust Board. Without such delegation, the individual or Committee has no power to act.

The Scheme of Delegation (SoD) is the key document that defines lines of responsibility and accountability in a MAT to ensure the Members, Trustees, Trust Board Sub-Committees, Academy Committees (known locally as Local Academy Councils - LACs), Executive Leadership and Academy Headteachers understand their role and responsibilities.

The overarching SoD for decision making in the Trust should not be confused with the written Scheme of Delegation of financial powers referred to in the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) Academy Trust Handbook.