Audit
What
In this context, “Audit” describes the various ways in which ACE monitors the operational (as opposed to educational) effectiveness of its schools. It is not to be confused with the internal and external financial audits proscribed by the Academy Trust Handbook. The audits described here relate primarily to H&S, catering, and cleaning.
​
Why
One of the main functions of any multi-academy trust (MAT) is provide support functions to the individual schools it operates and to hold those schools to account in regards to their statutory responsibilities. Providing support and holding to account cannot take place effectively without insight into how effectively any given process is operating. Internal and external audit is vital to achieving such insight, and as such is necessary. The results of all audit can be used to drive improvement and/or to provide assurance to the board of trustees regarding important operational matters.
​
How
For more detailed information about exactly how we carry out H&S audit within ACE schools, please refer to the ACE Health and Safety Manual. However, in summary, we follow the below procedure for H&S and other operational audits:
Document 5.4 sets out in detail the various H&S related audits carried out by the Trust. These audits consist of:
-
An external H&S audit of each site once every three years
-
An external H&S audit of the Trust as a whole once every three years
-
An internal H&S audit annually
-
A H&S monitoring walk by local advocates annually
-
A standing item regarding H&S on local advisory board agendas three times per year
-
H&S support visits to each site by the ACE Operations Administrators three times per year
-
H&S reports submitted to the board of trustees by the Director of Operations five times per year
-
H&S Training reviews conducted at each school six times per year
-
Trust-wide H&S Committee meetings and training delivery conducted six times per year
In addition to the above, the Trust carries out cleaning audits and catering audits of each school site at regular intervals.
In this section:
​
​
​
​
5.1
An example of a catering action plan. This can be edited to reflect the specific school and its needs.
5.2
An example of a cleaning action plan. This can be edited to reflect the specific school and its needs.
5.3
Local Advocate Board H&S Visit Checklist
A document setting out the checklist used by local advocates when carrying out a H&S inspection of ACE schools
5.4
This document sets out cycle for H&S auditing across the Trust. Please note this should be completed directly on the relevant Every ‘Activity’ using the built-in checklist, rather than this manual checklist.
​
5.5
Headteacher Report (H&S and Compliance)
This document is completed by the ACE Operations Team and sent to Headteachers six times per year to give them an overview/update on how well their school is performing in relation to H&S and Compliance
​
5.6
A document setting out the checklist used by The ACE Operations Team when carrying out a H&S audit of ACE schools
​
5.7
H&S Administrator Support Visit Checklist
A checklist to be used by the ACE Operations Administrators when conducting a school H&S Administrator support visit in an ACE school
​
5.8
H&S Training Completion Review
A spreadsheet to be completed by each school’s H&S Administrator once per half-term (6 times per year) to help track the school’s performance in relation to maintaining H&S training for its staff
​
5.9
Compulsory Signage Display Review
A spreadsheet to be completed by each school’s H&S Administrator once per term (3 times per year) to help track the school’s performance in relation to the display of compulsory signage
​
5.10
A checklist to be used by the ACE Catering and Facilities Lead when conducting a catering audit in an ACE school
​
5.11
A checklist to be used by the ACE Catering and Facilities Lead when conducting a cleaning audit in an ACE school
​