Overview
The governance of a multi-academy trust differs from those of maintained schools. The White Horse Federation (TWHF) believes that placing statutory responsibilities firmly at its centre, in the remit of the board of trustees, allows the local governing board (LGB) to focus on providing support, overcoming challenges in the delivery of educational excellence, and achieving outstanding outcomes for all pupils.
There are direct channels of communication between the principal and the LGB chair and central services. The clerk to the trustee board will hold contact details for all members of LGBs within TWHF. However, routine communication for day-to-day school business should come from the chair of that LGB, managed by the school or through an LGB clerk, if such a position is deemed necessary.
The principal and the chair of the LGB are responsible for ensuring the quality and timely distribution of all material needed to keep LGB members well-informed about the school and TWHF. The principal and the chair are also responsible for ensuring the views of the LGB are well communicated to the board of trustees. This can be done via the elected chair’s representative on the board of trustees. Senior executives from TWHF will be nominated by the CEO to sit on an LGB. Trustees reserve the right to attend any LGB meeting.
The White Horse Federation has a very clear and shared understanding of what constitutes good and effective governance. Schools within TWHF will be judged to have outstanding governance when members of the LGB:
- Talk about teaching and learning.
- Know a great deal about the school and its community.
- Are ambitious for the school and its community.
- Ask questions which make colleagues reflect, and that these discussions lead to delivering the very best outcomes for every child and adult within the school community.
- Maintain strong and effective relationships within TWHF.
In order for the shared model of governance to be effective for TWHF and the schools, it is essential that there is effective communication between the board of trustees, the LGBs, chairs groups, principals, the central team, and the executive leadership team.
If you need to contact the governors please click here to email the clerk, Bobs Damerell
Current Local Governors
Mrs Wollington - Headteacher, SENCO, Designated Safeguard Lead
Mr Darren Townsend - Chair of Governors
Mr Graeme Parrot - Parent Governor
Ms Rachel Lake - Co-opted Governor
Register of Interests 2021-22 & Attendance 2021-22
Governors have been appointed by the board of trustees and will serve a four-year term.
| Name | Position | Nature of Interest | Date registered | Date ceased | Terms of Office | Attendance 2021-22 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darren Townsend | Chair | None | 29/03/2017 | - | 28 |
5 |
| Graeme Parrott | Parent Governor | None | 12/07/2017 | - | 25 | 5 |
| Helen Curry | Community Governor | None | 01/11/2018 | 31/08/2022 | 17 | 3 |
| Rachel Lake | Co-opted Governor | None | 01/11/2020 | - | 7 | 4 |
| Georgie Buggs | Co-opted Governor | None | 05/05/2021 | 31/08/2022 | 8 | 2 |
Previous Governors
Laura Palmer - Left 15/12/2020
Greg Fogden - Left 31/10/2020
Georgie Buggs - Left 31/08/2022
Helen Curry - Left 31/08/2022
The White Horse Federation Local Governing Body
Each school has its own local governing body (LGB). The chair of each LGB will also sit on a collective group of similar chairs, from which one representative will be elected and then co-opted onto the executive board. This process will be repeated every two years, thus affording new chairs the opportunity to be similarly elected.
TWHF board of trustees has clearly identified the areas of responsibility that they delegate to the LGBs. Although not in any way legally responsible, and not itself accountable for the statutory functions, the LGB has an important role to play in assisting the school to operate effectively in line with the wishes of TWHF board of trustees as communicated to the LGB.
To learn more, visit The White Horse Federation website.