Local Governance Committee
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 Governance Committee (LGC) to focus on providing support, overcoming challenges in the delivery of educational excellence, and outstanding outcomes for all pupils.
There are direct channels of communication between the principal and the LGC chair and central services. The clerk to the board of trustees will hold contact details for all members of LGCs within TWHF. However, routine communication for day-to-day school business should come from the chair of that LGC, managed by the school or through an LGC clerk.
The principal and the chair of the LGC are responsible for ensuring the quality and timely distribution of all material needed to keep LGC members well-informed about the school and TWHF. The principal and the chair are also responsible for ensuring the views of the LGC have good lines of communication 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 attend any LGC.
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 LGC:
1. Talk about teaching and learning.
2. Know a great deal about the school and its community.
3. Are ambitious for the school and its community.
4. 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.
5. Maintain strong and effective relationships within TWHF.
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 LGCs, chairs groups, principals, the central team, and the executive leadership team.
Current Local Governance Committee
Helen Wollington - Principal & Designated Safeguarding Lead
Kirsty John - Chair of Governors
Elizabeth Wilson - Clerk
Tracy Booth - Staff (Non Teaching) Governor
Kevin Daws - Co-opted Local Governor
Nicola Langford - Parent Local Governor
Samuel Bullas - Teacher Governor
Register of Interests 2022-23 and Attendance 2021-22
Governors have been appointed by the board of trustees and will serve a four-year term.
| Name | Role | Nature of Interests | Date Interest Registered | Terms of Office | Attendance 2020-21 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lee Edmonds | Principal | Nil | N/A | N/A |
7 of 7 |
| Kirsty John | Chair of Governors | Nil | 08/11/2021 | 08/11/2021 - 08/11/2025 |
6 of 7 |
| Elizabeth Wilson | Clerk | Nil | N/A | N/A |
7 of 7 |
| Tracy Booth | Staff (Non Teaching) Governor | Nil | N/A | 17/09/2020 - 16/09/2024 |
7 of 7 |
| Annabelle Avis | Parent Governor | Nil | N/A | 02/02/2021 - 01/02/2025 |
6 of 7 |
| Kevin Daws | Co-opted Local Governor | Nil | 07/03/2022 | 07/03/2022 - 15/04/2024 | 4 of 7 |
| Nicola Langford |
Parent Local Governor |
Parent of a Child in The School | 15/03/2023 | 15/03/2023 - 14/03/2027 | N/A |
| Samuel Bullas | Teacher Governor | Nil | N/A | 23/11/2023 - 22/11/2027 | N/A |
Previous Governors
Charmaine Godby - Left 16th November 2022 (attended 3 of 7)
Claire Maher - Left 2nd August 2022 (attended 3 of 7)
Paula Lender Swain - Left 8th November 2021 (attended 2 of 6 meetings)
Nina Gale - Left 16th September 2021
Helen Swanson - Left 31st August 2021
Hayley Njie - Left 4th October 2023
Kelly Hall - Left 23rd November 2023
Lee Edmonds - Left 9th January 2024
Annabelle Avis - Left 15th April 2024
The White Horse Federation Governance Information
Each school has its own local governance committee (LGC). The chair of each LGC 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 executive board has clearly identified the areas of responsibility that they delegate to the LGCs. Although not in any way legally responsible, and not itself accountable for the statutory functions, the LGC has an important role to play in assisting the school to operate effectively in line with the wishes of TWHF executive board as communicated to the LGC.
To learn more, visit The White Horse Federation website.
Click on the button below to access TWHF governance information, including:
- Annual report
- Annual audited accounts
- Memorandum of association
- Articles of association
- Names of charity trustees and members
- Funding agreement