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:

  • 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.

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.

Minutes are available on request from the school office.

Current Local Governance Committee

Amy Edwards - Headteacher, Designated Safeguarding Lead

Rachel Sims - Chair of Governors, Co-opted Local Governor

Sharon Noyes - Co-opted Local Governor

Moira Laffey - Co-opted Local Governor

Lianne McCarthy - Co-opted Local Governor

Zoe Pletts - Staff (Support) Local Governor, Family Support Advisor and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead

Fay Pearce - Staff (Teaching) Local Governor, 04/09/2023 - 03/09/2027, no declarations of interest.

Register of Interests 2022-23 and Attendance 2021-22

Local Governors have been appointed by the Board of Trustees and will serve a four-year term.

 Name Role Nature of Interests Date Interests Registered Terms of Office Attendance 2021-22

Amy Edwards

 Headteacher TWHF Employee

01/09/2022

 01/09/2022 -
02/01/2026

N/A


Rachel Sims

Chair of Governors

 Trustee of Friends of Southbroom Infants' (FOSI)

Haine and Smith Opticians Employee

General Opticial Council Member

Association of British Dispensing Opticians Member

Parent

 25/11/2020 01/09/2022 - 01/09/2026 5 of 5
Sharon Noyes Co-opted Local Governor - 27/09/2021 27/09/2021 - 29/09/2025 5 of 5
Moira Laffey Co-opted Local Governor

TWHF Chair of LGC at Larkhill and Melksham Oak

TWHF Trustee

 11/07/2022 11/07/2022 - 10/07/2026 N/A
Lianne McCarthy Co-opted Local Governor Parent   13/10/2022 -
12/10/2026		  
Zoe Pletts Staff (Support) Local Governor TWHF Employee   12/01/2023- 11/01/2027  

Previous Governors 

Samuel Worsfold - Left 20/06/2023

Rachel McCarthy - Left 27/01/2023

Rebecca (Bex) Thompson - Left 23/09/2022

Joanne Jardim - Left 31/08/2022

Jean Edwards - Left 31/08/2022

Susi Waters - Left 20/10/2021 (attended 6 of 6 meetings)

Harriet Hannah - Left 01/02/2021

Ellen Woodroffe - Left 10/12/2020

Amanda Smith - Left 07/12/2020

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

TWHF GOVERNANCE INFORMATION