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.
Current Local Governance Committee
- Clair Edwards - Headteacher
- Darren Townsend - Chair of LGC & Trust Appointed Governor
- Rob Green – Trust Appointed Governor
- Sarah Jeffreys – Trust Appointed Governor
- Vicky Hodgins – Parent Governor
- Callum James – Staff Governor
Register of Interests 2024-25 and Attendance 2023-24
Local Governors have been appointed by the board of trustees and will serve a four-year term.
| Name | Role | Nature of Interest | Date Interest Registered | Term of Office | Attendance 2021-22 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clair Edwards | Headteacher | TWHF Employee | 00/00/0000 Ex-officio | 0 of 0 | |
| Darren Townsend | Chair of LGC & Trust Appointed Governor | Chair of Governors at Gagle Brook and Southwold Primary Schools | 01/09/24 - 31/08/28 | N/A | |
| Rob Green | Trust Appointed Governor | Nil | 10/01/24 - 09/01/28 | N/A | |
| Sarah Jeffreys | Trust Appointed Governor | Nil | 30/01/24 - 31/08/28 | N/A | |
| Vicky Hodgins | Parent Governor | Parent of child at the school | 03/01/23 - 02/01/27 | 1 of 2 | |
| Callum James | Staff Governor | Nil | 24/01/22 - 23/01/26 | 3 of 3 |
Governors Who Left in the Past 12 Months
Idris Bowden – Staff Governor 14/01/2025
Claire Barker – Parent Governor 25/02/2025
Stephen Breakspear – Trust Appointed Governor 29/04/2025
The White Horse Federation Governance Information
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
- Gender Pay Gap Report
- Higher Paid Staff reports