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
Terry Finlay - Co-Opted Governor for Safeguarding & Maths
Kay Dunlop - Staff Governor (Non-Teaching)
Jess Wicks - Staff Governor (Teaching)
Chris Light - Principal
Kim Sheppard - Clerk to Governors
Jordan Lanfear - Parent Governor and Governor for Safeguarding
Sharon Hellyer - Co-opted Governor & Governor for English
Register of Interests 2023-24
| Name | Role | Nature of Interests | Date Interest was registered | Terms of Service |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Terry Finlay |
Vice Chair and Governor for Maths |
- | N/A |
17/10/2022 - 16/10/2026 |
| Jordan Lanfear | Parent Governor and Governor for Safeguarding |
- |
N/A | 10/03/2023 - 09/03/2027 |
| Will Raikes-May | Community Local Governor | - | N/A | 01/12/2009 - 30/12/2023 |
| Jess Wicks | Staff Governor (Teaching) |
TWHF employee Trustee for Sporting Family Change Charity |
01/09/2019 01/07/2014 |
01/09/2023 - 31/08/2027 |
| Kay Dunlop | Staff Support Local Governor | TWHF employee | 01/01/2004 |
04/01/20 - 03/01/2024 |
| Sharon Hellyer | Co-opted Governor & Governor for English | - | N/A | 28/07/2023 - 27/07/2027 |
| Chris Light | Headteacher | WHF employee | 06/06/2022 | N/A |
| Kim Sheppard | Clerk |
WHF employee Married to the Site Manager at Haydon Wick Primary School LGB Clerk at Grange Junior School LGB Clerk at Bowerhill Junior School |
14/09/2015 16/08/2020 01/09/2021 13/12/2022 |
N/A |
Previous Governors
Sam Ponsford - Left 13/10/2023 (attended 2 of 4 meetings)
Will Raikes-May - Left 31/12/2023 (attended 1 of 2 meetings)
Meet our Local Governance Committee
Terry Finlay - Chair
My name is Terry Finlay and I have been a governor at Bowerhill School for over 25 years and I have previously been a trustee of a local multi academy trust. I am now retired but was a Commercial Banking Relationship Manager for schools across central England. My two children attended Bowerhill school and both now work in education sector themselves. Currently I have grandchildren who attend the school. With my many years experience I want to help the school become the best it can.
Sharon Hellyer - Co-opted Governor
My name is Sharon Hellyer. I have 2 children, now adults, who attended Bowerhill Primary and 2 grandchildren. I live in Melksham with my husband and a cat. I enjoy walking and am involved in a local amateur drama club. I taught at Bowerhill Primary School before going on to be a Literacy Advisor for Wiltshire and training to become a Reading Recovery Teacher Leader. I am looking forward to working with the school to help create their vision for the best outcomes for the pupils of Bowerhill.
Jordan Lanfear - Parent Governor
I'm Jordan. I work in the civil service and have done for several years. When not at work or governor meetings you'll find me and my three children out on long dog walks.
Welcome from the Chair
The local governors have an overview of a number of key areas. Parent local governors in particular are here to represent your view and can help you if you have any questions or concerns. If you would like to speak to a local governor informally, we can often be found on the school playground before school. If you would like to contact us formally or are unable to come and speak to us personally, we can be contacted through the school office or in writing by leaving a letter for the attention of the chair of the local governance committee.
Please note: that we meet 6 times a year so it may not always be possible to answer a query straight away. However, your query will always be acknowledged and we will endeavour to give you a timescale for answering your questions.
Minutes are available on request by contacting the school office.
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 Board of Trustees. 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 Board of Trustees as communicated to the LGC.
To learn more, visit The White Horse Federation website
Governor's Attendance Information
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