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 body (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 Board of Trustees will hold contact details for all local governors of schools within TWHF. However, routine communication for day-to-day school business should be via the chair of that LGB, managed by the school or through an LGB clerk.
The principal and the chair of the LGB are responsible for ensuring the quality and timely distribution of all materials needed to keep the local governors well-informed about the school and TWHF. The principal and the chair are also responsible for ensuring the views of the LGB are effectively communicated to the Board of Trustees. 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 local governance. Schools within TWHF will be judged to have outstanding local governance when the LGB:
- Talks about teaching and learning.
- Knows a great deal about the school and its community.
- Is ambitious for the school and its community.
- Asks 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.
- Maintains strong and effective relationships within TWHF.
Current Local Governors
Terry Finlay - Co-Opted Governor for Safeguarding & Maths
Kay Dunlop - Staff Governor (Non-Teaching)
Jess Wicks - Staff Governor (Teaching)
Will Raikes-May - Co-Opted Governor & Governor for SEN
Chris Light - Principal
Kim Sheppard - Clerk to Governors
Jordan Lanfear - Parent Governor and Governor for Safeguarding
Sam Ponsford - Parent Governor and Governor for Early Years
Sharon Hellyer - Co-opted Governor & Governor for English
Register Of Interests 2022-23 & 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 was registered | Terms of Service | Attendance 2020-21 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Terry Finlay |
Vice Chair and Governor for Maths |
None | 20.09.2021 | 01.04.2009 - NA | 4 of 6 |
| Jordan Lanfear | Parent Governor and Governor for Safeguarding |
None |
10.03.2023 | 10.03.2023 - 09.03.2027 | NA |
| Will Raikes-May | Community Local Governor | None | 02.09.2021 | 01.12.2015 - Re-elected | 5 of 6 |
| Jess Wicks | Staff Governor (Teaching) | None | Na | Na | NA |
| Kay Dunlop | Staff Support Local Governor | None | 03.09.2021 | 06.01.20 - 03.01.24 | 6 of 6 |
| Mrs Louise Gregory | Pupil Services Administrator | None | 05.09.2021 | 22.11.2017 - NA | 6 of 6 |
| Mrs Sarah Bowler | Other | Clerk to LGB TWHF employee Equa employee Child attends a TWHF school |
06.09.2021 | 06.09.2021 - 05.09.2025 | N/A |
| Sam Ponsford | Parent Governor and Governor for Early Years | None | 25.04.2023 | 25.04.2023 -
24.04.2027 |
N/A |
| Sharon Hellyer | Co-opted Governor & Governor for English |
Previous Governors - resigned in last 12 months
Yvonne Crook - left 14/10/2022 (attended 4 of 6 meetings)
Jo-Anne Harwood - left 23/11/2022 (attended 2 of 2 meetings)
Nigel Webster - left 02/02/2023 (attended 1 of 3 meetings)
Meet Our Local Governing Body
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.
Sam Ponsford - Parent Governor
Hi I'm Sam and I've recently become a Parent Governor at Bowerhill Primary School. I have a background in management across various sectors and I'm currently the owner and landlord of the local pub to the school, which allows me to be heavily involved in the community. I live at home with my wife, dog (Summer) and son who is currently in year 1. Outside of work I enjoy golf, rugby and SCUBA diving when time allows.
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.
Sharon Hellyer - Co-opted Governor & Governor for English
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.
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 on 01225 700964 or in writing by leaving a letter for the attention of the chair of the local governing body.
Alternatively, if you do not wish to contact us via the school or cannot pop into the office, you can contact the governors using the contact form on this page.
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 LGB 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 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
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