The Local Governing Body

The strategic leadership and oversight of our schools is undertaken by our Executive Head Teacher and Senior Leadership Team with  support and challenge from the Board of Trustees. The Board is made up of representatives from our school communities; each person bringing different strengths and expertise to the Board, (see The Trust web sections for profiles of the Board).

In order to provide further challenge and support and, importantly, to maintain the local distinctiveness of each of our schools, the Board of Trustees delegates a range of responsibilities to Local Governing Bodies (LGB).

Each LGB meets at least once a term where issues of school improvement and targets for the future development  are discussed.  Specific responsibilities for the LGBs are outlined in the TEAM Multi-Academy Trust's Scheme of Delegation (see attached below). Where an LBG is representing a Church School (Pilton Bluecoat, Witheridge and High Bickington) the groups also fulfil the role of an Ethos Committee and will additionally oversee the work of the Christian Foundation within the school.

Local Governing Bodies are directly responsible to the Board of Trustees.  To ensure good communication and continuity between the two groups, each Local Governing Body is chaired by a representative from the Trustees.  Alongside, local Heads of School are present at their Local Governing Body meetings and provide a range of information for the governors to discuss and question.  Local Heads also report back to the MAT Chief Executive Officer regarding any matters arising from their meetings.

Our governing body ensures the school is held to account and supported. They provide quality assurance against the school improvement plan and play a critical role in co-creating the vision excellent education here at Witheridge Academy. If you would like to volunteer, please contact admin@witheridge.devon.sch.uk for further details. 

Our Local Governing body is made up of the following members:

Philippa Sue Wells (Chair)

Lucy Ratcliffe (Head of School)

Adrian Wells (Parish Incumbent)

Phil Asson (Parent)

Kathryn Stewart (Parent, Staff)

Darren Henson

 

The role of governors and trustees

This animated film explains the crucial role school governors and trustees play in children and young people’s education. 

 

wHY I BECAME A GOVERNOR

“I became a Governor because I wanted to be involved in the school community and know more about the workings of the school my children attend. I hoped that I would be able to help and support the Governance team and school staff with both a parental and professional perspective (because I teach and lead education elsewhere). In taking on the position I have been able to develop my own CPD, recruit more members, observe the school in action, and report on aspects of monitoring and feedback when new policies have been introduced. I now lead the team as Chair of Governors, and it is incredibly rewarding to work together with a shared school ethos, especially within a Multi-Academy Trust with a well structured and organised team of Trustees and Leadership that drive the focus of our meetings. To know we are all working together for the good of the children and all of the staff is an excellent opportunity to ‘give something back’ that I would recommend to anyone who can make the time to help.”

Caroline - LGB Member, Pilton Bluecoat Academy

"I was a Local Governor at High Bickington Primary school, when the school joined TEAM Academy Trust I became a Trustee. Being a trustee is a bit like running a company, we don’t make individual decisions, but we ask questions to make sure that TEAM schools have the staff, resources and facilities that they need to give our children the best education. 

All the trustees have different backgrounds and skills, so we work together to support the leadership team but also scrutinise their performance. It is interesting to find out about all the different things that happen in a school, and it is rewarding to feel able to help the staff with some of their important decisions."

Susie - Trustee, TEAM Academy Trust