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 (LGC)
Charlotte Harmer - Principal / Headteacher
Moira Laffey - Chair of LGC & Trust Appointed Governor
Katie King - Trust Appointed Governor
Richard Mealand - Trust Appointed Governor
Sophie Thomas - Trust Appointed Governor
Kerry Ball - Staff Governor
Fiona Jenkins - Staff Governor
Charlie Harmer - Parent Governor
Dr. Moira Laffey – Chair of LGC
Champion – Safeguarding, Maths & English
Moira has a PhD in Chemistry. After a few years working as a civil servant, she saw the light and retrained to teach. She initially specialised in supporting adults with difficulties with maths; then by a happy accident embarked on a career in independent prep schools. Over the years she held posts as teacher, head of department, deputy head, and head.
In 2016 Moira became a governor of a primary school in Wiltshire and as chair in 2018 took the school through the due diligence to join TWHF in March 2018. She has particular interests in the teaching of maths and the opportunities for governors to network and obtain training. She is delighted to be the representative of TWHF local governing bodies on The Trust Board and will work to support good communication.
Register of Interests 2024-25 and Attendance 2023-24
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 2023-24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte Harmer | Head Teacher & Local Governor | TWHF employee and husband is a local governor | 01/09/2022 | ||
| Dr Moira Laffey | Chair/Trust Appointed Governor | TWHF Trustee - Sep 1, 2020 TWHF LGC Chair of Melksham Oak - April 1, 2021 |
02/09/2021 | 30/06/2021- 01/07/2025 | |
| Kerry Ball | Staff (PSA), Comms and Engagement | THWF Employee, child at school, Personal Business NerD provided stationery and vinyl stickers to school as need | 08/09/2021 | 27/01/2024 - 26/01/2028 | |
| Fiona Jenkins | Staff (Teaching) | THWF Employee, children at school | 10/09/2021 | 27/01/2024 - 26/01/2028 | |
| Charlie Harmer | Trust Appointed Governor | Wife is a TWHF employee at Larkhill, Royal Artillery charities Trustee | 23/03/2022 | 23/03/2022 - 22/03/2026 | |
| Richard Mealand | Trust Appointed Governor | Nil | 23/03/2022 | 23/03/2022 - 22/03/2026 | |
| Sophie Thomas | Trust Appointed Governor | English Heritage Employee | 11/07/2023 | 11/07/2023 - 10/07/2027 | n/a |
| Katie King | Trust Appointed Governor | 16/10/2024 - 15/10/2028 | n/a |
Governors Who Left in the Past 12 Months
Trevor Wood - Trust Appointed Governor - Resigned 05/12/2024
Richard Dewdney - Trust Appointed Governor - Resigned 01/12/2024
David Jenkins - Parent Governor - Resigned 19/07/2024
Andrew Nothard - Trust Appointed Governor - Resigned 19/07/2024
Shelley Hills - Trust Appointed Governor - Resigned 19/07/2024
Minutes of meetings are available from the school office upon request.
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