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.
If you have any questions for the local governance committee, you are welcome to contact them via the clerk to governors. You can do this by leaving a note for the attention of the clerk at the school office or sending an email to [email protected].
Chair of Governors - Charlotte Christie - c/o West Kidlington Primary School, Oxford Road, Kidlington Oxford. OX5 1EA
Current Local Governance Committee
Local Governors have been elected by parents or staff or co-opted by the LGC and will serve a four-year term of office. The Principal is also a local governor.
Simon Isherwood - Principal & Deputy Safeguarding Lead
Charlotte Christie - Chair of Governors
Alison Cook - Clerk
Suzi Sentance - Parent Governor
Jonathan Cassidy - Parent Governor
Daniel Pearson - Staff Governor
Charlotte Christie - Chair of Governors
Charlotte worked for many years for Oxfordshire County Council and is now an independent education consultant. She has wide experience of working with headteachers and governors in all types of schools and has also frequently delivered training for governors. She has been a member of 4 IEBs, one as chair. In the past, she worked with the school as the local authority adviser.
Simon Isherwood - Principal
I joined West Kidlington Primary School as the principal in September 2016. I am highly motivated to improve the education provision for all children in the school. I see a tremendous spirit throughout the school and would like to provide, through my role as principal and governor, a school that is current, inspiring, and pioneering. Prior to this appointment, I was headteacher at Bladon CE Primary School for five years. I have also worked as a school improvement advisor for the local authority. My wife is a teacher and my two children attend Oxfordshire primary and secondary schools. We talk school a lot in my house!
Date of Appointment. 5th September 2016
Alison Cook - Clerk to the LGC
Alison works as a higher-level teaching assistant at West Kidlington Primary School. Initially appointed as clerk to the governing body in January 2016, she has more recently undertaken clerking duties for the IEB and the TMB. She now acts as clerk for the LGC.
Jonathan Cassidy - Parent Governor
I am a secondary Mathematics teacher with 25 years' experience teaching in a variety of schools in England, Scotland and abroad. I am currently teaching in Thame. I have two children, one a boy in KS2 at the school. I also have a 20-year-old son who has an Autistic Spectrum Disorder. His journey through education has given me first-hand experience of SEN provision in Oxfordshire, both positively and negatively. Since my younger son started the school, I have been incredibly impressed with all aspects of the teaching and learning, particularly during COVID.
Date of appointment 30th March 2023
Suzi Sentance - Parent Governor
My son has been at West Kidlington School for the past two years. We are very happy that we chose this school as we believe it has a friendly, welcoming ethos where the children all support one another and the staff is a real team. I would like the opportunity to support the wider school community and help make decisions that benefit all the children. I have previous experience as a teacher, with ten years in mainstream primaries and six years in SEND teaching as a Teacher of Deaf Children and Young People, including having previously been part of the Leadership Team and having served as a Teacher Governor. I understand the strategic overview of the governing body, as it oversees school policies and practices, supports the headteacher and the White Horse Federation, monitors progress and School Improvement Plans and makes decisions that are in the best interest of all pupils. From a classroom perspective, I also understand the potential successes and difficulties for pupils and staff and the importance of having a holistic approach to support. I can bring my professional expertise, having led schools in English, Performing Arts and Religious Education as well as working in SEND, but also my perspective as a parent. I am committed to supporting the school’s success and continued fairness and inclusivity.
Daniel Pearson - Staff Governor
Date of appointment 5th October 2023
Register of Interests 2023-24 and Attendance 2022-23
| Name | Position/Name of Organisation | Role | Nature of Interest | Date Interest Registered | Attendance 2022-23 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simon Isherwood | None | Literacy and Numeracy Champion | - | 04/10/2018 | 4 of 5 |
| Charlotte Christie | C Christie Education Ltd (Educational Consultancy) | Safeguarding Champion, Literacy and Numeracy Champion |
Director |
04/10/2018 | 5 of 5 |
| Jonathan Cassidy | Parent Governor | Parent Governor |
None Declared |
30/03/2023 - 29/03/2027 |
3 of 3 |
| Suzi Sentance | Parent Governor | Parent Governor | TBC | TBC | TBC |
Previous Governors
Matthew Payne
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