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.

Governors

Matt Oswin

Matt Oswin

Parent Local Governor

Hi, I am Helen, I have been a governor at Haydon Wick Primary School for over 20 years! I have 3 children and they have all attended Haydon Wick, 2 are adopted and have SEN needs and my experience of this helps me as a governor to look at school and education from the point of view of other children and parents with these experiences. I have 2 dogs who keep me fit, and generally get me muddy! In between kids and dogs and being a governor, I work as an ISO certifications consultant and Data Protection Officer focusing on Information Security and Quality.

Helen Fowler

Helen Fowler

Chair of Governors

Hi, I am Helen, I have been a governor at Haydon Wick Primary School for over 20 years! I have 3 children and they have all attended Haydon Wick, 2 are adopted and have SEN needs and my experience of this helps me as a governor to look at school and education from the point of view of other children and parents with these experiences. I have 2 dogs who keep me fit, and generally get me muddy! In between kids and dogs and being a governor, I work as an ISO certifications consultant and Data Protection Officer focusing on Information Security and Quality.

Mariann Rahman

Mariann Rahman

Parent Local Governor

I'm Mariann Rahman. My son is in year one at Haydon Wick Primary School. I currently work as the European Quality Manager for a Chemical company in Swindon. I'm delighted to be a Governor for Haydon Wick Primary and support it as it continues to thrive. Outside of work and spending time with my family & friends, I enjoy outdoor exercise and can often be spotted wearing a collection of colourful leggings"

Donna Walker

Donna Walker

Parent Local Governor

Hi, I'm Donna. I have two children currently attending Haydon Wick Primary School. I have worked in a variety of roles within banking and finance over the last 20 years, and I am currently a senior risk underwriter at a building society in Swindon. I am very passionate about supporting children to understand basic banking and finance skills through fun learning to support them in later life. We have a French bulldog called Bruce and a cat called Tilly at home, the cat is definitely the one in charge!! I am excited and honoured to be part of the local governing board where I feel my skills and experience will enable me to support Haydon Wick Primary School on their journey.

Our Local Governance Committee

Mrs Claire Leach - Principal & Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

Kathryn Carter - Staff (Teaching) Governor

Natalie D’Rozario - Co-opted Governor

David Maine - Co-opted Governor

Elizabeth Wilson - Clerk

Jenny Hodges - Staff Governor (Non Teaching)

Colin Vale - Parent Governor

Andrew Mcllvain - Co-opted Governor

Register of Interests 2023-24 and Attendance 2022-23

Governors have been appointed by the board of trustees and will serve a four-year term.

Name Role Nature of Interests Date Interests Registered Terms of Office Attendance 2022-23

Claire Leach

 Principal TWHF Employee N/A N/A

6 of 6

Lara Crowley

 Vice Chair of Governors Nil N/A 29/01/2020 - 28/01/2024 5 of 6

Natalie D’Rozario

 Co-opted Governor Nil N/A 25/01/2017 - 24/01/2021 4 of 6

David Maine

Co-opted Governor

 TWHF Employee 11/07/2018 11/07/2018 - 10/07/2022 5 of 6
Elizabeth Wilson Clerk Nil N/A N/A 6 of 6
Kathryn Carter Staff Governor Nil 28/06/2021 28/06/2021- 27/06/2025

6 of 6
Jenny Hodges Staff Governor (Non Teaching) Nil 16/11/2021 16/11/2021 - 15/11/2025

5 of 5
Colin Vale Parent Governor Nil 19/07/2023 19/07/2023 - 18/07/2025 N/A
Andrew Mcllvain Co-opted Governor     24/04/2024  

Previous Governors

Paul Williams - Left 29th March 2023 (attended 6 of 6 meetings)

Lara Crowley - Left 22nd July 2022 (attended 5 of 6 meetings)

Kelly Steer - Left 20th July 2022 (attended 3 of 6 meetings)

TWHF Governance Information

Each school has its own local governance committee (LGC). 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 executive board. 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 executive board as communicated to the LGC.

To learn more, visit The White Horse Federation website.

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

TWHF GOVERNANCE INFORMATION