The role of the local governing body
In order to understand the role and responsibilities of the local governing body within Great Heath Academy it is important to recognise that the governing body of a school that is part of a multi-academy trust, such as this one is, is very different from that of a single academy school or a community school.
The main difference is that the trust is the accountable body and ultimate decision-making body and not the local governors, or local governance tier as they are known, and it is the trustees who decide how governance works at individual academy level and what responsibilities are delegated to the local tier. The trust board can, at any time choose to remove those delegated responsibilities or change the committee structure. So, in a nutshell the local governing body is a committee of, and dependent on, the trust board for any decision-making powers.
So, what is the role of the local governing body at Great Heath Academy?
The local governing body is an informed local community resource with a unique local perspective and a delegated responsibility to provide challenge and support to the academy and the Trust. Local governors are the “eyes and ears” of the trustees in the local community.
In line with the trust’s Scheme of Delegation, local governors are responsible for supporting academy improvement and engaging with academy leaders and the community in order to ensure that all students reach their full potential, regardless of background or level of ability.
This academy is part of a local cluster. This means that the governing bodies of two or more academies come together to form one local governing body chaired by an Executive Chair.
Fully supported by the Trust’s Governance Team and the Executive Chair, local governors of Great Heath Academy are responsible for:
- Knowing, understanding and challenging pupils’ overall progress and attainment. This means being clear about where the attainment gaps are, what provisions are in place to close those gaps and the impact of those provisions.
- Monitoring child protection and welfare in the academy including attendance, behaviour, suspensions and permanent exclusions.
- Receiving and noting summary management accounts and risk registers provided by the academy.
- Hearing any appeals as part of the complaints process and sitting on discipline panels in relation to suspensions and permanent exclusions.
- Evaluating their own effectiveness through the local governing body action plan, skills audit and clerk-led self-evaluation.
School visits help governors to understand more about their academy and the reality of school life. We encourage governors to take on specific roles, dependent upon their interests and visit their academy.
Being a governor is a very rewarding experience. You will be part of a team who is working to improve the life chances of children, some of whom come from very challenging backgrounds. You will learn new skills whilst giving something back to the community you live and work in. Our local Governors are committed to Transforming Lives, they give their time and energy to oversee the academy and take on a lot of responsibility. Governance is enhanced by a team from a diverse range of professional, social and cultural backgrounds, if you are interested in becoming a local community governor please get in touch with us.
Contact the Governors
The Governance Team
If you have feedback, or need support with a concern, our Governance Team are here to help. Emily, our Head of Governance, along with Amber, Jo and Jess, our Governance Clerks, all work closely together and will ensure any communications regarding your academy get to the correct person for response and will support you in the process. The team would also be delighted to hear from you if you are considering becoming a governor yourself and would like some information about it. They can be found via the following:
- Email: governance@attrust.org.uk
- Telephone: Leave a message via 01638 713430
- Address: FAO Clerk to the Governors, Great Heath Academy, Girton Close, Mildenhall, Suffolk. IP28 7PT
Meet The Governors
Steve Shore, Local Community Governor, Executive Chair
Term of Office: 24/01/2023 – 23/01/2027 appointed by the ATT Trustees
Quality of Curriculum and Leadership and Management Link Governor
Jane Seaney, Local Community Governor, Vice Chair
Term of Office: 01/01/2023 – 31/12/2026 appointed by the LGB
Safeguarding (including LAC) Link Governor
Gemma Brown, Local Parent Governor
Term of Office: 26/06/2024 – 25/06/2028 appointed by the Parents
Community and Parent Voice Link Governor
Julie Davis, Local Community Governor
Term of Office: 08/11/2024 – 07/11/2028 appointed by the LGB
Pupil Mental Health & Wellbeing Link Governor
Lynsey Ramsell, Local Staff Governor
Term of Office: 01/01/2023 – 31/12/2026 appointed by Great Heath Academy Staff
Staff Voice, Mental Health and Wellbeing Link Governor
Mark Jeffries, Local Community Governor
Term of Office: 15/03/2024 – 14/03/2028 appointed by the LGB
Attendance and Behaviour (including OPAL) Link Governor
Molly Guise, Local Staff Governor
Term of Office: 26/01/2023 – 25/01/2027 appointed by Beck Row Staff
Staff Voice, Mental Health and Wellbeing Link Governor
Stephanie Roberson, Local Parent Governor
Term of Office: 18/05/2023 – 17/05/2027 appointed by the Parents
SEND Link Governor
Susan Ratkovsky, Local Community Governor
Term of Office: 13/01/2025 – 12/01/2029 appointed by the LGB
Pupil Premium and Disadvantaged Link Governor