The Trumpington Federation

Governance at the Federation

The Trumpington Federation Governing Body covers Fawcett Primary School and Trumpington Meadows Primary School.

Governors monitor the performance of the schools in our Federation. They protect the interests of the schools and the children, offer guidance and support and promote good communication with parents. They work with school staff to oversee the curriculum, manage the finances and ensure that all aspects of the Federation's provision are of a consistently high standard.

The Governing Body acts as a critical friend to the schools. They work closely with the Executive Headteacher and School Leadership Teams and make decisions collectively.

They conduct their business through meetings, using relevant documents and advice from the Headteachers for guidance. We are fortunate to have an extremely committed and skilled Governing Body who take a keen interest in the Federation and its continued development and success

The Full Governing Body meets twice a term and the two sub-committees, Teaching & Learning and Resources meet a minimum of once a term.

The legal responsibilities of the Governing Body are to:

Help raise standards of education and achievement
Plan the schools’ future direction
Take general responsibility for the conduct of the school
Manage the school budget, including staff numbers and pay
Make sure the curriculum is balanced and broad and that the school meets the requirements of the national curriculum.
Set targets for achievement
Report National Curriculum and assessment results
Decide how the school encourages pupils’ spiritual, moral, and cultural development

The Governing Body Chair is Liz Woodham who can be contacted via the Clerk to Governors (see below) or via chair@trufed.org.uk.

Governors can be contacted via either school or via the Clerk to Governors, at clerk@trufed.org.uk

Copies of meeting minutes are available on request.

Meet the Governors

Liz Woodham - Co-opted Governor - Co-Chair of Governing Body
	I joined Fawcett’s governing body in early 2011 as a ‘community governor’ and then became a member of the Trumpington Federation governing body when it was established. I started my career as a primary teacher in north London and now work in mathematics education. I am passionate about primary education being a broad and rich experience for all young children in our community.

Naomi Walker-Pearl - Parent Governor - Co-Chair of the Governing Body

I moved to Trumpington in August 2020 and now have a son at Trumpington Meadows and a daughter at nursery in Trumpington. Prior to moving to Trumpington, I was a secondary school English teacher in London, and I am now the Undergraduate Admissions Manager at Corpus Christi College, where I oversee the College’s admissions process and outreach projects. Both roles have shown me the importance of excellent state education being available for all children. I am pleased to be working with the team of governors to support our schools in providing the best start possible to the educational journey of our local children.

Sara Garnham - Partnership Governor - VIce Chair of the Governing Body and Chair of Teaching & Learning committee
	Sara has lived in Cambridge for over 30 years. She worked locally, nationally and internationally in the private sector; including as general manager for an exciting ed-tech start up. Currently Sara chairs a Cambridge housing association, Cambridge Housing Society. She is vice chair of Cambridgeshire Community Foundation and the Red Hen Project and is also vice chair of Havebury Homes based in Bury St Edmunds.

Sara Garnham - Partnership Governor - VIce Chair of the Governing Body and Chair of Teaching & Learning committee

Sara has lived in Cambridge for over 30 years. She worked locally, nationally and internationally in the private sector; including as general manager for an exciting ed-tech start up. Currently Sara chairs a Cambridge housing association, Cambridge Housing Society. She is vice chair of Cambridgeshire Community Foundation and the Red Hen Project and is also vice chair of Havebury Homes based in Bury St Edmunds.

Elenor Ling - Parent Governor - Chair of the Resources Committee
	I have worked as a curator at the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge since 2015. It’s a job that requires a constant degree of curiosity to prompt visitors to learn and to question preconceptions. It also requires good interpersonal skills: I need to be able to communicate ideas succinctly to a broad spectrum of people with different needs and from different backgrounds. I'm open and collaborative and a perceptive listener. One of my children joined Fawcett in 2021, and my other child will start soon; I would like to contribute to the school’s direction during this time.

Elenor Ling - Parent Governor - Chair of the Resources Committee

I have worked as a curator at the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge since 2015. It’s a job that requires a constant degree of curiosity to prompt visitors to learn and to question preconceptions. It also requires good interpersonal skills: I need to be able to communicate ideas succinctly to a broad spectrum of people with different needs and from different backgrounds. I'm open and collaborative and a perceptive listener.

One of my children joined Fawcett in 2021, and my other child will start soon; I would like to contribute to the school’s direction during this time.

Laura Robitaille - Staff Governor
	I have worked at the Federation for 5 years as a teacher in both Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. I currently teach Year 4 and lead on the subject of English. I also hold a teaching and learning responsibility.

Laura Robitaille - Staff Governor

I have worked at the Federation for 5 years as a teacher in both Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. I currently teach Year 4 and lead on the subject of English. I also hold a teaching and learning responsibility.

Gita Aminpour - Co-opted Governor
	I work for the University of Cambridge as an Operations Administrator in the Bennett School of Public Policy, dealing with diverse responsibilities, including assisting with recruitment, organising events and many other things. I have worked for other departments at the University since 2019 and have worked in my present role since 2024. In addition to serving as a Co-opted Governor at the Trumpington Federation, having been appointed in December 2024, I am also the Safeguarding, PSHE and RS Governor at the Trumpington Community College, having first been appointed in November 2021; Vice-Chair of the Cambridgeshire SACR; a member of the Patient Advisory Group for the upcoming Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital sitting on various work forces, including Acute Oncology; member of the CUH Patient Partnership Group/Committee, and as Chair of the Patient Participation Group Committee for a surgery with more than 20,000 patients. My husband and I moved to Trumpington, Cambridge in May 2019. Prior to this I lived for many years in London, where I grew up, working as an Underwriter for a major insurance company, and then as Account Handler for two major Lloyd’s of London insurance brokerage firms in the City of London, dealing with multi-national clients. My husband and I were at the Bahá’í World Centre in Haifa for several years, where we both worked in responsible positions. My family and I reside in Trumpington, and I am a mother of two adult children and grandmother to two small grandchildren.

Gita Aminpour - Co-opted Governor

I work for the University of Cambridge as an Operations Administrator in the Bennett School of Public Policy, dealing with diverse responsibilities, including assisting with recruitment, organising events and many other things. I have worked for other departments at the University since 2019 and have worked in my present role since 2024.

In addition to serving as a Co-opted Governor at the Trumpington Federation, having been appointed in December 2024, I am also the Safeguarding, PSHE and RS Governor at the Trumpington Community College, having first been appointed in November 2021; Vice-Chair of the Cambridgeshire SACR; a member of the Patient Advisory Group for the upcoming Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital sitting on various work forces, including Acute Oncology; member of the CUH Patient Partnership Group/Committee, and as Chair of the Patient Participation Group Committee for a surgery with more than 20,000 patients.

My husband and I moved to Trumpington, Cambridge in May 2019. Prior to this I lived for many years in London, where I grew up, working as an Underwriter for a major insurance company, and then as Account Handler for two major Lloyd’s of London insurance brokerage firms in the City of London, dealing with multi-national clients. My husband and I were at the Bahá’í World Centre in Haifa for several years, where we both worked in responsible positions.

My family and I reside in Trumpington, and I am a mother of two adult children and grandmother to two small grandchildren.

Rhiannon George -Co-opted Govenor
	I have two children at Trumpington Meadows, both were welcomed warmly as in-year joiners. I run my own business consultancy, working mainly in the software industry. I am passionate about the importance of education that is accessible to all. As the first person in my family to attend university, I am aware of the difference that education access can make to young people. I look forward to supporting the Federation in achieving that objective.

Rhiannon George -Co-opted Govenor

I have two children at Trumpington Meadows, both were welcomed warmly as in-year joiners. I run my own business consultancy, working mainly in the software industry. I am passionate about the importance of education that is accessible to all. As the first person in my family to attend university, I am aware of the difference that education access can make to young people. I look forward to supporting the Federation in achieving that objective.

Dirk Sinjan - Partnership Governor
	I moved to Trumpington with my wife in March 2025. With our children now independent, we’ve both embraced new professional roles in Cambridge. I have a background in engineering and law, and my career spans over 30 years in the energy sector, working in various countries across the world. After the pandemic, I took a sabbatical to work with the Red Cross in Belgium, managing refugee centres. In the past, I also served as a Trustee for Citizens Advice in London. I’m honoured to support the Federation as a governor, driven by the belief that a strong education for every child is the foundation for resilient communities and a sustainable future.

Dirk Sinjan - Partnership Governor

I moved to Trumpington with my wife in March 2025. With our children now independent, we’ve both embraced new professional roles in Cambridge. I have a background in engineering and law, and my career spans over 30 years in the energy sector, working in various countries across the world. After the pandemic, I took a sabbatical to work with the Red Cross in Belgium, managing refugee centres. In the past, I also served as a Trustee for Citizens Advice in London.

I’m honoured to support the Federation as a governor, driven by the belief that a strong education for every child is the foundation for resilient communities and a sustainable future.

David Yates - Co-opted Governor

I became a co-opted Governor in May 2026. I am now retired but have been a practising solicitor in both England and the United States. I have assisted in the management of a large global law firm, been a University professor of law, the founding professor and dean of a law school, a chair of governors of a university and the head of a Cambridge University college. I live in Trumpington Meadows adjacent to Trumpington Meadows school and while I am now retired I endeavour to bring the skills and experience that I have accumulated over my professional working life to my role as a Governor of the Trumpington Federation.

Jason French - Local Authority Governor
	My family and I have recently (November 2024) moved to Trumpington. Our daughter attends Trumpington Meadows and our son attends Trumpington Community College. Before our move to Cambridge, I worked as a primary school teacher for 18 years, including 4 years in Malaysia. I have chosen to become a governor to help support the school to enable all children in our care to thrive.

Jason French - Local Authority Governor

My family and I have recently (November 2024) moved to Trumpington. Our daughter attends Trumpington Meadows and our son attends Trumpington Community College. Before our move to Cambridge, I worked as a primary school teacher for 18 years, including 4 years in Malaysia. I have chosen to become a governor to help support the school to enable all children in our care to thrive.

Ollie Monro/Jemma Calverley - Ex officio - Executive Headteacher
Please see our staff pages for more information

Governors stepped down in the last 12 months
Name	Date of appointment	Date stepped down
Emily Black	02.02.2021	05.06.2025
Jessica Kenny	06.12.2022	17.07.2025
Gavin Davies	27.4.2021	7.1.2026

Register of Interests and appointment details

Register of Interests and appointment details 2025 - 2026

Governing Body Committee Membership and Terms of Reference

The Governing Body has delegated certain responsibilities to two committees - the Resources Committee and the Teaching & Learning Committee. All committee members have full voting rights.

Resources Committee	Teaching & Learning Committee
Elenor Ling (Chair)	Sara Garnham (Chair)
Ollie Monro/Jemma Calverley	Jason French (Vice Chair)
Gita Aminpour	Naomi Walker-Pearl
Rhiannon White	Liz Woodham
Dirk Sinjan	Ollie Monro/Jemma Calverley
	Laura Robitaille
	David Yates