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 Co-Chairs are Liz Woodham and Gavin Davies 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 used to be a primary teacher in north London and now work for NRICH, a mathematics education project based here in the university, so one of the reasons for wanting to be a governor is my desire to see fantastic teaching and learning of maths. However, I am also passionate about primary education being a broad and rich experience for young children. I loved school as a child, and in a very small way, would like to help children in Trumpington enjoy their primary school years too.

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 used to be a primary teacher in north London and now work for NRICH, a mathematics education project based here in the university, so one of the reasons for wanting to be a governor is my desire to see fantastic teaching and learning of maths. However, I am also passionate about primary education being a broad and rich experience for young children. I loved school as a child, and in a very small way, would like to help children in Trumpington enjoy their primary school years too.

Gavin Davies - Co-opted Governor - Co-chair of Governing Body
Gavin Davies joined the governing body of the Trumpington Federation as a co-opted governor in April 2021 and became co-chair in September 2021. Previously, Gavin was chair of governors at a primary school in Camden, London. Gavin is an engineer and mathematician who worked in the construction industry for over 25 years. In 2022, Gavin took the role as Course Director for a part time Masters programme in the Department of Engineering at the University of Cambridge. Gavin passionately believes in the important of education in creating opportunities and choice for young people, whatever their background.

Gavin Davies - Co-opted Governor - Co-chair of Governing Body

Gavin Davies joined the governing body of the Trumpington Federation as a co-opted governor in April 2021 and became co-chair in September 2021. Previously, Gavin was chair of governors at a primary school in Camden, London.

Gavin is an engineer and mathematician who worked in the construction industry for over 25 years. In 2022, Gavin took the role as Course Director for a part time Masters programme in the Department of Engineering at the University of Cambridge. Gavin passionately believes in the important of education in creating opportunities and choice for young people, whatever their background.

Sara Garnham - Partnership Governor - Chair of Teaching & Learning committee
Sara has lived in Cambridge for over 30 years. She worked locally, nationally and internationally; most recently as general manager for an exciting ed-tech start up. Sara has recently stepped down as MAT board director of CAP in Cambridge, and currently holds board position for Catalyst Housing and New International Encounter who are based at Cambridge Junction.

Sara Garnham - Partnership Governor - Chair of Teaching & Learning committee

Sara has lived in Cambridge for over 30 years. She worked locally, nationally and internationally; most recently as general manager for an exciting ed-tech start up.

Sara has recently stepped down as MAT board director of CAP in Cambridge, and currently holds board position for Catalyst Housing and New International Encounter who are based at Cambridge Junction.

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 as an Operations Coordinator in the Bennett School of Public Policy at the University of Cambridge. The role is a responsible one, and includes dealing with internal recruitment questions at the direction of my line manager, assisting the Communications Coordinator, organising events, and other duties. My work with the University of Cambridge began in 2019, and I have worked in responsible roles in many departments and offices, including in Clinical Neurosciences and Stem Cells in the position of HR Coordinator. Prior to this, I worked as an Underwriter for a major insurance company, and then for two multi-national Lloyd’s of London insurance brokerage firms in the City of London. My husband and I worked at the Bahá’í World Centre for a number of years in highly responsible roles. I studied Business at the London Metropolitan University (previously North London Polytechnic), and hold an additional qualification in insurance. Additionally, I serve as a Safeguarding, RE/PSHE Governor at the Trumpington Community College; as a member of the Patient Advisory Group for the upcoming Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital; a member of the CUH Inpatient Partnership Group; Vice-Chair of the Patient Participation Group Committee for a surgery with more than 22,000 patients and as a member of the Cambridgeshire SACRE. My family and I live in Trumpington.

Gita Aminpour - Co-opted Governor

I work as an Operations Coordinator in the Bennett School of Public Policy at the University of Cambridge. The role is a responsible one, and includes dealing with internal recruitment questions at the direction of my line manager, assisting the Communications Coordinator, organising events, and other duties.

My work with the University of Cambridge began in 2019, and I have worked in responsible roles in many departments and offices, including in Clinical Neurosciences and Stem Cells in the position of HR Coordinator.

Prior to this, I worked as an Underwriter for a major insurance company, and then for two multi-national Lloyd’s of London insurance brokerage firms in the City of London. My husband and I worked at the Bahá’í World Centre for a number of years in highly responsible roles.

I studied Business at the London Metropolitan University (previously North London Polytechnic), and hold an additional qualification in insurance.

Additionally, I serve as a Safeguarding, RE/PSHE Governor at the Trumpington Community College; as a member of the Patient Advisory Group for the upcoming Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital; a member of the CUH Inpatient Partnership Group; Vice-Chair of the Patient Participation Group Committee for a surgery with more than 22,000 patients and as a member of the Cambridgeshire SACRE.

My family and I live in Trumpington.

Elenor Ling - Parent Governor
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

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.

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.

Naomi Walker-Pearl - Parent Governor
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.

Naomi Walker-Pearl - Parent Governor

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.

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
Sara Day	03.02.2021	02.02.2025
Emily Black	02.02.2021	05.06.2025
Jessica Kenny	06.12.2022	17.07.2025

Register of Interests

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	Naomi Walker-Pearl
Gavin Davies	Liz Woodham
Gita Aminpour	Ollie Monro/Jemma Calverley
	Laura Robitaille
	Gavin Davies
	Jason French

Teaching & Learning Committee terms of reference

Resources Committee terms of reference

Governance Documents

Standing Orders

CODE OF Conduct

Instrument of Government

ANNUAL GOVERNANCE STATEMENT 23-24

Meeting attendance 2025 - 2026

Please contact the clerk for prior years' attendance information.