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Governance

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 Executive Headteacher 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.
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.

Emily Black - Co-opted Governor - Chair of Resources Committee

I became a governor in March 2017, shortly after moving to the Trumpington area. As a mother of two young children, I found the importance of high quality early years and primary education to be top of mind, and wanted to contribute. After over a decade in strategy consulting, I'm keen to use my analytical, business skill set to support the Trumpington Federation. 
Sara Garnham - Co-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.

Saussan Khalil - Co-Chair of Teaching & Learning Committee

Saussan is a Senior Arabic Language Teacher at Cambridge University, and the founder and director of Kalamna, a social enterprise providing Arabic language classes and resources for children and adults in Cambridge, Newcastle and online.

Saussan joined the Federation’s governing body in 2020 and has two children attending Trumpington Meadows school. She is a member of the Teaching and Learning sub-committee.

I am excited to be working as part of a fantastic team of experienced governors to provide strategic management for the Federation and support staff in delivering an excellent education to children.

Sara Day - Staff Governor
Sara moved to Cambridge from London in 2016 where she completed her PGCE at Homerton College, Cambridge. Her first teaching post was at The Trumpington Federation where she has had the opportunity to teach at both Trumpington Meadows and Fawcett Primary Schools. Prior to qualifying as a teacher, Sara worked as a management consultant at Deloitte and PwC for 17 years. Sara is passionate about the difference that primary education can make in the lives of children.
Neal Carter - Co-opted Governor
In my day job I’m a Chartered Engineer and senior leader in a civil engineering organisation, delivering major infrastructure schemes of national importance. My primary skills are in leadership (specifically transformation and change), project management and performance. 

I’m professionally qualified as a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers, and a member of both the Institute of Directors and Association of Project Management. I’m very interested in the development of those I work with, providing mentoring and coaching to a range of junior and senior colleagues to encourage their personal and professional development.

I live in Trumpington and have two young sons at the start of their education journey. I’m keen to ensure I support the wider community to make the performance of our schools better and therefore improve the outcomes for all.

 

Jessica Kenny - Partnership Governor

I am a local homeowner and have experience in various community groups. Additionally, my professional background is as an accountant in NHS regulation, so I am very familiar with the role of a governor and how we can help the schools to provide the best possible education and experience for families.

 

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.

 

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.
Oriana Dalton - 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
Tom Baglin 3.3.21 7.2.23
Amanda Hawkes 6.12.22 3.3.23

 

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
Emily Black (Chair) Saussan Khalil (Co-Chair)
Jessica Kenny Sara Garnham (Co-Chair)
Ori Dalton Liz Woodham
Gavin Davies Ori Dalton
Neal Carter (Vice Chair) Sara Day
Elenor Ling Gavin Davies

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Governance Documents 

 

Meeting Attendance 2023 - 2024

P - present

A - absent with apologies

F - absent but failed to give apologies

n/a - not a member of the Governing Body at that time

Full Governing Body

  19.9 5.12 13.2 26.3 30.4 9.7

Liz Woodham

P P        
Gavin Davies P P        
Ori Dalton A P        
Emily Black P P        
Sara Garnham P P        
Saussan Khalil P P        
Neal Carter P P        
Sara Day P P        
Jessica Kenny A P        
Elenor Ling P P        

 

Resources Committee

  18.10 22.11 31.1 13.3 24.4 12.6
Emily Black P P        
Ori Dalton P P        
Gavin Davies P P        
Neal Carter A A        
Jessica Kenny P P        
Elenor Ling P P        

Teaching & Learning Committee

  4.10 8.11 17.1 6.3 15.5 26.6
Sara Garnham P P        
Saussan Khalil A P        
Ori Dalton P P        
Liz Woodham P P        
Gavin Davies P P        
Sara Day P A        

 

 

 

 

Annual Governance Statement