Lambourn’s Governors sit on an Academy Committee (AC), whose purpose is to support and advise the Principal and Excalibur Academies Trust’s Board of Trustees in delivering effective welfare, behaviour and extra-curricular provision. In every aspect of its work, ACs look through the lens of the child, asking: “What is it like to attend this school?”, whilst being mindful to avoid adding to the Principal’s workload.
ACs help shape a school’s vision, build links with local community, provide specialist volunteer skills/knowledge and give vital input to statutory processes (for example complaints, exclusions and recruitment).
The responsibility of monitoring and improving educational outcomes lies with the Trust’s professional Academy Improvement Team.
Responsibilities
To fulfil these functions, the Academy Committee has the following responsibilities:
Þ Culture, vision and ethos
Þ Personal development and staff and pupil welfare
Þ Behaviour and Attendance
Þ Extra-Curricular provision
Þ Safeguarding
Þ Engagement and promotion within local community
Þ Staffing, behaviour and complaints panels
Þ Senior management recruitment/performance management
Governor Roles
The Academy Committee must appoint Governors to the following roles: Health & Safety Governor, Safeguarding Governor & SEND Governor. Depending on the school’s size, additional roles should also be assigned; examples include Education Performance Governor, Pupil Premium & Inclusion Governor, Finance Governor and SIAMS Governor (CofE schools).
Safeguarding & Training
Excalibur maintains a strong safeguarding culture and ethos, with all Governors applying for an enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check, in addition to undertaking mandatory safeguarding and cyber-security training. It is the responsibility of the nominated Safeguarding Governor to ensure this is adhered to and the Trust monitors compliance. Supplementary training to support Governors in their role is also available.
All Governors and Trustees must agree to be bound by the Excalibur Academies Trust Code of Conduct, with annual compulsory recommitment and declaration of business interests.
More information
Further information about the Excalibur’s Academy Committees can be found by visiting: https://www.excalibur.org.uk/governance/join-us/ or contacting the Trust’s Head of Governance Cathryn Poole: [email protected]
Meet the Governors
Ruth Honey, Chair of Governors, Foundation Governor
I have been a governor at Lambourn school since 2012 and seen many changes at the school including being involved in its transition to an academy. I have been Chair since October 2018. I am a foundation governor which means I have a special responsibility for ensuring the Christian distinctiveness of the school. I am involved in a number of activities at St Michael and All Angels.
I have lived in Lambourn for about 14 years and run a family stud farm next to the school. We breed, train and compete event horses.
I have a history degree from Oxford and a MBA from Rochester University, New York. My employment background culminated in being legal director and senior corporate lawyer for a multinational company selling consumer goods and pharmaceuticals. This meant I was involved in strategic decision making across many parts of the business as well as strictly legal matters. I also had the opportunity to live and work abroad in Europe and the USA.
I have 3 grown up children. All my children have had to overcome the challenge of dyslexia in varying degrees so I have witnessed various strategies for this at close quarters. I have seen education in action in a number of different locations and systems. One of my children received their entire primary education in Montessori schools.
I am passionate about children learning to love to learn and that Lambourn should be a place that unlocks each child’s full potential and gives them wings.
If you would like to contact Mrs Honey please email her on [email protected]
Ross Pengilly – Parent Governor
In my professional career I work as a UK Strategic Account Manager in the Car Rental Industry.
My current role, as a national strategic account manager, has given me the experience required to influence and make important strategic decisions so I was excited to be given the opportunity to help set the school’s vision, ethos and strategic direction. Prior to this I was a manager for six years in which time I developed very strong operational and development skills which I will use to benefit the school, especially in my Health and Safety role as a governor.
I am involved in the local community as well as local clubs, such as Hungerford Rugby club. My family will be attending the school for well over the next ten years, I therefore have a strong interest in helping to improve the performance of the school.
Alison Webster – Community Governor
I have lived locally in Upper Lambourn for the past 15 years and have been in the teaching profession for almost 30 years. I have taught across the primary range prior to my current role and am currently in my second headship at Thatcham Park CofE Primary School.
I am passionate about all schools providing the best possible provision for all, developing the ‘whole child’, and welcome the opportunity to be part of the strategic governance of my local school to help contribute to ensuring all young people are ready and prepared for the next stage in their education whilst fulfilling their extraordinary potential.
In between the demands of working, I enjoy time as a family, enjoying the outdoors, holidays and have also been known to ‘dabble’ in up-cycling!
Working in and around schools all of my life, I have an interest in school governance and have joined the Lambourn Local Academy Committee to see what I may bring to the team from my skills and experiences.
Nick Burton – Community Governor
I have lived in Lambourn since 2010 and have two children attending Lambourn School. I grew up in a small town in rural mid Wales and have a degree in Chemistry from the University of York.
I have worked for a speciality chemical company since 2005, holding several roles across technical and commercial areas.
Outside work I try to keep active, regularly running, playing football and also playing cricket at Hungerford Cricket Club, where I support the junior section.
Lambourn School is a real asset to the community and I hope that I can play a part in its continued progression.
