Governance

All schools in England have a Governing Body which is responsible for overseeing many of the strategic decisions of the school.  A key role is to act as a 'critical friend' to support, challenge, ask questions and ultimately to represent the school community.  Whilst the Principal is, of course, responsible for the day to day running of the school, the Governors are involved with such things as staffing, curriculum, school buildings and finance.  It ensures the school functions well and maintains the proper range of academic and social objectives.

Governors play  a vital role in school life. They are there to support the staff to provide the very best possible education for all children. As an Academy they also directly hold the Principal to account for  providing best value for money, ensuring that the schools budget is spent fairly, equitably and in line with School Improvement priorities.  Although it is a voluntary job, it carries great responsibility and we are very lucky here at the Academy to have a strong, supportive and knowledgeable team. New Trustees/governors are appointed by the Trustees, and are invited to submit a letter of suitability for the role to the Headteacher and Chair. They also sit in on a meeting as silent observers prior to formally joining, to ascertain whether the role suits them.

Members of the Board of Directors

Councillor Jean Dunseith (Member of the Board of Directors) - "As a newly appointed Board Member, I look forward to working with colleagues to ensure the smooth and effective running of the Academy Trust.

My daughter attended the original village school and was part of the move to the new site. I remember helping in the classroom and unpacking boxes in the hall when the school moved.

During my year as Chickerell Mayor, for my Civic Day, I invited fellow Mayors to visit and we were given a tour and display of pupils dancing ability, everyone enjoyed it. I also officially opened Chickadees Pre-school.

In the past I have attended a Governors meeting and met and talked to children during the breakfast club.

The school is at the heart of the community, most families will have a connection to it and I feel privileged to be a part of it". (Appointed by Board: 09 Dec 2021 - current)

Mrs Catherine Anders (Member of the Board of Directors)  "I was previously a Parent Governor, then a

Co-opted Trustee working with the School's Governing Body. I worked at Chickerell Primary Academy for 16 years, leaving in August 2021 to work at another Local Primary school as the Deputy Headteacher, my daughters are both pupils at the school. I have a broad view of the school, having been both the Assistant Headteacher at the school and a parent, and therefore I can fully consider what is best for the school, staff, pupils and families within our local community".   (Appointed by Board: 20 Oct 2021 - current)

Councillor Elspeth Turner (Member of the Board of Directors) - "My connection with Chickerell Primary Academy goes back to the 1990's when my son was a pupil and I worked as a Teaching Assistant. I left CPA to work in the (then) Asperger's Base at what was then Budmouth College. After I retired I spent a very happy two years volunteering in a Year 5 class. By the time I retired completely I had worked with children from Reception age to Year 11.

I am a Chickerell Town Councillor and look forward to seeing the participation of the children in various youth projects which the council hope to initiate. I also coach adults to read under the “Read Easy” scheme and choose and deliver library books to the housebound. In addition I am a volunteer at Chickerell Community Library. I think books and being able to read them are the basic building blocks of a successful future for our children". (Appointed by Board: 09 Dec 2021 - current) 

Councillor John Worth (Member of the Board of Directors) - "I’m a retired electronics engineer, married and my two youngest sons attended Chickerell school. I have been a member of Chickerell town council for over twenty years and have had the privilege to serve as mayor on three occasions. In 2019 I was elected to Dorset council to represent the Chickerell ward, one of four independent councillors.

I’m chairman of the Spirit of Chickerell a charity that puts on local events and raises money to donate to local good  causes. I like to feel that community is at the heart of what I do". (Appointed by Board: 09 Dec 2021 - current)

Marcus Courtaux ( Chair of Trustees) - I have lived in Chickerell for 10 years now and have 1 child attending Chickerell Academy and another who will be shortly joining Chickadees. During the dark times of lockdown and home schooling, when all parents gained a new appreciation for the role and work load of a teacher, I found myself wanting to give back to the school as a sign of my gratitude. So when the call for volunteer governors came through I felt this would be an ideal avenue. I could be both involved in my children’s education and support the staff with their amazing work at Chickerell Primary Academy.  (Appointed by Board: 23/03/2022 - current) 

Trustees

Jody Harris (Trustee / Principal) - "As Principal of the Academy, I am on the Full Governing Body to be held to account for the standards the children achieve and how we use money for best value.  I report fully each meeting to the rest of the Governors on how the term is progressing and how the school is performing.  I have worked in over 15 different schools over the years, in a variety of capacities and roles, including advisory roles.  My love of the job means that I simply can't imagine doing anything else!"  (Appointed as a Trustee of the Company pursuant to Article 57 of the Company’s articles of association 01/01/2013-Current) 

Lis Gray (Trustee) - "I have been a Governor since 2005 and both my children attended the school. I applied to become a Governor when I saw what a brilliant educational foundation they were getting and how happy they were there and I wanted to give something back to the school and the community it serves. After being a professional actor for many years I now teach Performing Arts to students of all ages from 5 upwards. I have a wide experience in education as I work in a variety of settings including Weymouth College, Stagecoach Theatre Arts and at various schools in Dorset and Somerset. I am passionate about both the Arts and the education of all our young people. I am proud to be a member of the governing body of a school which continues to go from strength to strength through the unstinting effort of a strong and visionary senior leadership team, highly skilled and dedicated teachers and supportive parents."  (Appointed by Board: 01/01/2013 - current)

Matthew Board (Chair of School Improvement Committee) - "I have life long connections to Chickerell and my eldest son attends the school. I was impressed early on by the work the school does and the way the children are supported in their education and personal development. I volunteered to became a Parent Governor in 2020 as the children returned from lockdown, keen to support the leadership team as they navigate through an ever changing set of challenges. My background in Portfolio Management will help me support the school’s wider agenda and the work of the School Improvement Committee." (Appointed by Board 25/11/2020 - current)

Lorraine Llewellyn (Co-opted Trustee) - "I was previously elected as a Governor, and from March 2021 due to changes made to the Academies Financial handbook, I have developed my role as a Co-opted Trustee continuing to work with the School's Board of Directors. My role in school is Deputy Head Teacher, and I am also the Early Years Leader and teach part-time in one of the Reception classes.  I have a first degree in Psychology and a Post Graduate Certificate in Education.  I love my role and am fully committed to continually striving for school improvement to ensure that every child at Chickerell Primary Academy achieves their full potential.  As a Co-opted Trustee, I can provide a useful link between staff and the Board.  I can also bring my professional knowledge of the Academy's strengths and weaknesses."  (Appointed by Board: 01/03/2021 - current)

Susan Seal (Trustee) - "Even though I have only lived in Chickerell for 6 and a half years I have always been passionate about education and books, after all books are an education in themselves. I even had my own 'library' as a child.

My first venture into education, after my own, was after my sons had started school and I volunteered to listen to the children read at Southill School. I did this for a few years before moving on to become a Teaching Assistant at Budmouth Technology College as it was then known. I was there for 8 years before moving into administration and customer service. I currently work in the Funeral industry.

I now have grandchildren, one of whom is at Chickerell Primary Academy and another who attends Chickadees and will be moving up to the academy in September.

I have supported the school in one way or another since 2016 and have attended summer fairs etc. I got a good feel for the school along with its aims and ambitions and decided that I would like to be involved with the school to help keep it great and put my various strengths to good use by becoming a trustee. (Appointed by Board: 23/03/2022 - current)   

Simon Newport ( Vice-Chair of Trustees) - "I am a parent of two children, one of whom is at the school, one of which is due to start. My wife is also in the education sector. As a transport manager for a county wide travel company, I therefore have a vested interest in understanding and contributing to the school and our local community.  (Appointed by Board 18/05/2018 - current)

(Co-Opted Trustees - In line with the requirements of the Academies Financial Handbook which came into force on 1 March 2021, Mrs Llewellyn resigned as a Member of the Board effective from 28 February 2021 and now acts as Co-opted Trustee).

Governance Professional - Julia Childs

Duty Governor for April - Marcus Courtaux

General information

• Duty Governor of the Month - During this month it is expected that the Duty Governor attends as many school events and Senior Leadership Team meetings as possible.  
• Hard copies of the minutes of previous meetings are available in the School Office.

Membership of Committees

The Trustees - Full Governing Body - Marcus Courtaux (Chair); Jody Harris;  Lis Gray; Matthew Board; Lorraine Llewellyn; Susan Seal; Simon Newport.

Finance and Human Resources Committee - Marcus Courtaux (Chair); Jody Harris;  Simon Newport; Lorraine Llewellyn; Susan Seal.

Audit and Risk Committee - Marcus Courtaux (Chair); Jody Harris;  Simon Newport, Lorraine Llewellyn, Susan Seal.

School Improvement Committee - Lorraine Llewellyn (Chair); Lis Gray; Matthew Board;  Marcus Courtaux

Attendance at meetings

Academic Year 2022 - 2023:

    *Governor left part way through year