Governance

The TSAT Governance Model

The Thinking Schools Academy Trust governance model is different from that of a traditional maintained school. 

Governance within the trust operates through a clear layered structure, combining strong local oversight with trust-wide strategic accountability.

Local governance is delivered through the Academy Governing Body (AGB), with overall responsibility held by the Trust Board of Directors.

This ensures that each school benefits from dedicated local governors who understand the community, alongside consistent trust-wide leadership and assurance.

For information on the role of the Board of Directors, Members and Board minutes, please follow the link here: www.tsatrust.org.uk/about/governance/

Academy Governing Body (AGB)

Each academy (or small cluster of academies) has an Academy Governing Body.

AGBs typically consist of between 8 and 11 governors in addition to the Headteacher, made up of:

  • Parent representatives
  • Staff representatives
  • Trust-appointed governors
  • Community governors

Governors are appointed or elected based on the skills and experience required to support effective governance. Governors usually serve a term of four years and AGBs meet a minimum of six times per year.

The role of the Academy Governing Board

The key responsibilities of the Academy Governing Board are to:

  • Hold academy leadership to account for educational performance, quality of care and provision
  • Ensure the Trust’s vision, policies and strategic priorities are delivered within the academy
  • Monitor the effectiveness of local strategies and progress against the School Improvement Plan
  • Represent and consider stakeholder voices in strategic decision-making
  • Contribute to the performance management of the Headteacher, including the involvement of the AGB Chair in annual professional growth reviews.

 

The AGB Members for Cedar Children’s Academy are:

Name

Link role

Start of Term

Length of Term

Appointed by

Business    Interest

End of Term

 

Chair

 

     

Tracey Baillie

Headteacher

N/A

N/A

Board of Directors

  

Stephanie Taylor

Staff Member

STEM Digital and Careers

1st September 2024

4 Years

Board of Directors

  

Gemma Weaver

Staff Member

Safeguarding and Attendance

1st September 2024

4 Years

Board of Directors

  

Reg Armstrong

Community Member

Pupil Premium

1st September 2024

4 Years

Board of Directors

  

Charlotte Hurton

 

Community Member

 

1st February 20264 Years

Board of Directors

  

Elizabeth Alexander

Parent Member

SEND & Equality

1st September 2024

4 Years

Board of Directors

  

Louise Williams

Parent Member

Pupil & Parental engagement, marketing and comms

1st September 2024

4 Years

Board of Directors

  

Jasmin Chudasama

Trust Member

Recruitment, Diversity, Workload and Wellbeing

1st September 2024

4 Years

Board of Directors

  

Doug Stewart

Trust Member

Risk and Compliance

1st September 2024

4 Years 

Board of Directors

  

 

To explore Governor vacancies available within the Thinking Schools Academy Trust, please visit our recruitment website or email governance@tsatrust.org.uk.

 

Governing board meetings attendance during academic year 2024/25  

Name

Meetings Attended

Out of a Possible

Tracey Baillie

 3

 6

Stephanie Taylor

 3

 6

Gemma Weaver

 4

 6

Reg Armstrong

 2

 6

Elizabeth Alexander

 4

 6

Louise Williams 

 4

 6

Jasmin Chudasama

 3

 6

Doug Stewart 

 4

 6