Governance (non-executives)

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The Palladian non-executive

We are proud to work with a motivated and skilled non-executive of over 100 volunteers to ensure our Trust is well-governed and focused on the key priorities that will make a difference for our children. The non-executive are supported by an experienced team of governance professionals to support them in their role and in evidencing the difference they make.

Trust Members

The Members are the guardians of the governance of the Trust. They appoint the majority of Trustees and receive the annual accounts and other assurances that the governance of the Trust is effective.

Ruth Balch (ex-officio as Chair of Trustees)

Andrea Arlidge

Russell Franks

Suzanne McDonald, Corporate Member for Diocese of Bath and Wells

Fergus Stewart, Corporate Member for Diocese of Salisbury

Board of Trustees

The board of trustees manages the business of the academy trust. They act as Directors in terms of Company Law, Trustees in terms of Charity Law and Governors in terms of Education Legislation. As a mixed MAT, the Trust Board lead on the responsibilities to maintain the Christian Distinctiveness of our church schools in line with the SIAMs framework and to preserve the non-religious nature of our community schools.

The work of the Board is focused is on the three core functions of governance:

ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;
holding executive leaders to account for the educational performance of the organisation and its pupils, and the performance management of staff;
overseeing the financial performance of the organisation and making sure its money is well spent.

Ruth Balch, Chair of Trustees
Donna Tandy, Chief Executive Officer
Tom Battersby
Richard Bullard
Rosanna Raimato
Irene Garcia Sacedon
Chris Mason, Vice-Chair of Trustees
Mike Robbins
Sarah Wilton-Rhead
David Newman
Mark West

Biographies of our Trustees can be viewed:

Trustee bios Feb 2023 - New.docx

Trust-Wide Committees

These sub-committees of the Trust Board scrutinise in greater detail key areas of the organisation: Finance and Resources, Audit and Risk and Quality of Education, and hold the Central Team executive to account for actions taken to ensure the smooth running of the organisation and that the support given to school is effective.

The full detail of our non-exec membership and the scheme of delegation can be found in the governance section on the Key information Page. A diagram of the structure can be seen in the image below.

Local Governance Committees (LGCs)

Local Governance Committees (LGCs) are in effect sub-committees of the Trust Board and have delegated responsibilities to ensure and assure that actions taken by the school means that safeguarding is effective, a well-delivered, inclusive, broad and balanced curriculum is leading to the best possible outcomes for all children and that the school is engaged with its wider community and the views of stakeholders are taken into account.

Chairs of Governors:

Sally Divall and Chris Mason, Ralph Allen School
Alex Barnett, The Oldfield Park Schools
Justin O'Byrne, Widcombe Infant School
Richard Cross and Ruth Balch, St Martin’s Garden Primary School
Darren McKay, Widcombe CofE Junior School
Steve Hooper-Smith, Combe Down CofE Primary School
Jane West, Winsley CofE Primary School
Adrian Taylor-Weekes, St Philip’s CofE Primary School
Bryony Green, Fitzmaurice Primary School and Westwood with Iford Primary School