Local Governing Body
Our Local Governing Body structure allows us to have up to four Trust-appointed governors, up to three co-opted governors, two parent governors, two staff governors and the Headteacher. The role of the Local Governing Body is an important one. Governors hold the school to account and meet each half term. The governors have a wide range of responsibilities including:
- Implementing and reviewing the strategic plan for the academy
- Acting as a critical friend to the leadership team, being ready to challenge and hold senior leaders to account
- Overseeing the management of the finances of the academy
- Supporting the Headteacher in the development and review of an appropriate staff structure
- Oversight of policies and major decisions concerning the general direction of the academy
- Visiting the school regularly to monitor, audit and get to know the school community. Some governors have responsibility for a specific area such as safeguarding, special educational needs or a school subject.
Our Local Governing Board Members are:
- Yateen Bhoola – Deputy Director of Education for REAch2 Cluster 3
- Andrew How – Head Teacher of Lower Farm Academy
- Eleanor Baker – Teacher of Lower Farm Academy (Teaching Governor)
- Lewis Coulter– Teaching Assistant of Lower Farm Academy (Non-Teaching Governor)
- Lindsay Martin – Acting Chair with responsibility for Safeguarding
My Name is Lindsay Martin and I am a Trust appointed Governor with responsibility for Safeguarding. I currently work for Warwickshire County Council as a Lead Practitioner in the Practice and Learning Hub delivering training and development to all children and Families services. Having completed my MA in Early Years and Education in 2010 my career has led to a variety of experiences to bring to Lower Farm Academy, I hope to bring all of this experience to support and work with Lower Farm Academy in achieving the best outcomes for the children- Stacey Dale – Trust Appointed Governor and Acting Vice Chair with responsibility for Teaching and Learning
- My name is Stacey Dale and it is my privilege to be a governor for Lower Farm Academy. I am a trust appointed governor and I was previously the Deputy Head Teacher at Lower Farm Academy. My time at the school was instrumental in my own career development and I am now a Head Teacher at a school in Leicestershire where I am continually developing my understanding and practices in relation to best practise within education. I have been a teacher for nine years and have experience across all primary key stages, particularly Early Years, and I have been a SENDco. . Having been a part of the foundations of Lower Farm Academy I am passionate about continuing to support its growth and development moving forward.
- Suzannah Harris – Trust Appointed Governor with responsibility for Education
- I joined the Governing body of Lower Farm in 2020 and am delighted to have been part of the school’s journey as it continues to grow. Professionally, I am a Solicitor and live locally in Weddington. I am passionate about ensuring that every child is able to achieve their potential and believe that every child is entitled to the very best in terms of curriculum and opportunity. I am keen to ensure a culture of openness and constant improvement and with my fellow governors, I look forward to supporting the head, Mr How and his committed team to ensuring an environment where every child can grow and develop.
- Sam Cooper – Co-Opted Governor with responsibility for Finance
- I joined the governing board with responsibility for finance. I am a Certified Accountant with over 12 years experience and now work at the Midcounties Co-Operative as Group Finance and Tax Manager. I have a vested interest in our school with a daughter already in attendance and one who will be joining in the near future and look forward to making Lower Farm Academy a great for them and all other children to prosper. Please say hello if you see me around school.
- Chelsea Bennett – Co-Opted Governor with responsibility for Inclusion & SEND
- My name is Chelsea Bennett and I am a Co-opted governor with responsibility for SEND and Inclusion. My professional background is based around HR/Training, but as a SEND parent, I am really passionate about special educational needs, and the support offered to students in school. I am very proud of the SEND provision at Lower Farm and have enjoyed being part of this journey so far. My aim is to continue working closely with our school to ensure the best outcomes for all SEND children.
- Samantha Oliver – Parent Governor with responsibility for Sustainability
- Although I work within the private sector, with experience in Accounting and Project Management, I was a volunteer for 3 years with Solutions for the Planet. With S4TP I worked with schools to encourage KS3 children to not only consider environmental and sustainable problem solving, but to also develop skills in business and financial planning, as well as public speaking. My aim is to support our school by sharing these experiences and engage our children to find solutions to sustainability issues in an exciting way, allowing their carefree and innovative creativity to help shape a more sustainable future for the school and local community.
Debbie Worth – Co-Opted Governor with responsibility for Pupil Welfare- I have 13 years experience of working as a Counsellor in a Senior School, the past 10 years in a well-regarded, oversubscribed school in the local area. I have a vested interest in Lower Farm Academy as I live in the local community, have watched the school develop from foundations to the building we have today and my Grandson now also attends. I am looking forward to supporting and working with Lower Farm Academy in achieving the best outcomes for the young people both emotionally and academically.
REAch2 Trustees and the Cluster Board
For information about the REAch2 Trustees and the Cluster Boards, please click here to go to the governance page of the REAch2 website. This includes details of how the Trust is organised, who the Trustees and the Cluster Board members are, the Articles of Association, the Master Funding Agreement and the Register of Interest for the Trustees and Accounting Officer.
Declarations-LowerFarmAcademy 2022-2023
To contact the Chair of Governors, Hannah Usher, please do so by emailing [email protected]
We are currently recruiting for 1 Co’ Opted Governor & 1 Parent Governor. If you would like to know more about what’s involved in being a Governor, please click on the Governor job description & person specification below or visit the REAch2 Governance website:
Governance Recruitment Brochure – Lower Farm