The Local Governing Body (LGB) is a representative group consisting of members of the community including staff, parents and co-opted governors who all bring specific skills that benefit our schools and our children.

Our Local Governing body is made up of the following members:

Julian Bennett

Paul Booth (Chair)

Janine Cook(Head of School)

Donna Ford (Parent)

Kyla Manenti

We are eager to recruit more Local Governors so if you are interested please speak with Janine Cook (Head of School) or contact Ian Thomas (CEO) for more information. 

In order to provide further challenge and support and, importantly, to maintain the local distinctiveness of each of our schools, the Board of Trustees delegates a range of responsibilities to Local Governing Bodies (LGB).

Each LGB meets at least once a term where issues of school improvement and targets for future developments are discussed.  Specific responsibilities for the LGB's are outlined in the TEAM Multi-Academy Trust's Scheme of Delegation.  During meetings, local Heads of School are present at their Local Governing Body meetings and provide a range of information for the governors to discuss and question.  Local Heads also report back to the MAT Chief Executive Officer regarding any matters arising from their meetings.

The Local Governing Body ensures school leadership is held to account and supported. They provide quality assurance against the school improvement plan and play a critical role in co-creating the vision of excellent education here at the school. 

Responsibilities include:

• Holding the Head Teacher to account for the performance of the school.
• Supporting the strategic development of the school.
• Monitoring the school’s performance against the School Improvement Plan.

The role of governors and trustees

This animated film explains the crucial role school governors and trustees play in children and young people’s education. 

 

wHY I BECAME A GOVERNOR

I’ve been a governor at Pilton Infants since November 2019, and Chair since 2024.  Becoming a parent governor felt like a meaningful way to give something back and help ensure that school is a place where children feel supported, challenged, and inspired. My own children have moved on now that they are older, but I care deeply about education, community, and fairness, and I am committed to helping the school continue to grow and improve into the future.

Being a school governor is a great opportunity to give back to the community and make a positive impact. As Chair of the Local Governing Body (LGB) I work with a great team of governors to support and challenge the school at a strategic level, helping to shape its vision, values, and long-term direction, and ensuring the welfare of students and staff alike. My skills and knowledge from my day job in the NHS enable me to provide valuable insights from outside of education.

I find being a school governor really rewarding - and I was especially proud in June last year when Ofsted finally came to inspect after more than 14 years, and they were so positive about the school and recognised the hard work of all the leaders, governors, staff and pupils.

Kate - LGB Chair, Pilton Infants' Academy

“I became a Governor because I wanted to be involved in the school community and know more about the workings of the school my children attend. I hoped that I would be able to help and support the Governance team and school staff with both a parental and professional perspective (because I teach and lead education elsewhere). In taking on the position I have been able to develop my own CPD, recruit more members, observe the school in action, and report on aspects of monitoring and feedback when new policies have been introduced. I now lead the team as Chair of Governors, and it is incredibly rewarding to work together with a shared school ethos, especially within a Multi-Academy Trust with a well structured and organised team of Trustees and Leadership that drive the focus of our meetings. To know we are all working together for the good of the children and all of the staff is an excellent opportunity to ‘give something back’ that I would recommend to anyone who can make the time to help.”

Caroline - LGB Member, Pilton Bluecoat Academy

"I was a Local Governor at High Bickington Primary school, when the school joined TEAM Academy Trust I became a Trustee. Being a trustee is a bit like running a company, we don’t make individual decisions, but we ask questions to make sure that TEAM schools have the staff, resources and facilities that they need to give our children the best education. 

All the trustees have different backgrounds and skills, so we work together to support the leadership team but also scrutinise their performance. It is interesting to find out about all the different things that happen in a school, and it is rewarding to feel able to help the staff with some of their important decisions."

Susie - Trustee, TEAM Academy Trust

I became a school governor because I have a deep passion for education and a strong desire to make a meaningful difference in the lives of young people. Working in education for nearly 20 years, I have witnessed the power that a positive and supportive educational environment can have on students, shaping their futures and building their confidence. I believe that every child, regardless of background or circumstance, deserves access to high-quality education that enables them to thrive

In short, I became a school governor because I want to be part of the solution, helping to shape an education system that is not just reactive but proactive in preparing our young people for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

Bryony - LGB Member, Pilton Infants' Academy