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Totternhoe C.E. Academy

Growing together in knowledge love and faith

Governance

Welcome to our Governance page

Totternhoe CE Academy joined the Diocese of St Albans Multi Academy Trust (DSAMAT) on 1st February 2018.  DSAMAT was founded by the Diocese of St Albans and is a Trust working with schools across Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire.  The DSAMAT community has a strong commitment to a shared mission:

Enabling all to flourish: Rooted in God’s Love

This is underpinned by our shared values:

Hope, nurture, collaboration, equality, respect

 

Our Trust is governed by a range of bodies.

Members have strategic oversight for the work of the Trust, including representatives from the Diocesan Board of Finance and Diocesan Board of Education and reflect the range of skills required to oversee an Academy Trust. 

Directors of the Trust are appointed by the Members and are responsible for the day-to-day running of the Trust.  The academies are accountable to the Directors who make strategic decisions impacting them.

 

Local Governing Boards 

Individual academies are governed at a local level by their own Local Governing Board (LGB).  LGBs have the same level of delegated responsibility from the Directors which is outlined within the Governance Framework and financial delegation.  For more information about our local governing board members please see below.

 

For more information about the Trust, including  Articles of Association, Names of the Trustees and members, the funding agreement and our shared policies, procedures and contact information, please visit:  https://stalbansdmat.co.uk/

 The Annual reports and accounts can be found here: Key Documents - Diocese of St Albans Multi-Academy Trust | Diocese of St Albans Multi-Academy Trust (stalbansdmat.co.uk)

The Annual audited accounts can be found here: Key Documents - Diocese of St Albans Multi-Academy Trust | Diocese of St Albans Multi-Academy Trust (stalbansdmat.co.uk)

The Memorandum of association can be found here: Governance - Diocese of St Albans Multi-Academy Trust | Diocese of St Albans Multi-Academy Trust (stalbansdmat.co.uk)

 

I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full

John 10:10

The DSAMAT contact details are:

Diocese of St Albans

Manshead CE Academy

Dunstable Road

Caddington

LU1 4BB

 

Tel: 01525 840183

Email: admin@stalbansdmat.co.uk or 

Data Protection Officer on DPO@stalbansdmat.co.uk

https://stalbansdmat.co.uk

Company Registration Number: 10449374

Registered Office: Manshead CE Academy, Dunstable Road, Caddington, LU1 4BB

 

If you would like a hard copy of any of the information listed, please contact the school office. Please allow  3 working days to get this organised for you. 

 

Governance Structure Autumn 2024

Local Governing Board

Our LGB is made up of local stakeholders who represent the different parts of our Academy’s community, with the objective of providing Totternhoe CE Academy with sound governance within the overarching governance structure of the Diocese of St Alban’s Multi Academy Trust (DSAMAT).  Our primary objective is to ensure the best outcomes for the Academy’s children and young people.
 
The LGB consists of a minimum of 6 and a maximum of ten members (not including the HT) and should include members from the following;

 

  • 1 x Parish Priest 

  • 1 x appointed staff members

  • 2 x appointed parent members (elected)

  • Head Teacher

  • 3 x community members. These members should be appointed, not elected and would need to undertake a skills audit.


If you are interested in being a part of the LGB please speak to Miss Needham. 
As part of the DSAMAT, Totternhoe CE Academy operates under an agreed Governance Scheme of Delegation.  The Governance Scheme of Delegation provides for certain functions to be carried out by one or more of the following;

 

  • The Members

  • The Trust Board

  • The CEO

  • LGB

  • Head teacher

 

For more info about  the role of each level of governorship and responsibility see link: http://stalbansdmat.co.uk/governance/

For Articles of Association please see the DSAMAT website.

What does the LGB do?

Our LGB work with the DSAMAT’s central team and has a significant amount of delegated responsibility including the following; 

 

  • Agreeing Academy’s vision and strategy​
  • Set and monitor local and centralised policies
  • Management of risk
  • Monitor progress on key priorities on the Development plan
  • Audit and reporting on matters of compliance e.g. website
  • Learning walks in the academy to monitor ethos
  • Hold discussion with pupils and staff to gain insights into the workings of the academy

 

Our LGB meets four times a year and three additional meetings which focus specifically on Curriculum & Standards and Finance, Health & Safety and Personnel.  Site walk rounds and termly monitoring visits are also carried out to observe and report against the Academy’s progress in agreed priority areas.
 
To contact the LGB, please contact the Academy directly and mark your correspondence to the attention of the Chair of Governors. 
Note: For the day to day running and management of the Totternhoe CE Academy, the first points of contact are the admin team, class teacher and Head and Assistant Headteacher.

 

 

LGB Membership 2024 - 2025

Who are we?

 

Mrs D Mitchelmore - Chair & Safeguarding Governor 

I was previously the deputy headteacher and Designated Safeguarding Lead at Totternhoe CE Academy and have taught in all year groups during my time here. I was very proud to be able to take our first cohort of Year 6 through to their completion of primary education. I was also pleased to have the opportunity to train as a Forest School Leader and to establish Forest School at Totternhoe, making regular use of our wonderful outdoor spaces and Wonderwood area, offering children opportunities to develop emotionally, socially, physically and mentally.

My background is in science, and I previously worked as a biomedical scientist for 10 years before my three children came along! All are now well grown-up, and I am enjoying spending more time with my family and friends. I have a long involvement in a local church, working with children and young people and overseeing safeguarding, amongst a number of other roles.

I am committed to using my experiences in education and safeguarding to support the local governing board in fulfilling its roles and to working as part of a team to make Totternhoe CE Academy a place where all - staff and pupils - can flourish.

 

Parish Priest Totternhoe Rev. Kaushal David

I am the Vicar at Totternhoe, Stanbridge and Tilsworth and commenced this role in July 2017.  I carried out my training in London and my Curacy in Nantwich.  Prior to this, my background was in youth work and I am passionate about helping young people to develop their own unique potential.

 

Trust Governor  - Dr F Gagliardi

 

I truly believe in the transformative power of education. Over nearly twenty years of work in higher education, I have witnessed the struggle of students who lacked a solid foundation of early years and primary education and care. I have also witnessed what hard work, commitment and vision can do to increase opportunities for all students and transform lives. I bring my experience and commitment as educator to the TCEA Local Governing Board to support all pupils in accessing the outstanding educational experience they deserve, so they can reach their full potential and grow into happy, healthy adults. 

 

Miss G Needham - Head Teacher

I was lucky enough to be appointed Headteacher at Totternhoe,  in March 2023. I was once told that the school is never yours, just that you become the custodian for a short time in its history, the aim being to leave it in a better place than when you found it.  I have worked in education and schools for over 20 years and have experienced most roles within a school.  Being the headteacher of such a wonderful school, with an amazingly dedicated team is an honour.

 

Miss L Jesson - Staff Representative

I am extremely proud to be the Deputy Head at Totternhoe. When I first came to Totternhoe on a student placement, I knew that Totternhoe was special. I am excited to be even more involved with the governors and wider school community to ensure that Totternhoe and all our pupils continue to thrive.

 

Mr T Neill - Parent Representative

I have recently started in this role and I’m excited to serve as a Parent Governor at Totternhoe CE Academy.  I am parent of two children currently attending the school, and I am proud to say that I was a student at Totternhoe myself. Professionally, I am Head of Art & Design at a local secondary school, and I strongly believe in the power of education. I am keen to use my expertise to support the school in helping children succeed. I am honoured to serve as a Parent Governor and committed to the success and well-being of our school community. 


Community Representative Totternhoe - Position vacant 

Governors Trust  Fund - registered charity

The governor's trust fund is separate from the Governing board and meets 3 times a year.

It works hard to raise funds for the school for additional resources. Most recently the trust fund have paid for WiFi to be installed, New school hall windows, 6 ipads and has paid for the library and nurture/ music room redevelopment and for a new classroom in the main school.

If you would like more details and an application form please contact the school. 

Easyfundraising :  http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/totternhoeschooltrust
Raise money  for the Trust Fund using Easyfundraising when you shop online .
Did you know that whenever you buy anything online - from your weekly shop to your annual holiday - you could be raising a free donation for Totternhoe School Trust?

There are nearly 3,000 retailers on board ready to make a donation, including Amazon, John Lewis, Aviva, thetrainline and Sainsbury's – it doesn't cost you a penny extra!

 

 

It's really simple, all you have to do is:
1. Join.
Head to: https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/totternhoeschooltrust/ and sign up for free.
2. Shop.
Every time you shop online, go to easyfundraising first, pick the retailer you want and start shopping.
3. Raise.
After you’ve checked out, that retailer will make a donation to your good cause for no extra cost whatsoever!
There are no catches or hidden charges and Totternhoe School Trust will be really grateful for your donations.
Thank you for your support.

 

Totternhoe CE Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our children and young people and expects all staff, volunteers and visitors to the school to share this commitment 

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