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Governance

As per our Sycamore Church of England Multi-Academy Trust Articles of Association and Scheme of Delegation, each school within the Sycamore Church of England Multi-Academy Trust has its own Local Academy Committee (LAC), which must have a minimum of 2 parent partners in its membership.

Local Academy Committee's have powers and responsibility delegated to them by the Trust Board of Directors and from the Chief Executive Officer, so that those people closest to a school have the prerogative to work in partnership effectively.

We strongly believe that excellent schools have excellent leadership and management from within.

The Trust has a duty to ensure that it enables excellent leadership in each of our schools through empowerment and support.

The Sycamore Church of England Multi-Academy Trust Governance Handbook includes the terms of reference for Local Academy Committees and outlines the code of conduct for partners at all levels.

Christ Church’s Local Academy Committee

Current Local Governors
Previous Local Governors
Name Type Appointed by Date of Appointment Term of Office Pecuniary Interests Resignation Date
Vacancy (Chair)            
Julie Benson Foundation Appointed by Trustees 04/09/23 04/09/23 - 03/09/27 No N/A
Danielle Holt Staff  Elected by Staff 31/01/24 31/01/24 - 30/01/28 No N/A
Dominique Stead Parent Elected by Parents 01/06/21 01/06/21 - 31/05/29 No N/A
Alison Knott Community Appointed by Trustees 01/01/2026 01/01/2026 - 31/12/2029 No N/A
Saaiba Ahmed Parent Elected by Parents 01/01/25 01/01/25 - 31/12/28 No N/A
Martin Van Hecke Executive Headteacher Appointed by Trustees 01/09/25 01/09/25 - 31/08/27 No N/A
Kay James Head of School Ex-officio 01/09/25 01/09/25 - No N/A

 

Name

Type

Appointing Board

Term of Office

Resignation Date

Pecuniary Interests

Jeni Whitham

Community

Appointed by Trustees

18/03/2024 - 17/03/2028

19/01/2026

 No

Sarah. L. Howard

Headteacher

Ex-officio

01/01/19 -

31/08/25

No

Alison Morrell

Community

Appointed by Trustee

18/03/24 - 26/06/25

26/06/25

Yes

Danny Broadhurst

Parent 

Elected by Parent

30/06/22 - 03/09/24

03/09/24

No

Janet Fitton

Foundation

Appointed by Trustees

01/06/20 - 16/02/24

16/02/24

No

Katherine Stedman

Foundation

Appointed by Trustees

26/08/21 - 04/09/23

04/09/23

No

Marie Beswick

Foundation

Appointed by Trustees

27/01/20 - 26/01/23

26/01/23

No

Katherine Ashworth (Chair)

Foundation

Appointed by Trustees

13/09/22-12/09/26

31/08/26

Yes

LAC Attendance at Meetings

Attendance 2024-2025

Member Member Type Term of Office 19th November 2024 1st April 2025 1st July 2025
Katherine Ashworth (Chair) Foundation 13/09/2022-12/09/2026 Present Present Present
Julie Benson Foundation 04/09/2023-03/09/2027 Present Present Present
Danielle Holt Staff 31/01/2024-30/01/2028 Present Present Present
Sarah Howard Head Teacher 01/01/2019 Present Present Present
Alison Morrell Community 18/03/2024-26/06/2025 Absent Present Present
Dominique Stead Parent 01/06/2021-31/05/2025 Present Present Present
Jeni Whitham Community 18/03/2024-17/03/2028 Present Present Present
Saaiba Ahmed Parent 01/01/2025-31/12/2028 Not required Apologies Not required

Attendance 2025-2026

Member Member Type Term of Office 25th November 2025 24th March 2026 16th June 2026
Katherine Ashworth (Chair) Foundation 13/09/2022-12/09/2026 Present Present Present
Julie Benson Foundation 04/09/2023-03/09/2027 Present Present Present
Danielle Holt Staff 31/01/2024-30/01/2028 Present Present Present
Kay James Head of School 01/01/2019 Present Present Present
Mrs Alison Knott Trust Appointed Governor 01/01/2026-31/12/2029 Not required Apologies Accepted Present
Dominique Stead Parent Governor 01/06/2021-31/05/2029 Present Present Present
Martin Van Hecke Executive Headteacher 01/09/2025-31/08/2027 Present Present Present
Jeni Whitham Community 18/03/2024-17/03/2028 Present Attendance Not Marked Not required
Saaiba Ahmed Parent Governor 01/01/2025-31/12/2028 Present Present Present