If you’re interested in becoming a school governor, please click here to find out more and contact Kate Duckmanton (PA to the Headteacher) at kate.duckmanton@sirthomasfremantle.org to register your interest.

Governance Structure and Remit

Sir Thomas Fremantle School is a single academy trust and a company limited by guarantee. Our governance structure ensures strong oversight, clear accountability, and effective decision-making to secure the best outcomes for our pupils.

Members

The Members are the guardians of the trust’s constitution and have an overarching responsibility for ensuring its charitable objectives are met. Their key responsibilities include:

• Reviewing and approving the Articles of Association

• Appointing and removing Members and certain Trustees

• Receiving the annual report and audited accounts

• Appointing the external auditors

• Holding the Governing Board to account for the effective governance of the school

Full Governing Board (Trustees)

The Governing Board is responsible for the strategic leadership and governance of the school. Trustees act as both company directors and charity trustees, with three core functions:

1. Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos, and strategic direction

2. Holding executive leaders to account for the educational performance of the school and the effective management of staff

3. Overseeing financial performance and ensuring money is well spent

Key duties include:

• Setting the school’s strategic priorities and approving the school development plan

• Approving budgets and monitoring financial sustainability

• Ensuring statutory duties are met, including safeguarding and SEND provision

• Monitoring educational standards and pupil outcomes

• Appointing the Headteacher and conducting their performance review

Committees of the Governing Board

To carry out its work effectively, the Governing Board delegates specific responsibilities to the following committees:

Finance, Resources, Audit & Risk Committee

Responsible for overseeing financial planning, resource management, audit, and risk. This includes:

• Recommending and monitoring the annual budget and three-year financial plans

• Ensuring value for money in procurement and expenditure

• Overseeing internal and external audit processes

• Monitoring premises, health and safety, and risk management

• Reviewing staffing structures and pay policies

Education & Welfare Committee

Responsible for monitoring the school’s educational performance, welfare provision, and strategic priorities relating to teaching, learning, and pupil support. Its remit includes:

• Monitoring curriculum delivery and standards

• Reviewing pupil progress, attainment, and key performance indicators

• Overseeing safeguarding arrangements

• Monitoring SEND provision and inclusion

• Engaging with stakeholders, including parents, pupils, and the wider community

Pay Review Committee

Oversees the implementation of the school’s pay policy and ensures decisions about pay progression are consistent, transparent, and linked to performance management.

Panels

Certain governance responsibilities are fulfilled by panels convened as required. These include:

• Complaints Panels – to consider formal complaints in line with the school’s Complaints Procedure

• Exclusions Panels – to review permanent or fixed-term exclusions in line with statutory guidance

• HR Panels – to consider staffing matters such as capability, grievance, redundancy, and appeals

Chairs for these panels are appointed on a case-by-case basis.

Clerk to the Governing Board

The Clerk acts as the trust’s governance professional, ensuring compliance with statutory obligations, maintaining accurate records, and supporting effective governance processes.

Clerk to the Governors: Sarah Penkethman

Contacting the Governing Body

Parents wishing to contact the governing body, may do so in writing to:

Sarah Harris
Sir Thomas Fremantle School
George Pass Avenue
Winslow
MK18 3GH

Agendas, approved minutes, and supporting papers from meetings of the governing body or committees can be requested by emailing the Headteacher’s PA, Kate Duckmanton - kate.duckmanton@sirthomasfremantle.org