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Governance

he TSAT Governance Model is different to the way a governing body in a non-academy or traditional school undertakes governance. 

Essentially, there are three elements to the governance of the TSAT academies; local governance which is delivered via the Academy Governing Board (AGB), a Regional Review and Assurance Board (RAB) which ensures local governance is effective, and the Thinking Schools Academy Trust Board of Directors.  

There is an Academy Governing Board for each school (or small cluster of schools) which consists of a group 8-11 governors made up of the Headteacher, Parents, Staff, Trust link staff and Community members who are appointed with the skills needed to fulfil the responsibilities of the AGB. Governors are elected for a term of 4 years and meet a minimum of 6 times a year.  

The key responsibilities of the Academy Governing Body are to: 

• Hold Academy leadership to account for schools’ academic performance, quality of care and provision; 

• Ensure the Trust’s vision, policies and priorities are delivered within the Academy; 

• Oversee and monitor the effectiveness of local strategies and implementation of the School Improvement Plan   

• Ensure consideration is given to stakeholder voices in strategic decision making and policy setting  

• Have involvement in the performance management of the Headteacher via the AGB Chair’s inclusion in annual professional growth reviews. 

AGB Members

The AGB Members for Kings Ash Academy are:

Name  

Link role  

Start of Term  

Length of Term 

Appointed by 

Business Interest 

End of term 

Matthew Harbour 

Chair/Community 

1st September 2024 

4 years 

Board of Directors 

Deputy CEO & VP South Devon College, Vice Chair Torbay Culture Board, Chair HoSW Careers Hub 

 

Caroline Knight 

Community 

1st September 2024 

4 years 

Board of Directors 

Employee South Devon College 

 

Tim Stephens 

Community 

1st September 2024 

4 years 

Board of Directors 

Family ownership of Acorns Pre-School 

 

Claire-Marie Taylor 

Parent 

11th September 2024 

4 years 

Board of Directors 

 

 

Jenny Taylor 

Parent 

4th January 2025 

4 years 

Board of Directors 

 

 

Tim Sandercombe 

Community 

4th January 2025 

4 years 

Board of Directors 

Assistant Head at Curledge Street Academy 

 

Lynne Thomas 

Community 

4th January 2025 

4 years 

Board of Directors 

Support staff member at Paignton Academy 

 

Alice Hackett 

Community 

4th January 2025 

4 years 

Board of Directors  

Assistant Head at Learning Academy Partnership 

 

Andy Saunders 

Staff 

4th January 2025 

4 years 

Board of directors 

Support staff member at Kings Ash Academy 

 

Laura Ford 

Staff 

4th January 2025 

4 years 

Board of Directors 

Teacher at Knigs Ash Academy 

 

To explore Governor vacancies available within the Thinking Schools Academy Trust, please visit our recruitment website or email governance@tsatrust.org.uk.  

overning board meetings attendance during academic year 2024/25  

AGB Formed January 2025 

Name 

Meetings Attended  

Out of a Possible 

Matt Harbour 

Caroline Knight 

Tim Stephens 

Claire-Marie Taylor 

Jenny Taylor 

Tim Sandercombe 

Lynne Thomas 

Alice Hackett 

Andy Saunders 

Laura Ford 

More information about the AGB and governance across the Thinking School Academy Trust can be found at:
http://www.tsatrust.org.uk/about/governance/