The Local Governing Body

The strategic leadership and oversight of our schools is undertaken by our Executive Head Teacher and Senior Leadership Team with support and challenge from the Board of Trustees. The Board is made up of representatives from our school communities; each person bringing different strengths and expertise to the Board, (see The Trust web sections for profiles of the Board).

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 development are discussed.  Specific responsibilities for the LGBs are outlined in the TEAM Multi-Academy Trust's Scheme of Delegation (see attached below). Where an LGB is representing a Church School (Pilton Bluecoat, Witheridge and High Bickington), the groups also fulfil the role of an Ethos Committee and will additionally oversee the work of the Christian Foundation within the school.

Local Governing Bodies are directly responsible to the Board of Trustees.  To ensure good communication and continuity between the two groups, each Local Governing Body is chaired by a representative from the Trustees.  Alongside, 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.

Our governing body ensures the school 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 Pilton Infants. If you feel you have the time to spare and have a keen interest in education, why not apply to become a school governor? We currently have vacancies and would love to hear from you if you think it is something you would enjoy.

Please contact Vicki or Lindsay in the office and make an appointment to talk to the Head of School, John Mortimer, when you have time.

Pilton Infants' School Governing Body

The Governing Body consists of nine members; there are no additional, regular committees. We meet every half-term. The minutes of our meetings are a public record and are available to view in the school office, free of charge. You can also click on the links below to read them.

Governors have a term of office of four years from when they are appointed. The Chair is elected on a yearly basis, usually at the first meeting of the autumn term.

Our current Governing Body is constituted of nine Governors as follows: there are a total of 9 Governors, comprising 1 Head of School, 1 member of staff, 1 Local Authority, 2 parents, 2 Foundation and 2 Co-opted. We also have one Associate Member.

Meeting Dates 2023-2024

Tuesday 19th September, Tuesday 14th November, Tuesday 16th January, Tuesday 5th March, Tuesday 30th April, Tuesday 9th July. Meetings usually start at 5.30pm.

School Governors - Pilton Infants' School

Brian Holme	Foundation
John Mortimer	Headteacher
Lindsay Tranter-Sharpe	Staff
Vacant	Co-opted
Jess Haynes	Co-opted
Kate Nolan (Chair)	Parent
Vacant	Foundation
Vacant	Parent
Vacant	Local Authority
Verity Goss	Clerk to Governors

 

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 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 drives the focus of our meetings. To know we are all working together for the good of the children and all 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