Governance

Our Local Governing Body

Overview of governance

A school’s governing body helps steer the school, establish its vision and ethos and challenge the staff to deliver the goals that are set. This body is part of a team committed to improving the lives and future prospects of young people.

What are the roles of the governing body?

  • To challenge and support the Principal.
  • To oversee the Academy’s long-term vision, strategic aims, values, and ethos.
  • To carry out statutory responsibilities, such as safeguarding.
  • To agree and monitor plans and policies.
  • To make creative use of available resources.
  • To monitor and evaluate performance.
  • To be involved in the appointment of the Principal.
  • To ensure proper financial management of the Academy.
  • To communicate openly with parents, staff and the local community.

Governance and the role of the Trust

OAT’s Trustees are personally responsible for the actions of OAT and the academies. The main delegation from the Trust Board at the local level of governance includes a Local Governing Body which comprises parents, staff, community members and the OAT Regional Director (Education Director from September 2022). The Local Governing Body is responsible for elements of the Trustee Board’s role of strategic direction and oversight at a local level. Each local governing body is accountable to the Trust Board in relation to any matter delegated to it. The duties, responsibilities and authorities of local governing bodies are outlined in the Decision-Making Framework and LGB Terms of Reference which we can upload to the portal if you require.

Every academy also has a Strategic Progress Board which is chaired by the Education Director as a key member of that committee. The purpose of these boards is to support the local members of the LGB in monitoring the quality of education and school improvement, it also provides training opportunities for LGB members who are not education specialists. The Regional/Education Director is also responsible for the line management of myself and will work in collaboration with the Chair of the Local Governing Body to ensure our support and accountability.

Statutory obligation and structure

For information on the Academy’s governing body including business and register of interest and attendance visit the Governor List page on this website.

The composition of OAT local governing bodies should always include:

  • At least one co-opted community governor
  • At least one and no more than two parent governors
  • At least one and no more than two staff governors
  • One OAT nominee
  • The principal

The local governing body operates with these committees:

  • Strategic Progress Board (SPB)

The scheme of delegation for the Local Governing Body can be found here.

The terms of reference for the Local Governing Body can be found here.

Be a governor

If you are intersted in becoming a governor, please visit our sponsor’s website for more information.

Key contact details

Clerk to the governing body: Julie Isahak

To contact the chair of governors or governing body, please write to:

Clerk to the governing body
c/o Ormiston Endeavour Academy, Defoe Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 6SG

Alternatively, email the clerk to the governing body at [email protected] or telephone the school reception on 01708 865180 and leave a message.