Our Local Governing Body helps steer our school, establish its vision and ethos and challenge our staff to deliver the goals that we set. They are committed to improving the lives and future prospects of our young people.
Through regular visits to the academy and the termly report, provided by the Co-Principals, Governors are able to provide the role of ‘critical friend’, providing both challenge and support where needed. Most of our Governors have personal or professional experience of working with young people with special needs. They are required to keep themselves up-to-date with matters affecting governance and the workings of the academy through training, provided by OAT and, amongst other roles, are responsible for approving academy policies.
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 Director of Alternative Provisions and Special Schools. 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 provide you with if you require.
Every academy also has a Strategic Progress Board which is chaired by our 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 Education Director is also responsible for the line management of the Co-Principals and will work in collaboration with the Chair of the Local Governing Body to ensure our support and accountability.
For information on our academy’s governing body including business and register of interest and attendance visit the Governors List page on this website.
The composition of OAT local governing bodies will always include:
The local governing body operates with these committees:
If you are interested in becoming a governor, please visit our sponsor’s website for more information or get in touch with our Chair of Governors Sue Chesworth [email protected].
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 Thomas Wolsey Ormiston Academy, Defoe Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 6SG
Alternatively, email the clerk to the governing body [email protected] or telephone the school reception on 01473 467600 and leave a message.
OAT is a charitable voluntary organisation reliant on volunteers supported by an experienced team of staff. It is a relatively large multi-academy trust.
The OAT Scheme of Delegation 24-25 can be seen here
The OAT Terms of Reference 24-25 can be seen here