Local Governance Committee

Overview

The governance of a multi-academy trust differs from those of maintained schools. The White Horse Federation (TWHF) believes that placing statutory responsibilities firmly at its centre, in the remit of the board of trustees, allows the Local Governance Committee (LGC) to focus on providing support, overcoming challenges in the delivery of educational excellence, and outstanding outcomes for all pupils.

There are direct channels of communication between the principal and the LGC chair and central services. The clerk to the board of trustees will hold contact details for all members of LGCs within TWHF. However, routine communication for day-to-day school business should come from the chair of that LGC, managed by the school or through an LGC clerk.

The principal and the chair of the LGC are responsible for ensuring the quality and timely distribution of all material needed to keep LGC members well-informed about the school and TWHF. The principal and the chair are also responsible for ensuring the views of the LGC have good lines of communication to the board of trustees. This can be done via the elected chair’s representative on the board of trustees. Senior executives from TWHF will be nominated by the CEO to attend any LGC.

The White Horse Federation has a very clear and shared understanding of what constitutes good and effective governance. Schools within TWHF will be judged to have outstanding governance when members of the LGC:

  • Talk about teaching and learning.
  • Know a great deal about the school and its community.
  • Are ambitious for the school and its community.
  • Ask questions which make colleagues reflect, and that these discussions lead to delivering the very best outcomes for every child and adult within the school community.
  • Maintain strong and effective relationships within TWHF.

For the shared model of governance to be effective for TWHF and the schools, it is essential that there is effective communication between the board of trustees, the LGCs, chairs groups, principals, the central team, and the executive leadership team.

Current Local Governance Committee (LGC)

Emma Hembury – Principal

Vacant - Chair of LGC 

Bev Woodward – Foundation Governor

Rev. Chris Hunter - Foundation Governor

Dan Kingsbury - Trust Appointed Governor 

Emily Wood – Trust Appointed Governor

Cara King – Local Governor

Lisa Angel - Parent Governor 

James McKenna – Staff Governor

Leanna Gardner – Staff Governor

Register of Interests 2025-26 and Attendance 2024-25

Governors have been appointed by the board of trustees and will serve a four-year term.

Name

Role

Nature of Interest

Date Interest Registered

Term of Office

Attendance 2023-24

Emma Hembury

Principal 

TWHF Employee

01/01/2024

01/01/2024 - Ex-officio

Maternity Leave

Vacant

Chair of LGC 

        

Bev Woodward

Foundation Governor

N/A

05/09/25

24/01/23 - 23/01/27

3 of 4
Rev Chris Hunter Foundation Governor N/A   11/12/24 - 10/12/28 3 of 4

Dan Kingsbury 

Trust Appointed Governor

Parent of a child in the school

02/10/25

17/07/25 - 16/07/29

1 of 1 
Emily Wood Trust Appointed Governor N/A  25/09/24 02/11/23 - 01/11/27 4 of 4 

Cara King

Parent Governor

Parent of child in the school

28/09/25

15/05/25 – 14/05/29

1 of 1

Lisa Angel

Parent Governor

Parent of child in school

03/09/25

02/03/23 - 01/03/27

2 of 4

James McKenna

Staff Governor

TWHF Employee

17/10/22

 01/09/22 - 31/08/26 4 of 4
Leanna Gardner Staff Governor TWHF Employee

22/09/2025

 17/01/24 - 16/01/28 3 of 4

 

Governors who left in the Past 12 Months 

Robert Beesley - Trust Appointed Governor 17/07/25 - 02/10/25

Laura Parsons - Trust Appointed Governor 06/07/22 - 31/08/25

Jonathan King - Trust Appointed Governor 06/07/22 - 31/08/25

Leigh Hambly - Trust Appointed Governor 08/10/23 - 31/08/25

Tiffany Butcher - Headteacher - 01/01/25 - 31/08/25

The White Horse Federation Governance Information

Click on the button below to access TWHF governance information, including:

  • Annual report
  • Annual audited accounts
  • Memorandum of association
  • Articles of association
  • Names of charity trustees and members
  • Funding agreement
  • Gender Pay Gap Report
  • Higher Paid Staff reports

TWHF GOVERNANCE INFORMATION