Local School Committee (LSCs)

Our LSCs are the champions of our values in each of our academies. The role of a Local Representative within a Multi-Academy Trust is an important one and sits at the heart of the relationship with academy leaders. The Trust Board establishes the LSCs and approves the membership of each committee. For the most part, each LSC is made up of individuals drawn from the community, both as elected and appointed members.

The Local Representatives are accountable to the Trust Board as well as to the communities they serve. Across all of our LSCs we have a range of expertise that help to fulfil their role to:

• support and challenge academy leaders to make their academy highly effective
• provide local insight and connect the academy to its community
• ensure clarity of vision, ethos, and strategic direction.

Training and development are provided to ensure new Representatives are inducted successfully, and existing Representatives are kept up to date with changes in education practice and procedures.

The Role of the LSC

• Together with the Headteacher they are responsible for making sure that our academy provides good quality education
• Provide challenge and support to the Headteacher, drawing on their knowledge, experience, and community insights
• Support the Headteacher to develop the academy vision and strategic objectives, including performance targets, academy policies, and school development plans
• Review progress against the objectives and performance data
• Evaluate the academy’s culture, curriculum, and daily experience against the Trust’s values
• Monitor the impact of policies
• Conduct purposeful, structured visits to understand lived experience
• Report on academy achievements and respond to inspection recommendations
• Champion the strengths and achievements of the academy and Trust within the community
• Strengthen and maintain community engagement and partnerships and gather community insights
• Support with exclusions and the reinstatement of pupils

Our LSC Representatives and their specific responsibilities:

Chair: Mike Lumby

Vice chair: Zoe Turner

Safeguarding Responsibility: Samantha Gericke

SEND Responsibility: Zoe Turner

Pupil Premium/Sport Premium Responsibility: Mike Lumby 

What do Local School Representatives do?

The Local School Committee and its Representatives are responsible for promoting pupil achievement; providing local insight; connecting the academy to its community; and ensuring clarity of vision, ethos, and strategic direction. These are practical examples of how the LSC, and its Representatives might do this:

• Safeguarding, SEND and pupil premium leads meet with the appropriate academy staff at least once a year
• Representatives could attend academy performances, sports fixtures, or exhibitions and help publicise them locally
• A Representative might collect feedback from parents/carers on new homework approaches, communicate concerns respectfully, and help the academy shape clearer messaging or support materials
• Representatives might help organise community days, invite local trades to offer work experience, or connect with local universities for enrichment activities
• Representatives carry out academy visits
• The LSC needs to understand key trends, so they will review data, for example, strategies that are improving attendance or reducing exclusions
• They will discuss curriculum intent and implementation with the Headteacher or subject leads and review examples of children’s work

The LSC is made up of:

• Parent Representatives
• Community Representatives
• Co-opted Representatives and;
• A Staff Representative

The following documents are available upon request:

• approved and signed minutes

• agendas

• any papers considered at the meeting

Our Governors 

Mike Lumby (Chair of Representatives)

Mike is a Cyber Security professional with a diverse set of experiences and skills. He is the father of two boys, one at Chipping Warden Kindergarten and one at the Academy. With a keen interest in sustainability and education approaches, he aims to work with the staff and students to build a future proof school.

Zoe Turner (Co-Opted Representative - Safeguarding and SEND)

I am an English Teacher at a secondary school for children with Social, Emotional and Mental Health Needs. I have worked at this school for 6 years and enjoy every moment. I have a strong interest in SEND and hope to one day qualify as a SENCo.

Hamish Gairdner (Co-opted Representative)

I am the Estate Manager at Edgcote. I have a daughter who enjoyed Chipping Warden  Kindergarten and is now attending the academy. I am passionate about Rural affairs, through my job I am involved with the local community and I am also a member of Chipping Warden Parish Council.

Samantha Gericke (Community Representative) 

I work at Chipping Warden Kindergarten with pre school children and I also run Forest school sessions. I have three children who all attend Chipping Warden Primary Academy. 

Jazzy Banister (Community Representative)

I am a farmer and run an Airbnb and Event Venue near Chipping Warden. I have a strong interest in education and the environment, particularly in encouraging children to engage with, and learn from nature. Since moving back here from London, I am keen to become more involved in the local community, and I am now also a member of the Chipping Warden Parish Council.

Register of Business and Pecuniary Interest September 2025

Governors/Members of staff - Leavers during last 12 months

Representative Attendance 2024/25

Key

Present - P

Apologies - A

Not a governor - N/A

Observer - O