To help keep all pupils safe, please ensure the school has up-to-date information about any allergies your child may have. Accurate allergy information enables us to put appropriate support plans in place, train staff effectively, and respond quickly in an emergency. We all have a part to play in creating a safe environment, including following our nut-aware policy and being mindful of the food brought into school. If your child has an allergy, please contact the school or update their details via Arbor. Be Allergy Aware and Save A Life - see more here.

Governance

The Thinking Schools Academy Trust governance model is different from that of a traditional maintained school.

Governance within the Trust operates through a clear layered structure, combining strong local oversight with Trust-wide strategic accountability.

Local governance is delivered through the Academy Governing Body (AGB), with overall responsibility held by the Trust Board of Directors.

This ensures that each school benefits from dedicated local governors who understand the community, alongside consistent Trust-wide leadership and assurance.

For information on the role of the Board of Directors, Members and Board minutes please follow the link here: www.tsatrust.org.uk/about/governance/

Academy Governing Body (AGB)

Each academy (or small cluster of academies) has an Academy Governing Body.

AGBs typically consist of between 8 and 11 governors in addition to the Headteacher, made up of:

· Parent representatives

· Staff representatives

· Trust-appointed governors

· Community governors

Governors are appointed or elected based on the skills and experience required to support effective governance. Governors usually serve a term of four years and AGBs meet a minimum of six times per year.

The role of the Academy Governing Board

The key responsibilities of the Academy Governing Board are to:

· Hold academy leadership to account for educational performance, quality of care and provision

· Ensure the Trust’s vision, policies and strategic priorities are delivered within the academy

· Monitor the effectiveness of local strategies and progress against the School Improvement Plan

· Represent and consider stakeholder voices in strategic decision-making

· Contribute to the performance management of the Headteacher, including the involvement of the AGB Chair in annual professional growth reviews

The AGB Members for New Horizons Primary School are:

Name Role Link Roles Appointed By Date of Appointment Term of Office Date Stepped Down Business Interests
Lizzie Shackelford Headteacher   Board of Directors 01/01/2026 4 years    
Christine Turner Chair / Community Governor   Board of Directors 01/09/2024 4 years   None declared
Hannah Powell Staff Governor Pupil Premium Board of Directors 01/09/2024 4 years   Staff
Rebecca Moncreaff Staff Governor English and Phonics Board of Directors 01/09/2024 4 years   Staff
Gareth Pearse Community Governor   Board of Directors 06/10/2026 4 years   None declared
Daniel Rhodes Trust Link Governor   Board of Directors 22/09/2025 4 years   TSAT Staff

 

Governors who have stepped down in the last 12 months:

Name Role Link Roles Appointed By Date of Appointment Term of Office Date Stepped Down Business Interests
Rencia Mitchell Parent Governor Safeguarding & Attendance Board of Directors 01/09/2024 23 Months 31/08/2026  
Diane Wycherley Parent Governor Early Years & Parental Engagement Board of Directors 01/09/2024 23 Months 31/08/2026  
Carol Durrant Trust Link Governor Risk & Compliance Board of Directors 01/09/2024 23 Months 31/08/2026  

Jack Jones

 Headteacher   Board of Directors 01/09/2024 15 Months 31/12/2025  

 

Further Information:

To explore Governor vacancies available within the Thinking Schools Academy Trust, please visit our recruitment website or email governance@tsatrust.org.uk.

 

AGB meeting attendance during academic year 2025/26:  

Name Meetings attended Out of a possible
Jack Jones 2 2
Hannah Powell 6 6
Rebecca Moncreaff 2 6
Christine Turner 6 6
Diane Wycherley 5 6
Rencia Mitchell 4 6
Carol Durrant 3 6
Daniel Rhodes 6 6