Local Committee

As part of Elevate Multi Academy Trust, our Local Committee (formerly Local Governing Body) acts as the local layer of governance, ensuring alignment with the trust’s overall governance framework while focusing on the needs of our academy and community. This structure promotes consistency, accountability, and collaboration across all Elevate academies.

We follow the purpose of governance as set out in the Academy Trust Governance Guide 2024, which is to provide:

·       Strategic Leadership
Setting the vision, ethos, and strategic direction for the academy in line with trust priorities.

·       Accountability and Assurance
Holding leaders to account for educational performance, safeguarding, and having an overview of financial probity.

·       Strategic Engagement
Acting as a link between the academy, parents, and the wider community to ensure stakeholder voices are heard.

 

Why Our Local Committee Matters

Although the Board of Trustees is ultimately accountable for the trust, our Local Committee provides an essential local layer of governance for Elevate. This ensures alignment with trust-wide governance while focusing on the unique needs of our academy and community.

Our Local Committee plays a vital role by:

·       Connecting the Board of Trustees, the academy, and the community
Acting as a bridge to ensure decisions reflect local context.

·       Providing strong links to the Board of Trustees
Sharing local insights so trust-level decisions are well informed.

·       Engaging meaningfully with parents and the wider community
Keeping the academy at the heart of its community and working with local organisations where possible.

·       Serving as ambassadors for the Trust
Bringing deep knowledge of the community and its specific needs, which is invaluable to the Board of Trustees.

·       Supporting parental and community involvement
Ensuring decision-making by the board of trusteees is shaped by meaningful engagement.

·       Playing an important role in safeguarding and safety
Offering local oversight and understanding of the academy environment.

·       Assuring the academy’s performance and quality of education
Using local stakeholder voices to monitor and support improvement.

·       Escalating issues when necessary
Acting promptly to raise concerns with the Board of Trustees.

·       Acting as a critical friend to the Headteacher
Providing constructive challenge at a strategic level.

·       Triangulating information
Reviewing policies, visiting the academy, and speaking with staff and pupils to gain a full picture.

 

The different responsibilities overseen by trustees and local committees are set out in the Scheme of Delegation, which is reviewed on an annual basis.

 

Link to Scheme of Delegation

Link to Articles of Association

 

The Local Committee comprises of:

The Head Teacher

Staff local committee member- elected by the staff at the academy 

2 parent local committee members - elected by parents at the academy

2 community local committee members - Invited by the other Local Committee members for their skill set from the local community

2 foundation local committee members – appointed by trust and agreed by the Diocese

Associate members - Appointed by local committee members to provide short term support in areas identified by the Local Committee. They have no voting rights and their term of office will be limited to 1 year. 

 

Chair of Local Committee: Ann Westmoreland

Email: cofg@ksjprimaryschool.org   

Address: c/o Knaresborough St John's CofE Primary School, Stockwell Road, Knaresborough, HG5 0JN

 

 
Our Local Committee Members

Ann Westmoreland: Co-opted Local Committee Member and Chair.  Ann is a graduate of the University of Leeds. Initially she trained as and then worked as a Radiographer at Harrogate District Hospital before moving to Seacroft Hospital to train in Radiography Education in the NHS.  Ann has recently retired as a Radiography Lecturer from the University of Leeds.  Since retiring Ann now volunteers at Knaresborough St John’s school in the school library and helping children with their reading.  Ann is also a member of a local literary group.

 

Katherine Demir: Co-opted Local Committee Member 

Katherine is a graduate of York St John’s University who after graduating with a degree in Sports and Exercise Science entered the world of retail management. She has managed large stores in London and Yorkshire and now is a Head of Retail working with two Skincare brand in stores such as Harvey Nichols and Selfridges. Her experience with large companies and teams is extensive and includes, health and safety, risk management, business management, finance, relationship building and coaching and development.

Katherine is also a regular attender at St. John’s Church Knaresborough and has previously run a Brownie unit

Katherine has lived in Knaresborough since 2012 and is passionate about the school, church and bringing the community together.

 

David Sapherson: Co opted Local Committee Member

To be written

 

Elaine Armes: Co-opted Local Committee Member

Elaine is a graduate of Bradford University with a degree in Industrial Technology and Management. She has worked in a variety of technical positions for engineering and IT companies.

Whilst her children were young she ran her own mail order and publishing  business.

Now retired from project management and implementation with a software company she is a member of the PCC at St Johns Church and enjoys textiles, history and art.

 

Lindsay Richardson: Staff Local Committee Member Governor

After studying at Newcastle and York St John's University, Lindsay worked at Markington Primary School for 4 years before joining the St John's family. She has enjoyed teaching throughout KS1 and is now the school Senco and Deputy Headteacher. Lindsay is passionate about teaching and learning and has been a Governor for over 10 years.  In her spare time, she enjoys running, snowboarding and holidays with family and friends.

 

Revd Garry Hinchcliffe: Ex Officio Local Committee Foundation Member

Garry has served in the church both in his native Scotland and then in England since 1994. On moving to North Yorkshire in 2000 he became a school governor and has served in that capacity in different schools ever since. Governance is not truly where his heart lies. However, he embraces the role as his true passion and commitment are to the children, parents and staff who make up the whole school community. He hopes he is an approachable, friendly and recognisable face that is there to support and help in an ever changing world.
 

Helena Helm: Foundation Local Committee Member

To be written

 

 Amie Rogers: Parent Local Committee Member

To be written

 

 Catrina Spencer: Parent Local Committee Member 

 After graduating from Leeds University with a History degree, Catrina then went on to completing a PGCE at York St Johns. She has spent her 15 years of teaching in all year groups from reception to Year 6 and had lots of different roles, including English subject leader and head of key stage. Currently Catrina is working in a primary school as SENCO, inclusion and well-being lead. She has 2 children who attend St Johns.

 

Luke Bedford: Associate Member

After graduating with a degree in Forensic Science, Luke took a gap year in which he travelled to South Africa where he taught in schools, he re-trained as a teacher. He has now taught for 10 years in various primary schools and is now one of the Deputy Headteachers at St John's Primary School. He has taught within the school for the last 7 years. 
 

Name

Term of Office

Link Role

Name of Business

Nature of Business

Nature of Interest

Alex Hope

Head teacher

N/A

N/A

Knaresborough St John’s

Education

Head teacher

Lindsay Richardson

Satff

25.03.2021 to 25.03.2025

N/A

Knaresborough St John’s

Education

Deputy Head Teacher

Rev Garry Hinchcliffe

Foundation

Ex officio

 Well being 

Knaresborough

Religion

Team Rector

Jack Wilson

Foundation

01.12.2021 01.12.2025

 Well being

Retired

The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Knaresborough, Goldsborough, Nidd and Brearton

None

Religion

None

Trustee

Jessie Lewis

Parent

07.05.2020 to 07.05.2024

 quality of Education

Solista ltd

Teddy and Belle

IT contracting

Floristry

Director

Sole Trader

 Catrina Spencer

Parent

18.11.2021 to 17.11.2025

 SEND

 

 Education

 Teacher

Ann Westmoreland

Co opted (chair)

01.02.2022 to 01.02.2026

Safeguarding

None

None

None

Katherine Demir

Co opted

06.10.2022 to 06.10.2026

 

International Institute of Anti-Ageing

 products

Head of Retail

David Sapherson

Co opted

28.11.2019 to 28.11.2023

Finance

 

 

 

 Elaine Armes

Co opted 

 02.03.2023 to 01.03.202027

 

 

 

 

 

CLERK TO THE GOVERNORS

Mrs Dianne Mousley

Governors:

Tracey Dunne left the governing body on 15th July 2021 due to non attendance 

Chris Smith resigned 18.11.2021

Miranda Newbury resigned 18.11.2021

Governor Attendance:

NameFormat
Files
KSJ Governor Attendance 20232024.docx .docx
KSJ governorattendance 20222023.pdf .pdf
Governor attendance 20212022.docx .docx
Governor attendance 20192020.docx .docx
Governor attendance 20202021.docx .docx