Academy Council (Governing Body)
Sawtry Village Academy officially joined the CMAT family in April 2015. The Trust was formed with a simple and clear vision: ‘to ensure high quality education at the heart of the community.’ Following successful growth, CMAT became the Meridian Trust in March 2022.
Details of the Trust Members and Directors can be found here: Trustees
Each Academy within the Trust family retains their own Academy Council (formally known as local Governing Body), identity and individuality.
While the Trust is the employer of all staff, it has delegated powers to the Academy Council to exercise governance arrangements for the Academy within the Trust.
The Academy Council is focused upon the individual school context, monitoring standards and achievement, and their local community needs and aspirations:
- Setting strategic priorities and plans
- Monitoring standards and achievement within the school
- Ensuring Trust policies are implemented
- Engaging with all stakeholders to improve outcomes
- Supporting and positively challenging practices within the Academy through the School Leadership Team
Some Academy Councillors take on the role of ‘Champion‘ for a particular area, in which he/she holds the Academy leadership to account by providing challenge from their local knowledge and support from their own wider experiences. The Champions link with the Trust leadership and Directors to represent the interests of the Academy. The Academy Council meets as a full body 6 times in the year.
Academy Council Members
Phillip Harker: Chair of Academy Council and Resources Champion
Term of office ends: 31st August 2030
The Chair of the Academy Council can be contacted via the following email: Governance@Meridiantrust.co.uk
Simon Parsons: Principal of Sawtry Village Academy
Ex-Officio, no end date for term of office
Martin Campbell: Executive Principal
No end date for term of office
Jane Handy: Trust
No end date for term of office
Samantha England: Trust Appointed Councillor, SENDV Champion
Current Parent, term of office ends: 28th March 2030
Iain Lunan: Trust Appointed Councillor, Curriculum & Standards Champion
Current Parent, term of office ends: 1st September 2030
Alison Tanton-Smith: Parent Elected Councillor, Experience Champion
Current Parent, term of office ends: 30th June 2029
Sarah Hawkings: Trust Appointed Councillor, Post 16 Champion
Current Parent, term of office ends: 25th June 2028
Samantha Thompson: Parent Elected Councillor, PR/Parents/Forum Champion
Current Parent, term of office ends: 14th January 2030
Samantha Sadie: Parent Elected Councillor, Experience Champion
Current Parent, term of office ends: 7th January 2030
Meetings
If you would like a copy of any approved Academy Council minutes, please email: governance@meridiantrust.co.uk
If you would like to contact our Academy Council please email: Office@sawtryva.org
Further Information
For further information regarding Annual Audited Accounts, Charity Trustees and Members, Governance structure and the scheme of delegation of the Trust, Annual Reports and Accounts for the Academy please visit: https://www.meridiantrust.co.uk/key-information/governance-key-information/