Holmwood School
The Local Governing Body
Governance Welcome
Thank you for looking at the Governor pages. I am James Blackhurst and have the pleasure of being the Chair of Governors for Ashbrook, Holmwood and Two Mile Ash Schools.
With Ashbrook and Holmwood joining the IFTL Trust in 2020 and our positions in the local community, it made logical sense to look at how the schools could provide parents with a joined-up journey for our children both educationally and pastorally. To support the Senior Leaders in this endeavour, the Governing Bodies of the Bridge Partnership and Two Mile Ash took the decision to merge….and with thanks to our children’s inspirational ideas we are now called the PATH Local Governing Body – PATH being the Partnership of Ashbrook, Two Mile Ash, and Holmwood.
My involvement across the schools has been as a parent of four children who progressed through Holmwood and Two Mile Ash. I became a Governor in 2008 at TMA and have been Chair of Governors at Two Mile Ash since 2016 and now across PATH since September 2020.
I continue to be immensely impressed and proud of what is achieved for and by our children across all three schools. We have skilled and hardworking staff who are dedicated to ensuring that all the children receive an education of the highest quality, working with parents at every opportunity. No more so than in the last year where new ways of teaching, ways of engaging and new technology have impacted us all. On behalf of the schools, I thank you for your support!
Whilst academic achievement is always at the forefront of any parent’s considerations, we believe that it is also about the journey your child makes through the schools and the opportunities that they are offered and take advantage of both in and outside of the classroom. The enrichment opportunities afforded to our children that this Partnership offers, is essential in achieving that balanced educational experience.
The aim is to ensure that each Child is well prepared to progress through the year groups and eventually beyond TMA…. although when you see them move between years and eventually to the leavers performance and assemblies in Year 6, perhaps we should focus on preparing the Teachers for life without your children!
The Governing Body is responsible for supporting and challenging the Senior Teams in making sure that everything that is achieved is done so seamlessly, in a joined-up manager across the Partnership and always to the benefit of your children. It is responsible to ensure all stakeholders voices are heard.
As mentioned, the schools are part of the wider Trust, IFTL and we are therefore supported by a wider team, group of schools and community. It increases our ability to continue to provide quality first teaching and extend the wonderful enrichment provisions available.
Making your child’s time across the schools a memorable one takes a partnership approach. A partnership between the schools and a partnership with you. Please take us up on engaging with us whenever you need – we will listen and work with you.
If you would like to contact me or any of the Governors, you can do so through the Clerk to the Governors.
Our Clerk is: Miss Hayley Cutchey
Tel: (01908) 562262
The Local Governing Body is accountable to the Board of Trustees of IFtL for the way our schools are run and as such, are part of a wider governance structure of IFtL. Details of this wider structure are available at IFtL’s governance page.
The remit and responsibilities of the Governing Body of the school and the Members and Board of Trustees of IFtL are outlined in the Scheme of Delegation of Inspiring Futures through Learning, our Multi-Academy Trust and can be found at: www.iftl.co.uk/governance-in-iftl
For further information regarding IFtL’s Board of Trustees, please visit: Board of trustees – Inspiring Futures Through Learning (iftl.co.uk)
To contact the Governors directly, kindly use the contact us page.
Useful Links:
PATH Governing Body Membership Information
IFtL Governance and Trustee Structure