The role of the local governing body 

In order to understand the role and responsibilities of the local governing body within Iceni Academy Methwold  it is important to recognise that the governing body of a school that is part of a multi-academy trust, such as this one is, is very different from that of a single academy school or a community school.

The main difference is that the trust is the accountable body and ultimate decision-making body and not the local governors, or local governance tier as they are known, and it is the trustees who decide how governance works at individual academy level and what responsibilities are delegated to the local tier.  The trust board can, at any time choose to remove those delegated responsibilities or change the committee structure.  So, in a nutshell the local governing body is a committee of, and dependent on, the trust board for any decision-making powers.

So, what is the role of the local governing body at Iceni Academy Methwold?

The local governing body is an informed local community resource with a unique local perspective and a delegated responsibility to provide challenge and support to the academy and the Trust.  Local governors are the “eyes and ears” of the trustees in the local community.

In line with the trust’s Scheme of Delegation, local governors are responsible for supporting academy improvement and engaging with academy leaders and the community in order to ensure that all students reach their full potential, regardless of background or level of ability.

This academy is part of a local cluster.  This means that the governing bodies of two or more academies come together to form one local governing body.

Fully supported by the Trust’s Governance Team and the Chair, local governors of Iceni Academy Methwold are responsible for:

  1.  Knowing, understanding and challenging pupils’ overall progress and attainment. This means being clear about where the attainment gaps are, what provisions are in place to close those gaps and the impact of those provisions.
  2. Monitoring child protection and welfare in the academy including attendance, behaviour, suspensions and permanent exclusions.
  3. Receiving and noting summary management accounts and risk registers provided by the academy.
  4. Hearing any appeals as part of the complaints process and sitting on discipline panels in relation to suspensions and permanent exclusions.
  5. Evaluating their own effectiveness through the local governing body action plan, skills audit and clerk-led self-evaluation.

School visits help governors to understand more about their academy and the reality of school life.  We encourage governors to take on specific roles, dependent upon their interests and visit their academy.

Being a governor is a very rewarding experience.  You will be part of a team who is working to improve the life chances of children, some of whom come from very challenging backgrounds.  You will learn new skills whilst giving something back to the community you live and work in.  Our local Governors are committed to Transforming Lives, they give their time and energy to oversee the academy and take on a lot of responsibility.  Governance is enhanced by a team from a diverse range of professional, social and cultural backgrounds, if you are interested in becoming a local community governor please get in touch with us.

Contact the Governors

The Governance Team

If you have feedback, or need support with a concern, our Governance Team are here to help.  Michelle, our Head of Governance, along with Amber, Jo and Jess, our Governance Clerks, all work closely together and will ensure any communications regarding your academy get to the correct person for response and will support you in the process.  The team would also be delighted to hear from you if you are considering becoming a governor yourself and would like some information about it.  They can be found via the following:

  • Email: governance@attrust.org.uk
  • Telephone: Leave a message via ​01366 728333
  • Address: FAO Clerk to the Governors, Iceni Academy, Stoke Road, Methwold, Thetford, Norfolk.. IP26 4PE

Meet the Governors

Simon Connor, Chair and Local Parent Governor

Term of Office: 01/09/2022 – 31/08/2027 appointed by ATT Trustees

Safeguarding Link Governor

Simon has been a Police officer for 28 years carrying out a wide range of roles.  Simon has 2 older children 1 who is in the Army and the other works in a family business.  Simon also has 2 children at Iceni Secondary, and has a real passion to ensure all children have the best chance to succeed at school and give themselves options for the future. 

Simon has previously been a Governor at his children’s Primary School, he found it very rewarding and threw himself into the role.   Outside of work Simon has 2 spaniels who need lots of walks. Simon also enjoys gardening and growing his own Vegetables. Simon also enjoys playing golf.

Jacob Morton, Vice Chair and Local Community Governor

Term of Office: 11/03/2024 to 10/03/2028 appointed by the LGB

SEND Link Governor

My name is Jacob Morton. I live in Swaffham where The Nicholas Hamond Academy is based, and am also the Breckland District Councillor for the town. As the local Councillor and a volunteer for organisations such as Alzheimer’s Research UK and ParkRun, I am always keen to find new ways to contribute to the local community. In addition, I attended Iceni Academy – where I greatly enjoyed my time – from 2014 to 2019 and so have a connection to both schools within this cluster. I am keen to use my experience as a Councillor, student and former Student Governor at CWA to help give something back to both schools and play my part in helping them to be the best that they can be. Outside of work and council duties, I enjoy walking, history, current affairs, pub quizzes and exploring castles and old buildings

Graham Edwards, Local Community Governor

Term of Office: 10/03/2023 to 31/08/2027 appointed by the LGB

Careers Link Governor

Jonathan Smith, Local Parent Governor

Term of Office: 25/11/2024 to 24/11/2028 elected by the Parents

I attended TNHA from 1996-2000 and have a strong affiliation with the local area having grown up in Holme Hale.  I now live and run my business in Narborough.  In 2024 my eldest child started at TNHA, and with 2 more children to follow, I have 10 more years of TNHA being a huge part of our lives.

I feel that all children deserve opportunity, regardless of their circumstances; being able to achieve in life should not be dependent on your starting point.

I grew up in a household on benefits and have gone on to establish a successful business and understand the struggles and challenges faced by young people, and what it takes to face these and succeed.

I will bring experience from the finance industry alongside running my own business and combine this with a real world understanding of peoples’ circumstances and the impact school can have on helping children break through the barriers they face.

Luke Taylor, Local Staff Governor

Term of Office: 20/09/2024 – 19/09/2028 appointed by Iceni Academy Methwold staff

Staff Voice for ICS Link Governor

I want to be part of making this Academy the best it can be, and believe I have the experience, knowledge and passion to do so.  Now in my fourteenth year of teaching, I have taught in three very different schools, including a significant period of time at Iceni Academy. I have first hand experience of being a classroom teacher, form tutor, Head of Subject and Head of Year. The Academy has had periods where it has been performing highly and times where it has faced difficulties. During these changing times, I gained great insight as to what was enabling the successes of the Academy, as well as the issues causing difficulties.

During these fluctuating times my standards and contribution as a teacher and member of staff remained consistently high, ranging from the academic outcomes attained by my students, the breadth of opportunity I provided through extracurricular sports and residential trips and positive relationships maintained with pupils and parents alike. This period of time has also seen me become a father myself, adding wider perspective to what an Academy needs to value. Now, as the Academy continues to improve, I feel I can add informed opinion to the decisions and directions taken to move the Academy forwards, to give our students the best educational experience we can provide.

Mandy Lakey, Local Community Governor

Term of Office: 07/10/2024 – 06/10/2028 appointed by the LGB

I have worked within the public sector for 16 years within Child & Adult Services, Corporate Services and HR and am currently employed by the College of West Anglia. I enjoy contributing to my local community and am an advocate of lifelong learning, no-one is too young or too old to learn! I encourage having a healthy mental wellbeing and learning something new every day, no matter how small this is.


I am passionate about education and started my career as an apprentice over 20 years ago and am completing a Chartered Manager Degree apprenticeship. I am keen to support pupils, staff and families of TNHA to contribute to the local community and develop their skills and knowledge to pursue their passions and career.

Sallyanne Palmer, Local Community Governor

Term of Office: 07/10/2024 – 06/10/2028 appointed by the LGB

Having lived in Swaffham most of my life I feel that it is now time to continue my journey supporting young people to be the best that they can be by becoming an active governor at the ICS and TNHA Cluster LGB. 

I am a nationally qualified Youth Worker, with a degree in Youth and Community Studies. My working career had included Norfolk County Council, The British Youth Council (UK Youth Parliament), the Iceni Partnership, the College of West Anglia, the Mancroft Advice Project (Breckland Youth Advisory Board), and the NHS. 

My focus when working with young people has always been around empowering them to explore opportunities, getting involved in having a voice and stepping out of their comfort zones, whilst advocating on their behalf. 

My husband and I run our own business in Swaffham, working alongside clients and staff whilst managing the running of the day to day business.  I volunteer as the Welfare Officer at Swaffham Golf Club and I’m a Trustee for the Hamond Educational Trust.  I have a small craft business hand printing items using sustainable Indian wooden blocks, running workshops too.  In my spare time I enjoy being with my family and cats, photography and travelling.

Sarah Oakley, Local Community Governor

Term of Office: 19/11/2024 – 18/11/2028 appointed by the LGB

Pupil Premium Link Governor

My name is Sarah Oakley, and I live in Watlington with my husband and two children.  Although we live out of the catchment area, our eldest son is a pupil at Iceni Academy.  

I work part-time within social housing, and this enables me to enjoy a good work-life balance, which is of utmost importance to me. 

I have volunteered in recent times within both the preschool and primary school environments in Watlington, holding the roles of Treasurer for 10 years at the Preschool and PTA Chairperson at the Primary School for 5 years.   

As our children get older, I feel that a governor within a secondary school environment is the next natural step for me to take; I am looking forward to getting closer to the schools, building new links and relationships, and to help to make a difference during these changing times.  

Being a busy working mum to two boys, much of my spare time is spent juggling their various afterschool activities and I try to find the time to visit the gym as often as I can! 

Samantha Caro, Local Staff Governor

Term of Office: 27/05/2022 – 31/08/2027 appointed by The Nicholas Hammond Academy staff

Staff Voice for TNHA Link Governor

I trained as a Maths teacher in 2013 after completing my degree in Mathematics at the University of East Anglia.  Since then, I have worked in several schools in Norfolk and am passionate about providing a good quality of education for young people.  I have been the Director of Mathematics at TNHA since 2017 and have seen first-hand what an amazing job everyone at the school does on a daily basis.  Our students get a truly unique and personal experience that I feel very fortunate to be part of.

Vanessa Farley, Local Community Governor

Term of Office: 25/11/2024 to 24/11/2028 appointed by the LGB

I am a parent of a Year 7 student, so I have a vested interest in the overall success of TNHA and ICS. Having 35 years experience in senior management, I have a wealth of knowledge in people management, recruitment, HR, budgets, health & safety, amongst other skills, which I can bring to the academy to support the school’s vision, ethos and strategic direction. I graduated from Nottingham Trent University as a mature student at the age of 42 and continue to learn and attend training courses that enhance my ability to improve my knowledge and skills where needed. I have the confident and ability to challenge, when necessary, while maintaining the ability to see the bigger picture. I can also bring an enhanced understanding of SEND through previous work placement and personal experience and am focused on continual learning in this area. Having taken redundancy after 35 years in management to be around for my child, I can commit wholeheartedly to this vital voluntary role and play a part in the academies’ quest to continually deliver an exemplary education for our children.

Useful Links

LGB Register of Business Interests 2024-25 to be posted after LGB1

LGB Meeting Attendance Register 2023-24

LGB Meeting Attendance Register 2022-23

LGB Register of Interests 2024-25

LGB Register of Interests 2023-24

Governance Scheme of Delegation 

Academy Transformation Trust Governance

Academy Transformation Trust Company Information

Governors Virtual Office – GVO (Governors access only)