Governance

The TSAT Governance Model is different to the way a governing body in a non-academy or traditional school undertakes governance.

Essentially, there are three elements to the governance of the TSAT academies; local governance which is delivered via the Academy Governing Board (AGB), a Regional Review and Assurance Board (RAB) which ensures local governance is effective, and the Thinking Schools Academy Trust Board of Directors.

There is an Academy Governing Board for each school (or small cluster of schools) which consists of a group 8-11 governors made up of the Headteacher, Parents, Staff, Trust link staff and Community members who are appointed with the skills needed to fulfil the responsibilities of the AGB. Governors are elected for a term of 4 years and meet a minimum of 6 times a year. 

The key responsibilities of the Academy Governing Body are to:

  • Hold Academy leadership to account for schools’ academic performance, quality of care and provision;
  • Ensure the Trust’s vision, policies and priorities are delivered within the Academy;
  • Oversee and monitor the effectiveness of local strategies and implementation of the School Improvement Plan 
  • Ensure consideration is given to stakeholder voices in strategic decision making and policy setting
  • Have involvement in the performance management of the Headteacher via the AGB Chair’s inclusion in annual professional growth reviews.

The AGB Members for Rochester Grammar School are:

MemberGovernor TypeLink RoleStart of Term Length of TermAppointed byBusiness InterestEnd of term
Peter MartinCommunity Member / Chair

Curriculum & Enrichment

Safeguarding & Attendance

1 September 20244 yearsBoard of Directors

Chair, Schools Forum

Director/Trustee at The Fortis Trust

Director of Thinking Solutions for Education Ltd

Trustee of Young Medway

Chair of the Halpern Charitable Association

31 August 2028
Clare BrinklowPrincipal  N/AN/A N/A
Jo AllenParent MemberRecruitment, Workload, Diversity & Wellbeing1 September 20244 yearsBoard of Directors 31 August 2028
Lauren FrenchStaff Member 1 September 20244 yearsBoard of DirectorsTSAT Employee (Rochester Grammar School)31 August 2028
Phil CareyTrust Community Member 1 September 20244 yearsBoard of DirectorsTSAT Employee (Cedar Children's Academy)31 August 2028
Gurtej GillParent MemberSEND & Equality1 September 20244 yearsBoard of Directors 31 August 2028
Alex Hall-ChenCommunity MemberSTEM, Digital & Careers1 September 20244 yearsBoard of Directors-31 August 2028
Nathan HollowayCommunity MemberPupil Premium1 September 20244 yearsBoard of Directors 31 August 2028
Andew LinnCommunity MemberParental & Pupil Engagement, Marketing & Communications1 September 20244 yearsBoard of Directors 31 August 2028
Adeola OlagundoyeParent MemberRisk & Compliance1 September 20244 yearsBoard of Directors 31 August 2028
Lara OsmotherlyStaff Member 1 September 20244 yearsBoard of DirectorsTSAT Employee (Rochester Grammar School)31 August 2028
Divya PatelCommunity MemberSEND & Equality19 September 20244 yearsBoard of Directors-19 September 2028

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

Governing board meetings attendance during academic year 2024/25  

NameMeetings AttendedOut of a possible
Peter Martin  
Clare Brinklow  
Jo Allen  
Lauren French  
Phil Carey  
Gurtej Gill  
Alex Hall-Chen  
Nathan Holloway  
Andew Linn  
Adeola Olagundoye  
Lara Osmotherly  
Dee Patel  

More information about the AGB and governance across the Thinking School Academy Trust can be found at:

http://www.tsatrust.org.uk/about/governance/

 

Contact the Governing Bodies

In the first instance, please contact Mr Peter Martin, Chair of the Academy Governing Board, c/o The Rochester Grammar School, Maidstone Road, Rochester, ME1 3BY