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:  Jo Jones

Email: j.jones@knaytonacademy.org  or

Address: Knayton C of E Academy, Knayton, Stockton Road, Thirsk, North Yorkshire, YO7 4AN

Jo Jones - Chair - Community Local Committee Memeber

Jo is a parent to 2 children, 1 of whom is at secondary school and 1 who still attends Knayton.  Jo graduated from Nottingham University with a degree in animal nutrition; but following a successful 14 year career at Cargill she currently works at home on the family farm and campsite with her husband.  Jo joined the governing body in 2015 to give something back to the Academy which has allowed her children to flourish and thrive.  During her term Jo has served as a link governor for science, data review and safeguarding before accepting the responsibility of chairperson in 2020.  One of the parts of the role she most enjoys is meeting up with like-minded people to ensure that through continuous reviewing and monitoring, that Knayton continues to offer outstanding teaching to all its children.

 Brogan Fraser-Standaloft - Community Local Committee Member 

Brogan has 2 young children.  She graduated from University of Cumbria with a BA Hons degree in Primary Education with Advanced Specialism in Physical Education. Brogan currently works for the Education Improvement Service (EIS) as an Early Years Development Adviser (0-7 year old) at Stockton Borough Council. She is a qualified KS1 Moderator, lead phonics teacher and also deliver Early Reading and EYFS statutory framework focus to SCITT students. Previously, Brogan worked for a large academy as a Curriculum Lead and prior to that she worked in North Yorkshire as an Early years and KS1 lead. She has also been a staff governor across 2 federated schools for 7 years, in addition to teaching a mixed Reception and KS1 class. Brogan has a passion for early years, continuous provision, phonics and ensuring that all children are exposed to an exciting, accessible and challenging curriculum, along with the highest quality of teaching and learning.

Staff Local Committee Member - Mr Lewis Todd

 Lewis has worked at Knayton for 2 years, across both Key Stage 1 and 2. He is currently the Year 6 teacher. Lewis graduated from Teesside University with a BA (Hons) in History and then went on to York St John University to complete a School Direct PGCE with QTS. During his training, he worked in a school in Stockton across both Key Stages. Lewis has joined the Governing body to ensure Knayton continues to offer an outstanding education to all of its children. Lewis has a passion for SEND education and ensuring that all children are able to access an inspiring, ambitious and exciting curriculum. 

 Rev. Dianne Gamble – Foundation Local Committee Member

Dianne is a the priest-in-charge of the Hillside group of churches and a Foundation Governor at Knayton C of E Academy.  She was licensed to these churches at the beginning of 2019 having completed curacy in a neighbouring group of churches.  Before moving into ministry, Dianne worked in museum education for York Museums Trust, where she spent 18 years at the National Railway Museum delivering workshops for schools.  Nearly all her adult life has been spent working with children and young people both at work and in church. Outside of her official role, Dianne likes to read and drive steam locomotives. 

 Jean Smethurst – Foundation Local Committee Member

 Appointed as a Foundation Governor in 2020, Jean is very pleased to have this opportunity to support Knayton Academy. She has enjoyed listening to reading, and taking part in assemblies as a member of the ‘Open the Book’ team since she moved into the area four years ago. Jean is a member of the Parish Church Council of St Mary’s Church, Leake. She spent a rewarding and fulfilling career teaching History and General Studies in secondary schools and managed these departments for many years. Subsequently she taught English for Speakers of Other Languages in adult community classes. Now retired, Jean undertakes voluntary work with NYCC Youth Justice Service and enjoys walking, reading, travel and contributing to church and community life.

Parent Local Commitee Member - Lizzie Keenor

Parent Local Committee Member - Bryan Miller

 Clerk: Dianne Mousley

Resignations: 

Joe Bainbridge co opted governor. End of term 

John Richardson Parent governor. Resigned 01.07.2019

Steve Butterworth Staff governor: Resigned as teacher and left 17.07.2019

Hannah Secouet Co-opted 31.08.2020

Sarah Mayhew-Craddock Associate 31.008.2020

Jane Makin Co opted Governor resigned 04.07.2022

Nikkie Beniams as she has left Knayton

Anthony Davison has not attended for over 6 months

Rachal Hall resigned on 22nd March 2021

Lizzie Megson resigned December 2022

Ben Clayton staff governor - resigned as teacher and left 21st July 2023

Governor Attendance at LGB Meetings: