Governance
Creating lifelong learning opportunities for everyone
Overview of Governance
Old Stratford Primary School is part of the Grand Union Partnership Multi Academy Trust. Each school within the Trust has its own Local Academy Committee with a constitution of 10 Governors which includes two parent governors, one staff governor and the Headteacher.
Effective Governance at any level in a Multi Academy Trust should have a focus on:
- Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction.
- Holding executive leaders to account for the educational performance of the organisation and its pupils, and the effective and efficient performance management of staff.
- Overseeing the financial performance of the organisation and making sure its money is well spent.
The Local Academy Committee has a strategic role to provide support and challenge to the operational management of the school by the Headteacher and represents the interests of the local community.
Governors at Old Stratford meet twice a term and use these meetings to oversee and monitor school improvement and financial health and providing constructive challenge to school leaders. Governors visit the school regularly to monitor school improvement and the progress that the school is making and to gain assurance that the school is fulfilling its key statutory duties.
Since the school is part of the Grand Union Partnership Multi Academy Trust, governor responsibilities are delegated to them by the Trust Board. Please use the link below to see the Scheme of Delegation the trust adopts:
Grand Union Partnership Multi Academy Trust Governance
All Trustee and Governor roles are voluntary, and we are very grateful for the significant commitment that all of the people involved make at every level of governance across the trust.
If you would like to find out more about any of these roles, we would be delighted to talk with you, please contact Karen Morris in the first instance.
Statutory information
- Old Stratford Primary School Constitution
- Old Stratford Register of Interests 2021-2022
- Old Stratford Register of Interests 2022-2023
- Old Stratford Register of Interests 2023-2024
Local Academy Committee meeting attendance registers:
Old Stratford governors, their roles and terms of office are shown below:
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Christopher Balderstone |
Chair |
01/09/2018 – 31/08/2026 |
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Former governor of a local primary and several multi-academy trust primary and secondary schools. Solicitor since 1988, with experience in leisure retail, house building and education sectors. Chris hopes to bring commercial and technical support to the governors and the school. |
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Mark Ashmore |
Vice Chair |
01/09/2018 – 31/08/2026 |
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Mark became involved as a governor because he has three children at Old Stratford and feels it is important to take part in their education in whatever way he can. He is an events manager for a wine company specialising in outdoor events, cultural, sporting and music. As a manager he brings his organisational, man management and operational experience to the governing body. |
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Louise Faraday |
Staff Governor |
28/09/2018 – 27/09/2026 |
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Louise has been a governor for three years, having worked in a number of schools, and feels she brings a number of different experiences to help move the school forward. Louise enjoys being involved in making policy decisions and implementing how they work in practice across the school. |
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Amelia Gander |
Parent Governor |
01/01/2023 – 31/12/2026 |
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Amelia Gander attended Old Stratford herself as a child and now has one child already attending the school and two younger children who will hopefully follow up. She has many years of teaching experience, and with a parent’s perspective she hopes to help make informed decisions. Amelia is looking forward to being able to help make a positive impact as part of the governing body. |
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Aditya (Adi) Gupta |
Parent Governor |
27/02/2020 – 26/02/2024 |
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Former governor of a middle school in Milton Keynes. Adi has worked in university, further, secondary and independent education sectors for the past twenty years. He specialises in Computer Science and information systems and leads a faculty in an independent school, while also managing the school Management Information Systems. As a professional in the education sector, Adi firmly believes in being forward-thinking and enabling all students to benefit from an excellent education. |
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Tom Hayward |
Trust Governor |
01/01/2022 – 31/12/2025 |
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As well as being an Old Stratford resident, Tom is a qualified teacher and has taught at New Bradwell School (also part of the Grand Union Partnership) for 7 years (2 in year 5 and 5 in year 2). Tom is a member of the Curriculum Group at New Bradwell and as part of this role he is actively involved in the monitoring and review of curriculum. Tom is looking forward to broadening his experience of education as a governor at Old Stratford. |
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Matthew Hoddinott |
Local Governor |
01/09/2018 – 31/08/2026 |
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Part of the governing body since Autumn 2016, Matthew is passionate about the excellent academic and social skills the children receive from Old Stratford Primary School. Matthew has one child at Old Stratford and became a governor to help ensure the continued journey towards becoming an outstanding all-encompassing education for the children. Matthew is the Managing Director of a small business consultancy dealing with environmental solutions in the roofing, paving and water management industries. |
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Karen Morris, Headteacher |
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Currently the Headteacher at Old Stratford Primary School, Karen has worked in a number of schools and has a huge passion for children's learning and encouraging children to be well rounded individuals. Being fresh from the classroom Karen believes she can help drive the school forward to an Outstanding Ofsted rating. She enjoys meeting with all stakeholders ensuring a collective vision for the school as well as clear robust policies. |
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Mariasole Paduas |
Trust Governor |
20/02/2023 – 19/02/2027 |
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Born in Italy, Maria moved to the UK in 2007 and has lived in Old Stratford for the past 11 years. She has two children currently at Old Stratford School. Maria is an HR leader with over 15 years’ experience in the fast-moving consumer goods sector, helping to define and implement strategy and development plans. With her broad HR experience, Maria brings her knowledge of recruitment, onboarding, training & development and wellbeing, and much more, to support the governing body. |
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