Families In Partnership
Purpose:
The primary focus of the Families in Partnership model is to enhance the way the Trust communicates and engages with our school communities. We want parents, carers and members of the local community to be at the heart of or Trust.
Structure:
- Each school has its own ‘Families in Partnership group’ made up of the Trustees, the school Principal, elected parents, nominated parents and members of the local community.
- The elected parent representatives will attend three meetings a year where they will receive updates on developments at the Trust and priorities of the school while having the opportunity to provide feedback and ask any questions.
- All elected and nominated representatives will adhere to the Nolan Principles of Public Office and safeguarding requirements.
- Trustees may terminate the appointment of any LAB member (including staff and parent members) whose presence or conduct is deemed not to be in the best interests of the Trust or the school.
- We would also ask our elected parents to attend where possible key school events, such as Sports Days and Parents’ Evenings
- As well as elected parents, members will also include figures from the local community and invited parents who may have skills and experience which could benefit the school and wider Trust.
- The meetings will be open for all parents to attend as and when they wish.
- There will be three meetings a year, one every big term from September 2022.
- Agendas for each meeting will be circulated one week in advance by the Trust Governance Professional.
Membership:
- Any elected representative will serve a term of 4 years
- All elected and nominated representatives will adhere to the Nolan Principles of Public Office and safeguarding requirements.
- Trustees may terminate the appointment of any whose presence or conduct is deemed not to be in the best interests of the Trust or the school.
- A member may at any time resign their office by giving notice in writing to the Governance Professional of the Trust. The Principal will automatically cease to hold office if they cease to be associated with the Trust School in the capacity in which they were appointed or elected.
- The membership of nominated members will be reviewed annually in September.
Communication & Role
- All elected and nominated members will be able to access the Trust Governance Professional as required about any matter relating to the group.
- An overview of each meeting will be on each school Families in Partnership web page and will be included in the Principals Newsletter
- All elected and nominated parents will have a pen portrait on the school Families in Partnership webpage.
- Members will be expected to be a voice of our parents and community but not the voice of the parents or community
- Moreover, the group is not a place for parents or individuals to discuss their child or an individual child. The group will focus on the school as a whole.
Our next meeting is – Thursday 9th February at 7pm
Our Families in Partnership members:
Tracey Coles – Principal
Tracey has spent 15 years in education, holding a variety of roles from Year 6 teacher, Maths Lead, Assistant Principal with a responsibility for standards and Principal, prior to becoming an Executive Principal. She is currently studying for her NPQEL, and is a member of Challenge Partners Network where she is involved in Trust Peer Reviews and Quality Assurance of other academies and Trusts across the UK.
She is passionate about ensuring all pupils have access to exceptional learning and can attain to the best of their ability and uses her wide experience to ensure that the academies that she supports provide the opportunities and practice to enable the best offering for our Trust pupils.
Rita Baxi – Elected
Rita enjoys being involved in the Wootton community by helping out at local events organised by the Parish Council. Her children both attend Preston Hedges, and Rita already enjoys supporting the school with their events.
Rita has owned and operated her own Professional Services business from Wooton for the past 5 years and now employs a team of 5, working with dozens of businesses across the UK. Previously, Rita worked in the corporate world as Head of National Accounts Manager for both Western Union and Camelot
Ester Ihekweazu – Elected
Esther has two children at Preston Hedges. She is a Systems Engineer and she is passionate about Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths (STEM). She looks forward to using her skills to help support and contribute to the school and local community.
Alex Ingram – Elected
Alex has two children at Preston Hedges and works in the public sector. As a member of the PTA and a previous group leader in Girlguiding is passionate in helping children experience new things and develop self-confidence and belief in themselves. Alex is keen to be able to continue her support of the school and the children in their care.
Declarations of interest