The White Horse Federation (TWHF) was founded with the aim of improving life chances and raising the aspirations of young people. To achieve these goals, the Trust believes in the power of a first-rate quality of education through a broad and balanced curriculum: such an education is the best foundation for helping young people to succeed and overcome social barriers, irrespective of their backgrounds or starting points.

TWHF currently comprises 31 schools, making it the largest education provider in the South West. Its five secondary schools, 24 primary schools and two special schools serve a range of urban and rural communities across Swindon, Wiltshire, Oxfordshire and Reading.

The Trust has gained national recognition and has been designated an Associate College for the National Institute of Teaching and a DfE Attendance Hub. The Trust delivers the highest quality of Initial Teacher Training alongside teacher and leader development across the region. Its schools benefit from this by having access to a stream of well-qualified and expertly trained teachers, middle leaders and senior leaders.

Working in communities that are often materially and socially deprived, TWHF seeks to provide a first-rate education and to raise ambitions at all of its schools. It believes in replicating in the state sector what is most often found in the independent sector - ensuring that students receive the quality of education and access to the same sorts of opportunities their peers whose parents can pay for education receive.

TWHF's aim is for our students to leave its schools ready to take their place in the world - well-educated, motivated and with strong leadership skills, personally accomplished and determined to make a positive and lasting contribution to the world. The Trust firmly believes that a child’s background should not be a barrier to success and it is committed to delivering an education that broadens students’ horizons in a truly transformative way.

The White Horse Federation’s Trust Board seeks to appoint Local Governing Body Chairs to three of its schools. This is an exciting opportunity to share your expertise, drive change and realise the Trust’s ambition for its schools to become excellent schools for their local communities. 

• Melksham Oak Community School (Wiltshire) is an inclusive, coeducational secondary school and sixth form where children of all abilities, aptitudes and social backgrounds are nurtured, encouraged and challenged to achieve their best
• St Mary and All Saints is a Primary School (Reading) with a Church of England foundation serving a richly diverse community. As such its core Christian values are grounded in its beliefs about children and inspired by the teachings of the Bible
• Gorse Hill School (Swindon) is a diverse community primary school and nursery which believes in the unlimited potential of every child. The school aims to help its children to develop as individuals who take care of themselves, others and the world they live in, secure in knowing who they are and what they want from life

In the context of a multi-academy trust, the performance of every individual school is ultimately the responsibility of the Trust Board. The Board discharges this responsibility, primarily, through the function of the Chief Executive Officer and his Executive Leadership Team, who themselves are responsible (to the Board) for the performance of the school leadership.

This is reinforced by the work of Local Governing Bodies, which are formal sub-committees of the Board, and have a brief to review and challenge performance at the working level in each school, independently of Trust management.

The role of the Local Governing Body is to:

• Carry the Trust’s vision, values, policies and priorities forward
• Provide independent challenge to the school leadership, primarily in respect of pupil performance, the quality of the school experience and execution of the school improvement plan
• Formally feedback to the Board, independently of school management, on standards of leadership and delivery of the outcomes targeted by the Trust in its Strategic Plan and the school in its Improvement Plan, highlighting strengths, weaknesses, opportunities for improvement and risks observed at working level in the schools
• Work in partnership with the Trust and school leadership to ensure an active, high-quality effective program of stakeholder and community engagement is delivered

The White Horse Federation is seeking new Local Governing Body Chairs for Melksham Oak Community School (Wiltshire), St Mary & All Saints Primary School (Reading), and Gorse Hill School (Swindon).

Ideal candidates will bring strategic-level experience, gained in any sector, alongside a passion for their local community, and a belief in the importance of education in improving the life chances and raising the aspirations of young people. The role of Local Governing Body Chair would suit someone who understands the difference between governance and management and has the interpersonal skills and confidence required to lead the LGB. The White Horse Federation welcomes applications from first-time Board members. Whilst an understanding of the education sector would be beneficial, it is not a requirement for the role.

Most importantly, all applicants must feel a connection with the specific mission, vision and values of the White Horse Federation.

As the Local Governing Bodies are sub-committees of the Trust Board, all appointments shall be made by the Board in accordance with the following provisions:

The total membership shall be not less than 6, comprising:

• The Headteacher
• Two parent representatives
• Two staff representatives
• Two community representatives
• Foundation representatives (only in the context of Church schools)

Establishing Local Governing Bodies with a diverse range of suitably capable people is a priority.

On the recommendation of the Nominations Committee, the Local Governing Body Chairs will be appointed by the Trust Board.

Governors normally serve for a four-year term.

Members of the Local Governing Body are linked to key roles within the school and typically conduct three link role visits a year. The Local Governing Body meets four times a year with further meetings at the discretion of the Chair with the agreement of the Local Governing Body, with meetings expected to take place at the school.

The Chair and Headteacher meet regularly during the year outside Local Governing Body meetings. The Chair of the Local Governing Body may be required to sit on Exclusion and Complaint Panels.

Alongside the annual Governance Conference, the Trust provides a comprehensive programme of induction and training to build on new Governor’s existing skills and knowledge. Governors support and influence the future development of the Trust, and therefore have a significant impact on the Trust’s students, staff and regional Communities.

There are many other opportunities for Governors to engage with and support, school life: including attending graduation ceremonies, Headteacher ‘Live Stream’ events, annual review days, school events/lectures/functions and visits, tours of the campuses and much more.

As LGB Chairs are expected to be involved in the school community, candidates will be local to either Wiltshire, Reading, or Swindon.