Your Governors
The Eden Federation Local Governing Body:
St Peter’s Church of England Primary Academy, Easton, Hockering Church of England Primary Academy, Great Witchingham Church of England Primary Academy & Cawston Primary Academy
The Eden Federation is a member of the Diocese of Norwich Education and Academies Trust (DNEAT) and has one Local Governing Body that serves the three schools. All the Governors are volunteers who are committed to ensuring that all the schools provide the best education possible for the pupils in line with the agreed aims.
We contribute to the strategic leadership of the schools by working closely with the Executive Head teacher and the Senior Management Team. We support and challenge the staff in a number of ways, however it is not our role to be involved with the day to day management of the schools.
Our main responsibilities are
- Ensuring clarity of the vision, ethos and strategic direction of the Federation
- Holding the Headteacher to account for the educational performance of the Federation and its pupils
- Overseeing the financial performance of the Federation and making sure its money is well spent
The full governing body meet at least six times a year but most governors sit on at least one of the three committees and all the committees meet at least once a term. The committees are:-
The Standards and Curriculum Committee
This is a very busy committee which meets three times a year and monitors the provision of the curriculum by talking to staff, subject leaders and pupils and visiting the classrooms to see examples of the work the children are doing. They receive reports from school staff about successes and challenges connected with the delivery of specific areas of the curriculum. They also agree and review the schools’ policies to ensure they are kept in line with current requirements. The committee holds at least one meeting in each of the three schools during the year and complete regular monitoring visits across all three schools.
The Ethos and Community Committee
This committee is made up of members of the governing body who represent the schools’ very close links with the Church of England. They receive reports and conduct a dialogue with pupils drawn from all three schools and are responsible for reviewing the policies on the teaching of Religious Education and Collective Worship.
The Resources Committee
This committee is responsible for approving the Federation budget and for reviewing its progress throughout the year. The Federation finance officer attends these meetings and the schools’ finances are looked at in detail every term.
This committee also deals with all areas of safety for the pupils and staff connected with the premises and grounds of each school, and a working party meet every term with a specific Health and Safety focus.
All Committees have delegated powers and they report back to the full governing body after each of their meetings.
The Governors work very hard to support all areas of the life of the three schools. They continuously evaluate the work of the schools helped by reports from the Executive Head Teacher and other members of the Senior Management team.
Contacting the Governors
The Chair of Governors, Rev Andrew Whitehead, can be contacted through Cawston Primary Academy Office: Chair of Governors, Cawston Primary Academy, Aylsham Road, Cawston, Norwich NR10 4AY, 01603 871249 or office@cawstonprimary.dneat.org
Interested in becoming a Governor?
The Diocese of Norwich Multi Academy Trusts (DNEAT and St Benet’s MAT) have exciting volunteer opportunities for new governors from the local community.
Being a local governor for an academy in our Multi Academy Trusts is a valuable and fulfilling role.
As a governor you will be able to:
- use your own experience of education and life beyond school to inform conversations
- develop and utilise your skills in a board-level environment
- make a valuable contribution to education and your community
- support and challenge the school so that it improves for pupils and staff
- bring your unique experiences, perspectives and insights to decision-making in the interests of the school community
We welcome applications from individuals of all faiths and none, of all ages and levels of experience and from all backgrounds. Knowledge of education and the education system or board experience are not necessary – your skills, attitude and commitment are more valuable. Our Governors are asked to agree to uphold the Christian ethos of the Multi Academy Trust.
More details can be found online here Volunteer Governor Opportunities – The Diocese of Norwich Multi Academy Trusts – DNEAT
We attach a link to our Governance Recruitment Pack. You will find the application form within the Recruitment Pack.
Please return all completed application forms to Hannah Monk, Head of Governance at hannah.monk@donesc.org
Find out more about the Governors of the Trinity Federation Academies
View or Download:
Governor interests | List of governors Eden Federation | Governor attendance Eden Federation |
Scheme of Delegation
Mary Blathwayt (Co-Chair)
I have been a governor since 1983, first for St Peter’s Primary School, Easton and I then became a Federation governor as soon as the Federation was formed. I wad Chair of Governors for a number of years and have seen the three schools improve to achieve either outstanding or good grades from Ofsted. In June 2013 I was honoured to receive an award from Norfolk County Council for making an outstanding contribution to Governance.
I was a Special Needs Teacher for about 20 years in mainstream schools, teaching children and young people from four to sixteen in rural and city schools. I passionately believe in the importance of a good education for children whatever their ability and have been privileged to be involved in some way with the education of hundreds of children. I am very proud of what we have achieved in the formation and development of the Trinity Federation and it has been at times stressful but also hugely rewarding.
Rev. Andrew Whitehead (Co-Chair)
Vicky Hurst (Vice Chair)
I am a trust governor and have been a governor of the Federation since September 2014. I hold a particular interest and role in Special Needs and Health and Safety within the Governing body. Living in Weston Longville and working just a few miles away I have close links to the community. As a mother to three girls, with the eldest two attending Great Witchingham Church of England Primary Academy, the Federation plays an important part in our lives and I see the outcome of learning and strong Christian morals the teaching and management provides first hand in my children. I feel strongly that Education is so important for children
to give them a balanced and strong start to life and am so happy to be involved with the schools in the role of Governor.
I have a science background by education and currently work in the field of compliance. Therefore I bring to the governing body experience in reporting and monitoring, legislation interpretation, analysis skills and the ability to question.
Ginnie Stevens (Vice Chair)
In April 2017 I joined the Trinity Federation and this is my first experience of the Governor role.
Until my retirement in October 2015 I worked for 27 years in the National Health Service in the department of Human Resources. Throughout my career in the NHS I was fortunate to work alongside dedicated, inspiring, challenging and talented colleagues working collaboratively to provide patients with the best health care.
I believe all children should have access to a good education and I hope I can contribute in some way to making this possible in my role as Governor.
Jonathan Gray
I am a parent governor representing Hockering primary school. As a qualified Chartered Certified Accountant and audit manager, I believe I can add value to the Local Governing Board and Resources committee. This is my first appointment as a governor.
As a father of two living in Hockering, the education of my children is of utmost importance, and I relish the opportunity to play a role in shaping that for them and others. I firmly believe the school acts as a keystone within our small village and I am grateful for any opportunity to support our community.
Rebecca Newman (Executive Headteacher)
I have worked within schools in this Federation since 1997, first as a class teacher and then as Deputy Headteacher, before becoming Executive Headteacher in April 2016. I have been on the journey of with all the schools through partnership, Federation and latterly academisation. I consider myself very fortunate to work in our Federation where the staff and governors show utter commitment to achieving the best outcomes for all our children.
In my spare time I take part in a lot of music in and around Norwich either singing or playing percussion.
Liz Plater
I am delighted to have been appointed a Governor of The Eden Federation and look forward to working with the schools and their wider communities. I have lived in the local area for nearly 25 years and have been excited by the changes and developments within the schools making the Federation the great success it is today.
I have just retired from teaching. I started teaching in Bristol and moved to Norwich 30 years ago. Since then I have taught in many Norfolk High Schools along with raising my own family. For the past 17 years I have been Deputy Head and then Head Teacher of a local High School before spending last year back in the classroom teaching my subject, Geography. Working with young people has always been my greatest pleasure and privilege doing everything I can to ensure all are able to enjoy and value a broad education. I still work with teenagers involved in The Duke of Edinburgh Award and, in my spare time, enjoy walking, fitness and distance running along with being an active member of the local Anglican Church.
Deborah Boldero
I have been associated with Cawston Primary since 1988, as a parent and then staff member, until 2014 when I retired after teaching there for 17 years. I joined the Governing Board as Assistant Head in 2009 and continued as a Trust governor after retiring. I was part of the transition to a DNEAT Academy and most recently to becoming an integral part of the new Eden Federation of schools. I am also a Governor at Reepham High School & College and a Director of Synergy MAT. My passion for education has led me to be a volunteer at Norwich Cathedral in the School & Family Learning Department where I teach visiting classes from KS1 through to International students.
Sharon Brett
I am Head of School at Cawston CE Primary and their staff governor. I have been at the school in various roles for fifteen years and a governor for six. I am the Sustainability Champion across the Eden Federation, as have been an Eco Ambassador at Cawston for a decade getting and maintaining our Green Flag Status. Through this work I have involved many children, parents and governors in making our school as GREEN as possible through Collective Worship and campaigns. My passion for this stems from my science background and general love of nature.
Mandy Cameron-Heffer
I have been a Governor for the past 20 years, starting as a Parent Governor when my children were at Cawston Primary. I then became a Staff Governor when working as the School Secretary and then a Trust Governor and Federation Governor. I retired in August 2023 and am looking forward to having more time to develop my role as a Governor and to really getting to know all the schools in the Federation. I have a particular interest in Mathematics and History. I am an active member of St Agnes Church in Cawston and enjoy being a member of the Ethos Committee.
Alan Fairchild
Alan has been a DNEAT Appointed Governor at Cawston Primary Academy now part of the Eden Federation since 2016. With his wife Lyn he has lived in Cawston for 50 years his daughter Anne having attending Cawston Primary and later Reepham High School.
As a former Town Clerk and Finance Officer for over 35 years before retirement I had responsibility for managing community buildings, sports facilities and playing fields in a highly populated area served by six schools on the fringe of Norwich so was keen to ensure Cawston and now the other Eden Federation academy schools are maintained and equipped to as high a standard as possible. Having lived in the same home close to Cawston school Lyn and me have got to know many parents and children. Down the years I have been impressed by the quality of teaching delivered throughout the school and the personal and social skills students have developed by the time they leave to start secondary education.
Fiona Flavell
I have worked for the Federation for over 8 years. I am passionate about providing our children with the best possible education so that each individual reaches their true potential. I have worked across all year groups and worked in three of the four school in our federation. I am currently Head of School at St Peter’s Primary Academy. I thoroughly enjoying my role as Staff Governor as I feel it provides me with further opportunities to work alongside staff, families and our community to ensure our pupils receive an enriching and inspiring curriculum.
Grace Macdonald
I joined as a trust governor in 2022 because I am passionate about ensuring all children, regardless of their background or needs, receive a good education. As a deaf child who struggled at school initially I know first hand how important that is. I am part of the local community, living in Cawston, where my child also attends the school there. As a registered social worker I have supported adults with a range of needs including adults living with dementia, physical disabilities, and learning disabilities. I currently work in compliance within the social care sector.