Governance Information

EAST Statutory and Governance Documents Please find a link to statutory and governance documents (including annual accounts) HERE

The Local Governing Body

The Trust

Avocet Academy Trust was founded in 2014 with the shared belief that collaboration is the key to success. This belief is adopted at all levels throughout each of the Academy schools. In November 2023 we joined East Anglian Schools Trust who share our belief and vision.

Our vision centres on the child. The way we ensure everything centres on the child is through our core values:

Collaboration
Diversity
Responsibility
Enrichment
Inclusion

We believe that this enables children to excel in whatever they do.

EAST MAT is based on a set of values that determine all actions and decisions made throughout the Trust. All of these values are centered around the children to ensure that they have the perfect platform from which to grow.

With all decisions and actions based around these core values we are able to deliver an education which takes into account the needs of the different pupils, schools and communities in which they serve.

The Local Governing Body

Each school within the Academy has a Governing Body..

The Trust Board has established five key roles for Governing bodies:

To advise/act as a critical friend to the school leader;
To advise the Trust Board about local issues they need to consider that affect the school;
Represent the interest of the school community in the running of the school;
Represent the school in it's community;
Provide support to the school leader in undertaking appropriate day to day procedures that are essential in the life of the school.

The five roles translate specifically into the following tasks that the LGB undertakes:

it acts as a key link between the school, parents and local community;
it supports the work of the school in the community;
it supports the school leadership team in the development and implementation of the school development plan and other relevant plans, ensuring that the Trust ethos remains at the heart of the school community;
it helps on the ground with the implementation of certain whole Academy and school policies;
it offers challenging by positive and proactive support to the school leader;
it regularly reviews the schools performance in relation to the Key Performance Indicators.

Please find a link to statutory and governance documents (including annual accounts) HERE

If you would like more information about EAST and it's members please follow this link here

For more information about the role of school governors and trustees, please follow this link.

Members of Wickham Market's Local Governing Body

Joanne Ashburn Position and Responsibilities: Chair of Governors (Parent Governor) Brief Biography: Jo was voted the Chair of Governors in October 2023 and currently has a son at the school. She brings 20 plus years of experience as a children’s sports coach and children’s ski school manager. Working in a variety of resorts in New Zealand and USA, she has returned home to Suffolk. She is passionate about a varied curriculum to motivate learning and plenty of physical activity opportunities.
Mandy Garland Position and Responsibilities: Staff Governor Brief Biography: As staff Governor I represent the dedicated team of teachers and support staff that work at Wickham Market Primary School. I have worked at our school in various roles from Teaching Assistant to my current position as Family Welfare Practitioner since 1998. Prior to this I trained and worked at the Ipswich Hospital as a staff nurse within the Gynaecology unit before leaving when my son was born and thereafter my daughter. Working closely with and supporting our families, in addition to my position as subject leader for Relationships, Sex and Health Education enables me to fulfil my commitment to promoting and supporting the emotional and physical wellbeing of each child within our setting.
Louise Ireland Position and Responsibilities: Parent Governor Brief Biography: I have two boys currently at Wickham Market Primary school. This is my first experience of being part of a Local Advisory Board. I am keen to bring my knowledge to the team of governors to see if I can help make a difference to the school. It’s really important to me that all children enjoy their time at school and are presented with lots of different learning opportunities.

Carey Cooke Position and Responsibilities: Community/Co-Opted Governor Brief Biography: We have lived in Suffolk since 1981 moving from Westleton to Wickham Market with our now adult children in 1994. As a retired Secondary School English teacher and member of the school's Reading Army, I have a particular interest in reading.
Nina Crisp Position and Responsibilities: Parent Governor Brief Biography: With over 20 years of marketing experience, I’m eager to use my skills to help promote the school and attract new families, ensuring it continues to thrive. Both of my children attend Wickham Market Primary, and I am committed to help foster a positive, enriching environment where all children can flourish both academically and personally, while enjoying their time at school.
Barbara Harrington Position and Responsibilities: Community/Co-Opted Governor Brief Biography: I have worked as a librarian and teacher in Leicestershire and Devon and have been a governor in another authority. I am now retired. Having recently moved to Wickham Market, I wanted to get involved with the local community, so my first stop was the school. I started as a volunteer reader and was appointed as a governor one year ago. I really enjoy playing a small part in school, giving back something to the community and working alongside our children and teachers. I am very keen to achieve the best possible education for all our young people.