Local Governance at Unity Schools Partnership

According to the Department of Education, the three core functions of governance in a Multi Academy Trust are:

• Giving the school a clear vision, ethos and strategic direction
• Holding the Headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils
• Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.

Ultimate responsibility for these tasks is held by the central Board of Trustees but support from local governing bodies is vital in providing local representation and acting as the eyes and ears in each school community.  Local governors work alongside school staff, to support them in improving the outcomes and wellbeing of all the children in their schools. Feedback from each local board is reported to the Trust Board, and taken into account during decision-making.     

Local governors follow a Governance Charter, which is summarised here:

---

Scheme of Delegation

Please click here to view our Unity Schools Partnership Scheme of Delegation, which gives a more detailed breakdown of the role of a local governor.

---

Governance at Clements Primary Academy

The Chair of Clements Primary Academy Local Governing Body is Andrew Bell. They can be contacted by email via the school office.  

More information about all members of the governing body, including any relevant declarations of interest and attendance at meetings, can be found in the table below:

Name	Category of Governor	Term of office end*	Relevant business or pecuniary interests	Governance roles in other educational establishments	Relationship to school staff	Meeting attendance in 2024/25 (annual year)
Andrew Bell	C	5/6/28	None	None	None	4/5
Justine Dawkins	C	4/10/26	Louise Dawkins (family member) has a cleaning job at Clements Primary. Works as USP Trust Finance & Administration manager
Denise O’Brien	C	12/6/28	None	None	None	0/0
Becky Poynter	C	18/7/26	Westfield Primary Academy Chair of Governors West Suffolk Hospital Foundation Trust Public Governor Belchamp Consulting Services Governance Consultant (freelance) Schools’ Choice Governance Professional and Tutor Suffolk County Council Governance Support Partner Belchamp Walter Village Hall Trustee & Treasurer Confederation of School Trusts Governance Consultant.	None	None	5/5
Karen Sheargold	C	18/6/28	Family member employed at USP (Sir Peter Hall School).	None	None	0/0
Chris Komodromos	HT	N/A	Cabin Strategic Board in Cambridgeshire	None	None	4/5
Emma Archer	P	31/8/28	Compass Partnership (place of work Notley Green Primary)	Yes	None	5/5
Joanna McConville	P	11/11/25	Department for Education, School System and Academies Reform Directorate Employee   The Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals (full membership)	None	None	5/5
Matt Benson	S	31/8/28	None

Abbreviations

C: Community Governor, Trust appointed

P: Parent Governor, elected by parents

S: Staff Governor, elected by staff

HT: Headteacher

AY: Academic Year

* Please note: The duration of all terms of office is four years.

---

Past Governors

Information about governors who have stood down from the Governing Body over the past 12 months can be found here:

Name	Category of Governor	Term of office end	Relevant business or pecuniary interests	Governance roles in other educational establishments	Relationship to school staff	Meeting attendance in 2024/25 (annual year)

Our Governing Body

Chair of Governors: Mr Andrew Bell

The school governors are individuals representing the parents and public in important matters involving the school.  The governors, in co-operation with the headteacher, are concerned with the educational facilities, the maintenance of the school building, the appointment of staff, and the general administration of the school curriculum. The day-to-day details of teaching and management are the responsibility of the headteacher and the teaching staff.

Regular meetings are held which, coupled with frequent visits to the school, mean that the Governing Body is able to carry out their responsibilities. 

The Governing Body has decided not to have any committees.

---

Meet our Governors