We joined the First Federation Trust on 1 July 2022. Our governing board is now the board of directors (aka trustees) of the First Federation Trust, with added oversight from the East Hub board. 

You can find more information about the governance of the Trust on their website here. 

Governing board before the school joined the First Federation Trust:

Barbara Southcott, Chair of IEB – currently chair of governors at Cerne Abbas CE First School. Five years ago, Barbara stepped in to support a small village school, at the request of the LA, to help the governors work through some challenging issues. Using her knowledge, experience and calming manner she took on the role of chair and steered the governing board through this difficult time ensuring they were confident and comfortable to continue without her before she left this board. Barbara has undertaken governor training at both local and national level to increase her knowledge, including chair of governor specific training.

Helen Keedy – chair of governors at Holy Trinity CE Primary School, Weymouth. In the role of chair Helen has led the governing body through challenging times that have taken the school from an Ofsted outcome of ‘Requires Improvement’ to one of ‘Good’. She has held the role of pupil premium governor, safeguarding governor and SEND governor during her time on the board. She has held the role of Local Leader of Governance, providing support to other boards in the south west.

Joanne Moss – chair of governors at Powerstock CE VA Primary School, Bridport. Joanne now serves as a foundation governor on this board but was previously elected as a parent governor. As well as serving as vice-chair and now chair of governors, Joanne has also served as chair of the finance committee.

Patrick Myers – chair of governors at Manor Park CE First School, Dorchester, having joined the board 6 years previously and served as vice-chair. Patrick was previously Assistant Director of Children’s Services at Dorset County Council and has a wealth of experience as a board member in different organisations.

Reverend Margaret Preuss-Higham – as well as being the local vicar, Margaret has also served as foundation governor on the Portesham CE VA Primary School board for the last 3 years. Margaret provides a strong link between the school, the church and the local community, as well as providing a pastoral presence.

Nigel Rees – is a member and chair of trustees on the Sherborne Area Schools Trust (SAST) board. He has been involved with The Gryphon School for many years and was fully involved in moving this school from a LA maintained school to an academy, and then establishing the multi-academy trust SAST, that he now chairs. Nigel has also been a National Leader of Governance for several years, supporting and advising governing boards across Dorset.