What the Governing Body Does

We are an Academy Trust school, with the Orchard Learning Alliance (OLA).

The OLA Board, made up of Members and Trustees, is an integral part of our organisation, holding the Executive Team to account and ensuring best practice in terms of compliance and governance.

The South Lake Local Governing Body plays a critical role within the school. Whilst the Headteacher is responsible for the day-to-day running of the school, it is up to the governors to take on responsibility for the strategic, or long-term, direction of the school.  No member of the Governing Body has power as an individual; decisions are taken as a body.

At South Lake, the Governing Body is made up of volunteers drawn from the "stakeholders" of the school, including parents, staff and members of the local community. Each has an equal say in matters regarding the school.

The Local Governing Body meets half-termly; six times per year. The Governors operate under a 'flat structure' where all governors attend those meetings.

The Grievance Committee, Complaints Committee and Discipline Committee meet if required

Local Governing Board

Mr Stephen Vegh -  Chair

Term of office: 4 years

Date of appointment: 01/04/24

Appointed Chair October 2024

Appointing body: Co-opted by GB

Register of interests: Teacher at Virtual School for Looked-after children in Bracknell. Chair of Wokingham SACRE*.

Voting rights: Yes

SEND and CLA governor

Mrs Elizabeth Rowland - Vice Chair

Term of office: 4 years

Date of appointment: 01/04/24

Appointing body: Local Authority

Register of interests: Local Councillor for Wokingham. . Vice-Chair of Wokingham SACRE*. Trustee of Orchard Learning Alliance

Voting rights: Yes

SEND and safeguarding governor.

Mrs Antoinette Butler-Willis - Headteacher

Term of office- duration of appointment

Date of appointment: 01/04/24

Appointing body: GB (Ex-officio by appointment)**

Register of interests: Headteacher of South Lake School

Voting rights: Yes

Mrs Claire Ward

Term of office: 4 years

Date of appointment:01/04/24

Appointing body: Co-opted by GB

Register of interests: Teacher at Waingels College. 

Voting rights: Yes

Personal development governor.

Mrs Andrea Gielow

Term of office: 4 years

Date of appointment: 01/04/24

Appointing body: Parents

Register of interests: Parent of two pupils.

Voting rights: Yes

From November 2024 - EYFS governor.

Mrs Sarah Noye 

Term of office: 4 years

Date of appointment: 01/04/24

Appointing body: Parents

Register of interests: Parent of a pupil. Member of Campbell Rd Residents group. Employed by The Bulmershe Secondary School.

Voting rights: Yes

Standards and behaviour governor

Mrs Victoria Thorpe – Staff governor

Term of office: 4 years

Date of appointment: 01/04/24

Appointing body: Staff

Register of interests: Member of school staff.

Voting rights: Yes 

Mrs Carol Jewell

Term of office: 4 years

Date of appointment: 01/04/24

Appointing body: co-opted by GB

From November 2024 - EYFS governor.

Voting rights: Yes

Rev Jackie Case

Term of office: 4 years

Date of appointment: 13.12.23

Resigned 1/10/24

Appointing body: co-opted by GB

Voting rights: Yes

Vacancy: Parent governor. Elections will take place in the Spring term 2025

Name: Mrs Claire Holding 

Term of office: NOW ENDED

Date of appointment: 01/02/19

Appointing body: Staff

Register of interests: Parent of one pupil. Member of school staff.

Voting rights: Yes - now ended

Name: Mr Steve Outen 

Term of office: 4 years - now ended 31.07.23

Date of appointment: October 2022

Appointing body:Co-opted by GB

Register of interests: Grandparent of two pupils. 

Voting rights: Yes

Name: Ms Suzanne Higginson 

Term of office  NOW ENDED

Date of appointment:  1.10.12 – 29.9.17

Appointing body: Parents

Register of interests: Parent of 2 pupils

Attendance record: 6 of 8 meetings – 75%

Voting rights: yes- now ended

Name: Ms Kirsten Foster

Term of office NOW ENDED

Date of appointment: 1.9.15 – 26.9.17

Appointing body: Co-opted by GB

Register of interests: Governor at Willow Bank Infants. Business Manager at Walter Infants.

Attendance record: 6 of 8 meetings – 75%

Voting rights: Yes- now ended

Name: Reverend Martyn Neads – Vice Chair

Term of office: NOW ENDED

Date of appointment: 1.9.15

Appointing body:  co-opted by GB

Register of interests: Minister at Christ Church, Woodley, with links to RE Inspire

Attendance record: 9 of 10 meetings – 90%

Voting rights: Yes - now ended

Name: Mrs Deborah Hegarty

Term of office: NOW ENDED

Date of appointment

Appointing body : co-opted by GB

Register of interests: Parent of pupil. Governor at Bulmershe Secondary School, employed by Capita Insurance services,

Attendance record: 8 of 10 meetings – 80%

Voting rights: Yes - now ended

Name: Mr Daniel Barnard – staff governor

Term of office: NOW ENDED

Date of appointment: 1.9.15 - 24.07.18

Appointing body: Elected by staff

Register of interests: Deputy Headteacher of South Lake School.

Attendance record: 7 of 10 meetings – 70%

Voting rights: Yes - now ended

Name: Mr Jermaine Smith - Parent governor

Term of office: NOW ENDED

Date of appointment: 4.10.17 - 21

Appointing body: Parents

Register of interests: Parent of two pupils. Employed by West Berks Social Care.

Voting rights: Yes - now ended