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
Governance at County High School
The Chair of County High School Local Governing Body is Darren Aitchison. 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) |
| Darren Aitchison | C | 30/01/28 | – Felixstowe Town Council (Councillor) – Felixstowe Relief Charity (Chairman) – Felixstowe Helping Hands (Founder) – Friends of Felixstowe Community Hospital (Trustee) – Level Two Youth Project (Trustee) – Felixstowe Society (Committee Member) | None | None | 6/6 |
| Stuart Mason | C | 31/08/27 | Langer Primary Academy (Governor) | Yes | None | 3/6 |
| Keith Rimmer | C | 30/01/28 | Fairfield and Colneis Primary Schools (Employee/Staff Governor) | Yes | None | 6/6 |
| Rosie Smithson | C | 09/07/26 | Level 2 Youth Project (Trustee) | None | None | 4/6 |
| Emma Wilson-Downes | HT | N/A | Hadleigh High School (Governor) | Yes | None | 6/6 |
| Kerstin Chinery | P | 06/02/29 | Pushchair Pitstop (Volunteer) | None | None | 3/6 |
| Jo Thrower | P | 07/07/28 | Parent of child at Felixstowe School | None | None | 6/6 |
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) |
| Emma Norton | S | 10/02/25 | None | None | None | 1/3 |
| Charlotte Flynn | P | 07/02/25 | None | None | None | 2/3 |
| Rebecca Waller | P | 23/09/24 | None | None | None | 1/1 |
| Susan Leon | C | 24/09/25 | None | None | None | 4/6 |
| Leigh Doyle | S | 24/09/25 | None | None | None | 1/4 |