Our Trustees

Trustee Governance Statement 2025

The Trust Board at Selwood Academy plays a strategic role in the management and leadership of our school. There is a consistent strong focus on the three core features of school governance:

Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
Holding the Headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the performance of the staff
Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its allocation money is well spent.

Vision, Ethos and Strategic Direction

Trustees maintain the distinctly Christian ethos of our Anglican/Methodist school which is closely associated with the Diocese of Bath and Wells and the Methodist Council. Our core Christian values of Hope, Community, Wisdom and Joy underpin every decision that we make.

We are instrumental in holding the school vision of creating a safe, happy and enriching environment where all aspire to thrive, achieve and celebrate success together. We promote the dignity and wellbeing of every child and staff member and ensure they flourish in the course of their journey with us.

Selwood Academy has been operating successfully as a Single Academy Trust since 2011.Trustees are actively seeking to work with a family of schools known as a Multi-Academy Trust (MAT). We hope to find a suitable partner, to match our vision and ethos, within the next two years

The Trust is bound by our Articles of Association and funding agreement which can be found on the school website. The Trust has 5 appointed members. There are 8 Trustees on the Trust Board, with two committees, Quality of Education and Resources (audit and risk). The Trust Board meets 6 times a year.

The Academy maintains the profile of the school within the local community and offers taster days for prospective pupils in year 4, opening up the opportunity to try the school before joining in year 5. Every day is open day. Our school remains oversubscribed and a school of choice in this area.

Educational Performance

What impact has the Trust board of Selwood Academy made on the outcomes for pupils and the welfare of staff and pupils?

The Key priority is to Improve the progress pupils make through an exceptional quality of education.

Retention and Recruitment

Trustees appointed the Head teacher, Daniel Jeffries in January 2021, as an ethical Christian leader. Under his leadership the school has flourished. He has revised the curriculum intent and raised expectations across the whole school.

The Deputy Head teacher, Assistant Head, Pastoral manager and SENDCo have joined a skilled and diverse Senior Leadership Team.

Trustees support the retention and recruitment of a high-quality workforce within the Academy, which includes teachers, support staff and a business administration team. We appreciate that employees are our most precious resource and their well- being a priority consideration.

Performance Management

Trustees have a robust staff appraisal system in place to ensure a high-quality standard across the Academy. The Head Teacher’s Performance Management is undertaken by a panel of trustees, who are aided by an external advisor.

School Improvement

The Ofsted Report in 2022 rated the Academy as ‘Good’.

The SIAMS inspection in 2019 rated the Academy as ‘Outstanding’

Trustees are pleased that our school is now ranked among the top middle schools in the south west and is now in the top 10% nationally for Sat’s results according to the latest DFe league tables.

Behaviour, Attendance and Exclusions.

The Trust board supports and upholds high standards to maintain good discipline to ensure a high quality of learning experience and positive relationships. The Relationships for Learning Policy outlines expectations and consequences. The Compass Centre has proved effective in regulating behaviour without loss to curriculum time.

Attendance as of 21/01/25 is 94.29%.

Trustees are working towards a zero- exclusion school. Exclusions show a downward trend over the last two years.

Safeguarding

Trustees have a thorough oversight of a system that is effective and robust. The Academy undertakes Safer Recruitment and the Safeguarding Trustee ensures all systems are regularly monitored and checked with regular site visits and meetings with the DSL Safeguarding is a standing item at all of our meetings. The overall security of the school site is ensured by perimeter fencing, key entry and restricted access to specific parts of the building.

SEND

Following the last Ofsted Report SEND provision at the Academy continues to improve. SEND pupils attend lessons to access the whole curriculum along with their peers. All staff have access to training to enable them to meet the needs of SEND pupils as part of their CPD.

Financial Performance

What impact has the Trust Board made on the financial performance of the school?

Trustees were successful in achieving the creation of a 3-G pitch on the site in 2019, which benefits pupils and the wider football community. Our target is to continue to increase revenue by maximizing the use of the pitch as well as revenue from all other sustainable lettings of the school premises for community use.

Following ESFA guidance the Academy retains a revenue reserve. We also retain a sinking fund associated with the 3-G pitch.

Trustees monitor the school budget and cash flow, together with management of the premises at regular Resources meetings. Careful decision making and principles of best value continue to keep the Academy a going concern.

Pupil premium, sports premium and year 7 catchup funding are displayed on the school website. This funding is reviewed and evaluated at committee to ensure government grants are spent effectively.

Training

The Academy accesses training from National College, NGA. MAST and the Diocese of Bath & Wells to keep up to date with educational issues.

Academy Trust

If you are interested in joining the Academy Trust then please contact the school via the governance professional Mrs E Hardy

Email: Emma.Hardy@selwood-academy.co.uk

Clare Cardnell, Chair of Trustees, Selwood Academy

To contact the Trustees of Selwood Academy please email Emma Hardy, Clerk to Trustees Emma.Hardy@selwood-academy.co.uk

Click Portraits for more information.


Mrs Clare Cardnell Chair of Trustees	Mrs K Kirkwood Vice Chair of Trustees	Mr Paul Acres

Mrs Linda Puttock	Ms Abi Lyons	Mr Luke Snape

Mr Russell Morrison	Mr Garrod Musto