Local Governance at Unity Schools Partnership
The UnitySP Trust Board, through the Articles of Association, has committed to Local Governing Bodies to work in partnership with the Executive and Leadership Teams to fulfil the three core responsibilities of Governance.
These are:
- Holding the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils;
- Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;
- Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.
We have married these to our Governance Charter and our Scheme of Delegation. These documents, together with the USP Handbook for Local Governance, clearly set out the role and responsibilities of our Local Governing Bodies (LGBs). You can access these documents from the links below or directly from the Unity Schools Partnership website.
Our Governing Body
The school governors at Place Farm Primary Academy are local people 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.
Governors and trustees are one of the largest volunteer forces in the country and have an important part to play in raising school standards. The role of the governing board is absolutely key to the effectiveness of a school. Time and time again Ofsted (the national inspection body for schools) has noted that the most effective schools demonstrate effective leadership and management – including by the governing board.
Regular meetings are held, which coupled with frequent visits to the school, mean that the Governing Body is able to carry out their growing responsibilities. A range of Working Parties and Committees operate to enable the governors to contribute to the administration of the school and support the teachers in their work.
Meet Our Governors
| First Appointed | Term End | |
| Parent governors | ||
| Lauren Cadwallader | 26 June 2021 | 25 June 2025 |
| Hannah Wild | 5 January 2023 | 4 January 2027 |
| Community governors | ||
| Justine Dawkins – Vice Chair | 14 July 2022 | 13 July 2026 |
| Sue Kehr – Chair of Governors | 8 October 2020 | 7 October 2024 |
| Lauren Meadows | 10 October 2022 | October 2026 |
| Nigel Roberts | 24 April 2017 | 23 April 2025 |
| Executive Headteacher and Heads of School | ||
| Jane Sendall (Executive Head) | 29 November 2022 | |
| Lisa McConnell (Head of School – Place Farm) | 29 November 2022 | |
| Tom Wade (Head of School – Coupals) | 29 November 2022 | |
| Staff Governors | ||
| Claire Grant | 6 December 2022 | 12 February 2028 |
Information about our Governing Body is also available from the Government Website Get Information About Schools.
Contact Our Chair of Governors
Our Chair of Governors, Mrs Sue Kehr, can be contacted either by email chairofgovernors@coupalsacademy.co.uk or via the School Office.
Unity Schools Partnership
We are proud to be part of the Unity Schools Partnership.
The Unity Schools Partnership is a partnership of schools located on the Suffolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire borders. We share the same values, face similar issues and are geographically close enough to support and challenge each other.
Unity Schools Partnership is a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in England and Wales with company number 07400386.
The registered office is at Unity Schools Partnership, Park Road, Haverhill, Suffolk, CB9 7YD.
For funding agreements, articles, accounts, and other detailed governance arrangements please click on the link below.