Local Governance

"Working together to achieve academic excellence and personal potential."

The Governing body's role is to support and challenge the senior leadership of Orchards Academy. The Governing body ensures that the school is continually reflecting on and improving its practice in order to create a learning environment in which all pupils can achieve the best possible outcomes. 

At Orchards Academy, the Governing body is made up of:
  • 1 Headteacher (Ex Officio)
  • 1 Staff Governor
  • 2 Parent Governors 
  • 5 Appointed Governors (currently 5 vacancies)
The Governing body derives its oversight responsibilities from the TKAT Scheme of Delegation. We operate a link Governor model where Governors with specific interests and skills can apply these through special oversight roles such as Pupil Premium and ACE. 

Governor Name

Governor Type

 

Date of Appointment

Term of Office

Responsibility

Attendance 24 - 25

Any Declarations of Business Interests

Hannah Carter

 

Ex Officio

01/06/2025

N/A

N/A

100%

None

Georgia Jaddoo

 

Appointed by LGB

22/09/22

22/09/22 to 21/09/26

Chair of Governors

Health and Safety

66%

None
Mark Walden Appointed by LGB 30/11/14 17/11/22 to 16/11/26

Vice Chair of Governors

Teaching and Learning

 100% Governor at KTC since July 2025

Carlos Hood

Appointed by LGB

01/09/10

01/09/22 to 31/08/26

Enrichment, Pupil Premium and ACE

100%

None

Phil Cooper

 

Appointed by LGB

01/09/08

14/11/24 to 13/11/28

Enrichment, Pupil Premium and ACE

100%

None

Sulinder Sudell

Appointed by LGB

14/11/24

14/11/24 to 13/11/28

Teaching and Learning

100%

None

Hannah Weeden

 

Staff - elected by staff

16/03/23

16/03/23 to 15/03/27

None

40%

Teacher at Orchards since July 2017

Kelle Akaa

 

Parent - elected by parents

09/05/24

09/05/24 to 08/05/28

Attendance

Reading

66%

None

Layla Richards

 

Parent - elected by parents

09/05/24

09/05/24 to 08/05/28

Safeguarding

Wellbeing/Mental Health

66%

None

Carol Thomas

 

Clerk to Governors

N/A

N/A

N/A

100%

Clerk at other TKAT schools – appt dates:

Cleeve Meadow: 2/19  

Cleeve Park: 9/16

Horizon: 9/15  

Kemnal: 2/16

Napier: 1/21  

Orchards: 2/16

Royal Park: 4/17  

Shenstone: 9/23

Thomas Bennett: 7/18  

Welling: 6/21

If you wish to contact Governors, please do so via the Head of Administration/ Headteacher's PA by emailing enquiries@orchards-tkat.org.

Orchards Academy provides a learning environment that opens up a world of opportunities and takes pupils on a journey to discover and challenge their thinking. As a governing body, we aspire to ignite a passion for lifelong learning; we do this through:
  • Developing great thinkers who embrace challenges
  • Promoting curiosity, enthusiasm and independence
  • Providing opportunities for all pupils to develop skills, knowledge and an understanding of how they can become life-long learners
  • Challenging and pursuing excellence through a creative and inclusive curriculum
  • Providing a learning environment where all can grow, achieve and aspire within a safe and caring atmosphere of teamwork, support and cooperation
  • Value everyone as an individual and encourage respect for others
  • Create confident, independent individuals who take responsibility for their actions and understand their role in our community and the world they share with everybody supporting the leadership of the school in providing a safe, stimulating and caring environment where all students can realise their full potential

The Governing body recognises and will harness the strengths and talents of all pupils to enable them to reach their full potential as rounded individuals. We will work with staff, parents, families and the local and broader community to ignite children's curiosity and encourage a love for learning.

 

Governor Name

Governor Type

 

Date of Appointment

Term of Office

Resignation Date

 Responsibilities

Attendance 24 - 25

Any Declarations of Business Interests

David Moss

 

Appointed

29/04/21

29/04/21 to 28/04/21

25/10/24

 Reading, Behaviour, Teaching and Learning

100%

I am employed at another TKAT establishment

I hold a Governorship at a TKAT Academy

Louise Walsh

 

Appointed

19/09/23

19/09/23 to 18/09/27

27/11/24

 Careers, Finance

100%

I hold a directorship, partnership and/or other employment with a business

Dick Brown

Appointed

01/09/22

01/09/22 to 31/08/26

31/08/25

 Safeguarding, Estates and Capital Projects

66%

None

Andy Lazenby

 

Ex Officio

01/09/2021

N/A

31/05/25

 No Governor responsibilities 

100%

I hold a Governorship at a TKAT Academy

TKAT Trustees

TKAT Governance

TKAT Documents (including Articles of Association and Accounts)

LGB Constitution

Impact Statement