Pupils at St Thomas's CE Primary School
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Governance

As per our Sycamore Church of England Multi-Academy Trust Articles of Association and Scheme of Delegation, each school within the Sycamore Church of England Multi-Academy Trust has its own Local Academy Committee (LAC), which must have a minimum of 2 parent partners in its membership.

The Local Academy Committee (LAC) is made up of Local Governors who support and challenge the school leadership, ensuring the school reflects the values and strategic direction of the Trust while meeting the needs of its local community.

Local Academy Committee's have powers and responsibility delegated to them by the Trust Board of Directors and from the Chief Executive Officer, so that those people closest to a school have the prerogative to work in partnership effectively.

We strongly believe that excellent schools have excellent leadership and management from within.

The Trust has a duty to ensure that it enables excellent leadership in each of our schools through empowerment and support.

The Sycamore Church of England Multi-Academy Trust Governance Handbook includes the terms of reference for Local Academy Committees and outlines the code of conduct for partners at all levels.

St Thomas's Local Academy Committee

Current Local Governors
Previous Local Governors
Name Type Appointed By Date of Appointment Term of Office Pecuniary Interests Resignation Date (if applicable)
Martin Van Hecke Executive Headteacher Ex-Officio 01/09/24 01/09/24  None N/A
Emma Butler Head of School Trustees 01/09/25 01/09/25 - 31/09/27 None N/A
Ummrana Farooq
(Vice Chair)
Community Trutees
Co-opted
01/09/24 01/09/24 - 07/02/27 None N/A
Caroline Haughton Staff Governors 01/09/24 01/09/24 - 31/08/27 None N/A
Morven Stroud Trutee Governor Trustees
Co-opted
01/09/24 01/09/24 - 31/08/27 Yes N/A
Sofia Khan Parent Parent Elected 01/09/24 01/09/24 - 14/05/27 None N/A
Nicola McCoy Staff Staff Elected 01/09/24 01/09/24 - 17/10/27 None N/A
Sohail Younus Co-opted Trustees
Co-opted
01/09/24 01/09/24 - 07/03/28 None N/A
Linda Binns Co-opted Trustees 09/06/25 09/06/25 - 08/06/29 None N/A
Caroline English-Mather Co-opted Trustees 09/06/25 09/06/25 - 08/06/29 None N/A

 

Name Type Appointed Board Term of Office Resignation Date Pecuniary Interests
Janet Lyssejko Foundation Trustees, Diocese 01.09.24 - 17.07.26 24.06.26 Yes

LAC Attendance at Meetings

Attendance 2025-2026

Name LAC 26/11/2025 LAC 18/03/2026 LAC 24/06/2026
Martin Van Hecke Present Present Present
Emma Butler Present Present Present
Janet Lyssejko (Chair) Present Present Present
Caroline Haughton Present Present Present
Nicola McCoy Present Present Present
Linda Binns Present Present Present
Caroline English-Mather Present Present Present
Ummrana Farooq (Vice Chair) Apologies Present Apologies
Morven Hudson Present Present Present
Sofia Khan Apologies Present Apologies
Sohail Younus Apologies Apologies Apologies