In our Trust, we encourage our Governors to uphold the six key features of effective governances as detailed within the DfE’s Governance Handbook:

• Strategic leadership that sets and champions vision, ethos and strategy.

• Accountability that drives up educational standards and financial performance.

• People with the right skills, experience, qualities and capacity.

• Structures that reinforce clearly defined roles and responsibilities.

• Compliance with statutory and contractual requirements.

• Evaluation to monitor and improve the quality and impact of governance.

Our Scheme of Delegation explains clearly what Governors are responsible for in our Trust. 

The Scheme of Delegation sets out the delegated powers between the different bodies involved in the governance and operation of the Multi Academy Trust (MAT) and member schools.

The bodies may include:
1. MAT Members**
2. MAT Board of Directors
3. MAT Finance Committee
4. MAT Audit and Risk Committee
5. MAT HR Committee
6. MAT Education and Standards Committee
7. CEO
8. Local Governing Body
9. Leadership group of Headteachers
10. Headteachers of individual schools

The delegated powers are broken down into different levels in line with the MAT’s principles of governance,leadership and operation. The delegated autonomy for individual schools is aligned with the need for the MAT to fulfil its corporate responsibilities and accountabilities to the Department for Education, Education Funding Agency, Charities Commission, HMRC and Companies House.

Alistair Smith - Chair of Governors

I was born in Yorkshire and studied law at university in Newcastle before beginning a career in the media and PR after studying for a Masters in journalism. I have worked in local authorities around the UK including Newcastle, Cannock and Hackney where I ran the media and campaigns team. I have also worked in music and higher education at Northumbria University. As a consultant and speaker I have advised the governments of Ukraine, Georgia, China and Vietnam as well as the Northern Ireland Assembly on digital communication.

I also wrote and delivered courses for civil servants around the UK on digital PR and crisis communications - in tandem with this role I ran training exercises for blue chip companies around the world. I am currently working for BBC Studios where I am the global PR lead for children’s animation Bluey and heads up publicity for children’s brands in the UK and EMEA.

I am passionate about education and was raised in a family of teachers. I am also an advocate for equality and sat on the BBC’s trainee recruitment panel - set up to offer a route into PR for those who may not traditionally have access to roles at the BBC. I am also a member of the BBC’s LGBTQ+ Ally network.

Hayley Beasley- Staff Governor 

I'm an artistic, creative mother of Three. I have a wide range of interests and hobbies such as reading, astrology and Disney just to name a few.
I have seen Two of my Three boys start at Limes Farm Infants in Nursery and watched them through blurred teary eyes leave at the end of year 2.
Having a SEND child start the school I was so worried how he would cope and also how the school would cope. I couldn't have wished for a better outcome. Both me and my son felt supported and he left year 2 a very happy and confident little boy ready for junior school.
I have become passionate about being on the governing board at Limes Farm school, watching and helping them be the best school they can possibly be.

Sami Taylor- Headteacher

Please see home page for the Headteacher Bio

Jonathon Glynn- Trust Governor

I am an alumnus of both Limes Farm Infants and Junior School.

I am a member of the Association of Accounting Technicians and Institute of Certified Bookkeepers.

I have worked in both private Chartered Accountants firms and accounts departments of Limited Companies, with a million-pound turnover. I am currently employed as the Assistant Financial Officer at Loughton Town Council.

I am involved in a voluntary capacity as a Trustee to a charity, Essex Cornerstone Foundation (Charity Number 1196354), Financial Director of the Loughton Masonic Company, and as Treasurer/Secretary to two Cricket based organisations.

As a Governor as I believe it is important to bring experiences to the benefit of the local community.

I am passionate that children are given every opportunity in their early years to thrive and set them on a path to being well rounded and educated individuals. Infant schools are a vital factor to enable this, and I believe I can assist in helping Limes Farm Infants School be part of this journey for its pupils.

Louise Reid- Parent Governor 

I  have lived in Chigwell all of my life and in particular on Limes Farm Estate for the past nineteen years. I currently work at our local St. Winifred’s Nursery School as Deputy Supervisor, having qualified as a nursery nurse with the NNEB certificate twenty six years ago. 

I know Limes Farm Infants and Nursery School both as a former pupil and as a parent whose children have all attended the school over the past thirteen years.

I am delighted to be a Parent Governor as I know how important early education is to children and have experienced first-hand the effect a well-run school can have in helping bring out the best in children and give them a good start in their educational journey.

As Limes Farm Infants and Nursery School has always maintained high standards and offered an exceptional education experience, I now wish to be part of a team to ensure that this continues.

Caitlin Geraghty- Trust Governor  

I grew up in Northolt, west London and studied history at The University of Sheffield. After graduating, I joined the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy as a correspondence officer for the Small Business Minister. I then joined the Department for Education in 2020 as a Project Lead in the Kent sub-regional team. In this role, I led on a number of academy projects including academy conversions, transfers, and significant changes.

I am currently working as a Project Officer in the Priority Areas team where I help to deliver interventions and activities to support improvements in KS2 and KS4 outcomes in Hastings and Portsmouth.

I have a keen interest in education, and I would like to develop my knowledge of the school system first-hand as a governor. Limes Farm Infants School is a brilliant, inclusive and welcoming school and I am very much looking forward to being a governor at the school.     

Daniel Bukenya- Trust Governor

From a young age I have always been involved in some form of volunteering in an educational setting. I was inspired by those that came before me as their dedication to providing a supportive environment is something I never forgot. I was fortunate to receive guidance and support and I have always tried where possible to extend that same support and guidance to others. 

Part of my volunteering experience includes being involved in orchestra both as part of an ensemble and a volunteer for the younger groups. Volunteering allowed me to spread my passion for music and help inspire others to be the best they could be. 

Being a governor will be a new experience, but one that I will gladly embrace