Governors
Welcome to The Coastal Together Federation Governing Body
As Co-Chairs, we have the privilege of leading a dedicated group of governors, all of whom contribute fully with their individual skill sets and knowledge. It is the governing body’s responsibility to hold the Executive Head and the Senior Leadership Team to account for providing the best possible outcomes for the children in our schools. We also oversee the federation’s finances, ensuring the money is well spent, as well as playing a lead role in the strategic vision of the federation.
We are very lucky to have an exceptionally strong team of staff at the Coastal Together Federation with everyone playing their part, no matter how small. This coupled with a clear vision from the Executive Head and Senior Leadership team, ensures the smooth and effective running of all six schools, creating an environment which grows resourceful, creative, reflective, curious, collaborative and resilient learners.
Governors have regular meetings with staff in order to carry out monitoring. This monitoring enables us to have an understanding of how the staff ensure the welfare and safety of all pupils as well as providing us with an in depth knowledge of the curriculum and assessment systems. Some governors have specific roles to monitor such as SEND, safeguarding or pupil premium.
Looking to the future, the governing body will continue to monitor and challenge as well as provide a strategic vision which ensures small village schools, such as ours, continue to be sustainable.
If you would like any further information or you are interested in becoming a governor, please contact us.
Best Wishes
Mike Blake and Steve Lunniss - chairofgovs@coastaltogether.
Please contact us if you would like to discuss any issues relating to the school, bearing in mind your first port of call regarding any school/child based issues should always be the heads of school.
Please contact me if you would like to discuss any issues relating to the school, bearing in mind your first port of call regarding any school/child based issues should always be the heads of school.
David Hopkins, Bacton, Horning and Swanton Abbott Primary School - depexechead@coastaltogether.co.uk
Lucy Daisley-Cramp, Cantley Primary School - hos-cantley@coastaltogether.co.uk
Robbie Houghton and Lucy Daisley, Freethorpe Community Primary School - hos-freethorpe@
Abi Carter, Mundesley Infant and Junior School - hos-mijs@coastaltogether.co.uk
Or alternatively please contact Simon Wakeman the Executive Head of the Federation - exechead@coastaltogether.co.uk
Who's Who...
| Name | Roles | Biography |
|---|---|---|
| Mike Blake | Co-Chair
(Co-opted |
I have been a school governor for over ten years, currently as Co-Chair, with responsibility for Pupil Premium, Sports/PE Premium and school effectiveness at Freethorpe Primary School.
I have one daughter, who is now at college, having formerly started her education at Cantley Primary School. I have been a Business Data Analyst in the Finance function for an insurance firm, for sixteen years. I have also lived in Freethorpe for over twenty-five years, and support the local community both as a Parish Councillor, and as Treasurer for a local charity. |
| Steve Lunniss | Co-Chair
(Co-opted) |
I have been a Federation Governor since 2016. Previously, I was clerk to the Governing Board at Bacton Primary School from 2011 until it federated with the Schools at Mundesley. I have had several roles within The Coastal Federation and then Coastal Together Federation including Vice Chair and Chair of the Leadership and Finance sub-committee. I am the School Effectiveness Governor at Mundesley Infant and Junior Schools.
I had a career managing Supported Housing and Social Care Services, including as CEO of a small volunteer organisation. I have also led the Boards of several charitable and community organisations. I am currently enjoying a well-earned career break. I joined the Governing Board because I wanted to contribute to our local community. I strongly believe that the Federation gives opportunities to retain the individuality of our village schools whilst also working across schools to improve educational attainment. |
| Jamie Nickerson | Vice-Chair | I am Jamie, married to Ann, and have 2 daughters, Daisy and Florence, who both attended Horning Primary School. I was originally a Parent Governor, served as Chair of Governors and then Vice-Chair of Cantley & Horning Schools Federation as a LA governor. I am the School Effectiveness Governor at Horning Primary School.
We moved to Horning from London 20 years ago, where I used to work in a bank, and took over the running of my grandmother’s small farm, where we now breed and keep alpacas. I manage the woodland and sell firewood locally. I also have an IT support business offering tuition and support for people in the local community. My children greatly benefitted from starting their education journey in a small school setting, and I am very committed to ensuring the survival of small schools so that they can help to develop and enrich, principally the children but also the wider community. |
| Laura Garward | Co-opted Governor | I’m a parent with a child at Mundesley Infant School and an Assistant Head at North Walsham High School. I am the School Effectiveness Governor at Mundesley Infant and Junior Schools |
| Trish Webster | Staff Governor | I joined the school's governing body in November 2020 as a Staff Governor. As an employee of the school, and a parent whose child attends another school in the Federation I believe I am fortunate to have a unique view of the workings and effects of some of the decisions made. Prior to working in education admin, I enjoyed a long career in Human Resources and latterly corporate compliance. Working and living in the village gives me a real sense of ownership. I look forward to actively supporting the school in all my roles. |
| Amandine Moores | Parent Governor | My name is Amandine Moores and I live in Halvergate with my husband and my two children. I am French but I have lived in Norfolk for almost 20 years. I am a secondary French and Spanish teacher in a High school and VI Form college in Norwich. I also have extensive experience as a senior examiner for GCSE and Alevel examinations and I have collaborated on several textbooks. This gives me a good understanding of a broad range of educational issues.
I am very active and running is my main passion. As a family, we are keen travellers and we love discovering new countries, helping our children to embrace and understand different cultures, languages and natural worlds. |
| Rachel Hunter | Co-opted Governor | |
| Paul Stack | Co-opted Governor | I have been a school governor since 2022 and was part of the decision for Swanton Abbott Primary School to join the federations. I have two children at Swanton Abbott and firmly believe in the wide ranging benefits to children of being educated in a smaller school.
I am committed to furthering that as well as the impact our schools can have on their local communities. I am one of the School Effectiveness Governors for Swanton Abbott. Outside of governorship I am one of the minis coaches at North Walsham rugby club. |
| Melissa Ford | Co-opted Governor | I am a Pre-school administrator and I have 2 children who attend Swanton Abbott Primary School. I became a parent governor because I wanted to be involved with my children’s education, but also help to further the development and future proof a small rural community school. Once the school joined Coastal Together, I was very keen to continue my involvement and I am now one of the School Effectiveness Governors for Swanton Abbott. |
| Adam Varley | LA Governor | |
| Simon Wakeman | Executive Head | Member of staff. Governor with voting rights. |
| Emie Croft | Associate Governor | Member of staff. Head of Teaching and Learning, Standards and CPD |
| Lucy Daisley-Cramp | Associate Governor | Member of staff. Head of School Cantley |
| David Hopkins | Associate Governor | Member of staff. Deputy Executive Head, Head of School at Bacton and Horning Primaries |
| Robbie Houghton | Associate Governor | Member of staff. Head of School at Freethorpe |
| Abigail Carter | Associate Governor | Member of staff. Head of Schools - Mundesley Infant, Junior and SEMH Base |
| Rosie Maunder | Associate Governor | Member of staff. Head of School Freethorpe and Inclusion Manager for Cantley, Freethopre and Horning |
| Jenny Wood | Associate Governor | Member of staff. Business Director |
| Lyn Thrower | Associate Governor | Member of staff. Business Manager |
| Sam Wilkinson | Clerk |
Our Governing Board
Our Governing Board is made up of a range of people who bring different skills and experience to support the strategic running of the school.
Governing Boards organise themselves in a certain way to make sure they work properly. We have a Code of Conduct, a Constitution and keep a log of governors and their interests, as well as our attendance at meetings.
We also attend governor training and keep our skills up to date.
What do Governors actually do?
Our job is to be a 'critical friend' to the Senior Leadership team, both supporting and challenging them (and each other!) to make sure we are all always doing our best for The Coastal Together Federation children and families.
A vital part of what we do is monitoring how our strategic plans (SIDP) are going in practice and that we are delivering our vision and ethos.
We oversee the financial performance of the schools (School Budget, Pupil Premium, Sports Grant) to ensure that we are getting value for money and that we are spending it where is best supports the children.
We also hold the Executive Head to account for the educational performance of the school. This means we ask challenging questions to the Head and the Senior Leaders to ensure children are getting the best education available at our school.
How do we monitor the schools in the Federation?
Monitoring can take many different forms. It may mean visiting the school, joining lessons, as well as meeting teachers and other staff. It can mean reading and asking questions about school information, such as children's progress and attainment or our staff teams.
We also talk to children about what they think about school, sometimes by attending school council meetings, asking them what they think in class or by having lunch with them. We always learn a lot from their opinions and try to include these in our decision making.
Parent and carer views are vital and we try to attend important information evenings, parent forum and PTFA. We use surveys to understand a range of different perspectives and are currently developing our use of working parties to support continuous school improvement.
