We are proud and excited to be part of The Swan Trust, a Multi-Academy Trust (MAT), consisting of six local schools who believe that school to school support and collaboration will bring about improvements in the quality of learning for children in our area.
Our vision is to develop a successful partnership of schools that work together to celebrate success and to create opportunities for our children and staff that raise aspirations and inspire excellence for all.
Who are our partner schools in the Trust?
Barnsbury Primary School and Nursery
Beaufort Primary School
Kingfield Primary School
The Hermitage School
The Horsell Village School
The Oaktree School
We continue to work closely together as part of the wider Woking Schools Learning Partnership (WSLP) of 33 schools. We have worked more closely as a smaller group of five schools since 2012 and became an Umbrella Trust in 2013. We chose to formalise this relationship on 1st September 2019 as part of our long term commitment to work together and, most importantly, our shared values and ethos. This has also enabled us to expand and we welcomed the sixth school into our Trust on 1st October 2020.
How does it work?
The SWAN Trust (MAT) was registered formally with the Department for Education (DfE) on 1st September 2019. Our aim is that our six schools, who share a child centered ethos, will continue to work effectively together to enhance the education of all the children in our care.
At the beginning of each school year, we share our school data, when available, and develop a shared improvement plan, which links to each of our School Development Plans. This action plan highlights the priorities for the Trust for the academic year and shows how we plan to use each school’s strength to support one another.
Priorities for 2020/21:
Each year, we will engage in a range of activities to bring about school improvement linked to the annual priorities. These may include:
We will keep you updated of further developments through our newsletters. Over time, we hope to develop the range of activities we participate in, if you have any ideas for shared community events, please do let us know!
The SWAN Trust Members The NGA (National Governance Association) describe Members as the ‘guardians’ of the governance of the Trust. They are tasked with the role of ensuring the purpose of the Trust is being met. |
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Ian Girdler (also Chair of Trust) |
Michael Woods |
Tina Nowell |
Beryl Hunwicks |
David Pugh |
The SWAN Trust Trustees The role of the Trustee is to be legally responsible and accountable for the performance of all academies within the Trust, to follow company and charity law. |
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Ian Girdler (Chair of Trust) |
Carol Cheesman |
Margaret Garner |
Jo MacDonald |
Dermot Main |
Kate Prince |
Alistair Smith |
Elaine Cooper (CEO) |
The SWAN Trust Office Team While the company address currently remains at The Horsell Village School the offices are based at Beaufort Primary School. |
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Elaine Cooper CEO (5 days a week) Chief Executive Officer ceo@swantrust.co.uk |
Shanna Hall CFO (3 days a week) Chief Financial Officer cfo@swantrust.co.uk |
Nicky Dickens Admin and Personnel (4 days a week) admin@swantrust.co.uk |
Natasha Parking HR Support (2 days a week) HR@swantrust.co.uk |
The SWAN Trustee Board
The Constitution and Membership of the Trust Board
Governance is regulated by law, in particular the “School Governance (Roles, Procedures and Allowance) (England) Regulations” of 2013. Trustees are required to publish information about their board and Trustees, and also to declare any financial or other interest that could potentially lead to a conflict of interest.
Our Trust Board consists of eight Trustees. Trustees are appointed to provide a broad and balanced group who have a wide range of skills. Whenever possible Trustees are recruited for the skills and commitment they can bring that enhance the role of Trust Board.
Current Trustees, including those whose term of office has expired or who have resigned and left in the last twelve months, are listed in the table below.
The table provides the following information:
The SWAN Trust Board Meetings for the Academic Year 2019/2020 |
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Name |
Trustee Board Meetings |
Start of term of office |
End of term of office |
|||||||
12/09/19 |
14/11/19 |
23/01/20 |
12/03/20 |
24/04/20 |
14/05/20 |
09/07/20 |
% |
|||
Ian Girdler (Chair) |
ü |
ü |
ü |
ü |
ü |
ü |
ü |
100% |
10/07/19 |
10/07/23 |
Alistair Smith |
ü |
x |
x |
x |
ü |
ü |
ü |
57% |
10/07/19 |
10/07/23 |
Elaine Cooper |
ü |
ü |
ü |
ü |
ü |
ü |
ü |
100% |
01/09/06 |
Ex officio |
Carol Cheesman |
ü |
ü |
ü |
ü |
ü |
ü |
ü |
100% |
10/07/19 |
10/07/23 |
Margaret Garner |
ü |
ü |
x |
ü |
ü |
ü |
ü |
86% |
10/07/19 |
10/07/23 |
Yvonne Lawrence |
x |
ü |
x |
ü |
x |
x |
x |
29% |
10/07/19 |
10/07/23 Resigned 31/07/20 |
Dermot Main |
|
|
|
|
ü |
ü |
ü |
100% |
12/03/20 |
12/03/23 |
Jo MacDonald |
ü |
ü |
ü |
ü |
ü |
ü |
ü |
100% |
10/07/19 |
10/07/24 |
Kate Prince |
ü |
ü |
ü |
ü |
ü |
ü |
ü |
100% |
10/07/19 |
10/07/23 |
The Oaktree School is part of The SWAN Trust, a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in England and Wales with company number 08622047. The registered office is Church Hill, Horsell, Woking Surrey GU21 4QQ