Local Governance at Unity Schools Partnership
According to the Department of Education, the three core functions of governance in a Multi Academy Trust are:
- Giving the school a clear vision, ethos and strategic direction
- Holding the Headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils
- Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.
Ultimate responsibility for these tasks is held by the central Board of Trustees but support from local governing bodies is vital in providing local representation and acting as the eyes and ears in each school community. Local governors work alongside school staff, to support them in improving the outcomes and wellbeing of all the children in their schools. Feedback from each local board is reported to the Trust Board, and taken into account during decision-making.
Local governors follow a Governance Charter, which is summarised here:
Scheme of Delegation
Governance at Castle Manor Primary Academy
The Chair of Governors at Castle Manor Academy is Justine Dawkins. They can be contacted by email via the school office.
More information about all members of the governing body, including any relevant declarations of interest and attendance at meetings, can be found in the table below:
| Name | Category of Governor | Term of office end* | Relevant business or pecuniary interests | Governance roles in other educational establishments | Relationship to school staff | Meeting attendance in 2025/26 (annual year) |
| Dr Paul Cummings | Community | 8/11/2026 | 1/5 | |||
| Justine Dawkins (Chair) | Community | 13/05/29 | Employed by USP as Finance & Admin Manager | 4/5 | ||
| Cheryl Eden | Parent | 14/09/29 | Employed by USP school as SEND Adminstrator | 4/5 | ||
| Karen Farthing | Community | 14/12/29 | 4/5 | |||
| Kirsty Franks | Associate Member | 08/12/27 | Employed by USP School as Headteachers PA & Office Manager | 3/5 | ||
| Georgia Goulding | Parent | 13/10/29 | Employed by USP School as Pupil and Family Support Worker | 2/4 | ||
| Vicky Hogg | Community | 25/03/28 | Employed by USP School as Headteacher | 4/5 | ||
| Tony Humphrey | Community | 08/11/26 | 4/5 | |||
| Claire Plunkett | Staff | 17/03/30 | 3/4 | |||
| Vanessa Whitcombe | Headteacher | 5/5 |
Abbreviations
C: Community Governor, Trust appointed
P: Parent Governor, elected by parents
S: Staff Governor, elected by staff
HT: Headteacher
AY: Academic Year
* Please note: The duration of all terms of office is four years, except for Associate Members (AM), where it is two years.
Past Governors
Information about governors who have stood down from the Governing Body over the past 12 months can be found here:
| Name | Category of Governor | Term of office end | Relevant business or pecuniary interests | Governance roles in other educational establishments | Relationship to school staff | Meeting attendance in 2025/26 (annual year) |
| Rebecca Bushell | Staff | 08/12/25 | 1/2 | |||
| James Mason | Associate Member | 30/03/26 | 0/3 |