Interested in joining New Horizons Children's Academy in September 2027?

Join us for our Open Morning Tours to see our school in action and meet our staff and children. 
Spaces are limited so please secure your place by contacting our office on 0333 360 2115

Governance

The TSAT Governance Model

The Thinking Schools Academy Trust governance model is different from that of a traditional maintained school. 

Governance within the trust operates through a clear layered structure, combining strong local oversight with trust-wide strategic accountability.

Local governance is delivered through the Academy Governing Body (AGB), with overall responsibility held by the Trust Board of Directors.

This ensures that each school benefits from dedicated local governors who understand the community, alongside consistent trust-wide leadership and assurance.

For information on the role of the Board of Directors, Members and Board minutes, please follow the link here: www.tsatrust.org.uk/about/governance/

Academy Governing Body (AGB)

Each academy (or small cluster of academies) has an Academy Governing Body.

AGBs typically consist of between 8 and 11 governors in addition to the Headteacher, made up of:

  • Parent representatives
  • Staff representatives
  • Trust-appointed governors
  • Community governors

Governors are appointed or elected based on the skills and experience required to support effective governance. Governors usually serve a term of four years and AGBs meet a minimum of six times per year.

The role of the Academy Governing Board

The key responsibilities of the Academy Governing Board are to:

  • Hold academy leadership to account for educational performance, quality of care and provision
  • Ensure the Trust’s vision, policies and strategic priorities are delivered within the academy
  • Monitor the effectiveness of local strategies and progress against the School Improvement Plan
  • Represent and consider stakeholder voices in strategic decision-making
  • Contribute to the performance management of the Headteacher, including the involvement of the AGB Chair in annual professional growth reviews.

The AGB Members for New Horizons Children's Academy are:

Name and Role Member Link Role Start of Term  Length of Term Appointed by Business Interest End of Term
Chair Mandy Samrai Recruitment, Workload, Diversity & Well Being 03/02/2026 4 Years AGB Members    
Head of School Leanne Talbot-Brown   20/04/2026 NA NA    
Community Member Carrie Myhill Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) &  Equality 03/02/2026 4 Years AGB Members    
Community Member

Peter Martin

 Pupil Premium 01/09/2024 NA Board of Directors    
Community Member Justina Obe TBC 03/02/2026 4 AGB Members    
Parent Member Gurtej (Paul) Gill Curriculum, Enrichment, STEM, Digital & Careers 01/09/2024 4 Years Board of Directors    
Staff Member Magdalena Pinkos Curriculum, Enrichment, STEM, Digital & Careers 01/09/2024 4 Years Board of Directors    
Trust Member Dan High Pupil Premium ;Risk & Compliance 01/09/2024 4 Years Board of Directors    
Trust Member Simon Brown Safeguarding & Attendance 03/02/2026 4 Years  AGB Members    

Past AGB Members

Role Member Start of Term End of term
Staff Member Juanita Bacon 01/09/2024 31/08/2026
Parent Member Hannane Ford 01/09/2024 31/08/2026
Parent Member Matthew Foreman 01/09/2024 31/08/2026
Chair Lee Round 01/09/2024 30/06/2025
Headteacher Alice Early 01/09/2024 31/08/2025
Community Karen Barker 01/09/2024 09/05/2025

 

 

Governing board meetings attendance during academic year 2025/26

Name Meetings Attended Out of a possible
Peter Martin 4 6
Leanne Talbot-Brown 3 6
Gurtej (Paul) Gill 2 6
Carrie Mayhill 3 4
Mandy Samrai 4 4
Matthew Foreman 4 6
Justina Obe 2 6
Hannane Ford 0 6
Peter Martin 4 6
Juanita Bacon 5 6
Magdelena Pinkos 4 6
Dan High 5 6
Simon Brown 4 6