Governance

Since the formation of The Park Academies Trust (TPAT), governance at Lydiard Park Academy has been led by a Local Governing Committee (LGC). The LGC is a committee of the main Board of the Trust and is accountable to the TPAT Trustees for its decisions.

Click here for Trust Structure

The LGC is responsible for a range of areas, including:

  • Ensuring that standards of attainment and progress by all pupils at the school are high.
  • Taking a strategic role in the governance of the school.
  • Acting as a ‘critical friend’ to the school and its staff.
  • Ensuring that TPAT’s vision for the school is carried forward.

The following people are members of the Lydiard Park Academy LGC:

Kathryn Sanders – Chair of LGC & Safeguarding Link Governor
Kathryn retired from working in education in 2022 and had over twenty-five years experience in this sector.  Half her career was spent serving on senior leadership teams, covering roles in curriculum, raising standards, behaviour, pastoral and safeguarding.  During this time, she also worked within the local authority as an advanced skills teacher, delivering training to schools across Swindon, as well as delivering training for the NPQSL.

Mike Pook – Community Governor
I have lived in Swindon since birth, and have two children, one of whom is now attending Abbey Park Academy.  I have always worked in IT, and for the last six years into the Defence Sector for an SME. I am based in Corsham for work.

I volunteered to become a LGC member because I felt it was a great way to try and help the community. The skills needed to perform a LGC member role suit my professional background and so this felt like a great way to help.  All my interactions with the trust so far have shown a collective desire to try and do the best possible for everyone within the Trust settings. So being able to help in any way possible seemed like a great opportunity. 

Joshua Coulson – Principal
Bio to follow

Helen James - Community Governor & Equalities/SEND Link Governor
Helen is an experienced educator with significant experience in young people's Mental Health. She is a qualified secondary Mathematics teacher who has taught GCSE and A level in both schools and privately. Helen was Assistant Head at EOTAS with specific responsibility for running the school based at the In-patient psychiatric unit at Marlborough House, Swindon until 2017. Helen has used her Mental Health expertise as a trainer consultant with Young Minds and in running a Network group for teachers in psychiatric units. She is also an exam marker.

Joe Lee - Community Governor
Joe is a dedicated primary school educator with 28 years of experience, currently serving as Deputy Head Teacher. He has worked across four Swindon primary schools in both teaching and leadership roles. Joe has a strong interest in supporting pupils through the transition from primary to secondary education. He is also a proud parent of two grown-up sons.

Mark Botting - Community Governor & Careers and 6th Form Link Governor
Mark is currently Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) for a UK based Laboratory Testing Company. In total Mark has over 25 years of leadership experience in the contract research and laboratory testing sector, having held senior commercial and operational roles within several global life science organisations. Mark has a BSC (hons) in Chemistry from Nottingham University and a MBA from Oxford Brookes Business School.

Laura Brake - Staff LGC Member
I am the teacher governor for LPA, having joined the school as a Maths teacher this academic year and became head of year 9 in January. I have two children aged 19 and 8 and love to spend time walking with the family and dogs, running and riding my horses. I have come from a social and emotional background and love to support pupils to insure of inclusive education. I enjoy being on the LGC to gain an understanding on the huge success of LPA as a school.

Dan Hammond - Community Governor

Senior LGC Governance Officer: Stephanie Connolly

Local Governing Committee – LGC Terms of Reference (in Trust Governance section) - Click here
Scheme of Delegation (in Trust Governance section) - Click here

If you have any queries in relation to the LGC, or to request copies of minutes for the LGC, please email the clerk: clerk@lydiardparkacademy.org.uk.

Also, if you are interested in finding out more about the work of the LGC, especially if you would like to be part of its work, please email the clerk: clerk@lydiardparkacademy.org.uk

 

Declarations of Interest from the Local Governing Committee (48KB)

Register of Interests from the LGC for 2026 - 2027

Local Governing Committee Attendance (44KB)

Attendance for the year 2025 - 2026

Join our Local Governing Committee

Lydiard Park Academy welcomes applications for Local Governing Committee members (LGC).

Become a LGC Member – find out more below in 'related documents'

LGC Recruitment Pack – find below in 'related documents'

To apply please email your curriculum vitae, and a covering letter outlining why you are interested in the role, to Mrs S Connolly, Clerk to the LGC, at connollys@theparkacademiestrust.com.

Please contact Steph Connolly if you are interested in applying and would like to have an informal discussion about the role, and with any general enquiries.