Local Committee (LC)

Ashley CofE Primary School is an academy in the Good Shepherd Trust (GST).

The GST is a multi-academy trust (MAT) within the Diocese of Guildford. More information about the GST can be found here.

The functions of the Trust Board of the Good Shepherd Trust are to lead strategy development, hold the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and his team to account, operate within financial constraints, define an overall vision for GST schools, meet the governance compliance required by law and create a strong, effective governance structure on the board and in schools. To view The Good Shepherd Trust Board membership, click here.

Please click here to view the Trust Financial Reporting information.

The members of the LC, the Headteacher and staff work together constantly to improve the quality of the education we provide to our children and to promote Christian values in all aspects of school life.

All LC members are appointed by the Trust and are expected to perform their duties in accordance with a Code of Conduct. Declarations of interest are declared and reviewed at each LC meeting and are available to view at the bottom of this page.

What does an LC do?

The Trust has given the Local Committee (LC) a scheme of delegation which shows what the LC is responsible for.

How often are meetings held?

The Local Committee meets six times per year, plus an additional 'business meeting' at the start of the year, and all Members are expected to attend. Part 1 (non-confidential) minutes of these meetings are public documents and can be requested from the school office.

Please note that LC meetings are not 'open' meetings. See LC Terms of Reference for details.

Who are the LC members at Ashley?

Statutory reporting of members of the Local Committee (including terms of office) is on Get Information About Schools.

Lisa Kent – Chair and General Member (Term of Office: 05.03.2024 onwards)

Jennie Ratcliff – Ex-officio – Headteacher (Term of Office: 19.04.2021 onwards)

Rev. Cathy Blair – Interim Chair and General Member (Term of Office [2nd Term]: 17.10.2023 onwards)

Areas of Responsibility: Christian Distinctiveness, Pupil Premium, Maths

I moved to Walton on Thames in 2016 from Woking. Once upon a time, I trained as an architect in Nottingham and then felt called by God to go as a missionary to a number of countries, for short trips, and then for five years to South Africa. Whilst working for the church there, I taught English and tennis in the local school. Returning to England, I was accepted for the ordained ministry and, after more training, have led three churches with my husband Jonny. I have served as a governor in four primary schools and one secondary school. I have three grown up children. I still enjoy playing tennis, going for walks and painting.

Jon Owen – General Member (Term of Office: 26.11.2020 – 25.11.2024)

I have over 20 years of teaching and leadership experience in local independent secondary schools with my present role being an Assistant Principal at Surbiton High School. My present role within the Sixth Form covers a wide portfolio of responsibilities including pastoral care, safeguarding, recruitment and retention as well as being a line-manager for our Careers Department and contributing to the monitoring of teaching and learning across the school. Surbiton High School is part of United Learning and I support academies within our group with improving student access to higher education, especially at the more competitive universities. Outside of work, I enjoy travelling, playing golf (badly) and spending time with my wife and young son.

Dean Furber - Parent Member (Term of Office: 17.05.2021 - 16.05.2025)

Areas of Responsibility: Pupil Premium, Website Compliance

I’ve lived in Walton since 2012 and have two children, one at Ashley and the other a couple of years away from school age. I’ve been active as a school governor in Walton for several years, first at Grovelands where I went on to chair the governing board, and now as a parent member of the Ashley LC. I have a keen interest in ensuring that all the children at Ashley have a great experience at school and get the best possible start. I’m particularly focused on closing the attainment gap and helping to ensure that the school gets the most from the Pupil Premium funding.

Louise Athersuch – Staff Elected Member (Term of Office: 22.10.2020 – 21.10.2024)

I joined Ashley School in September 2013 as a Year 6 teacher to complete the school's journey to two-form. Now the school is now a three-form Academy and I am proud to be the staff member of the LC. I have been phase leader for a number of years with a specialism in computing and technology. Prior to teaching at Ashley, I taught elsewhere locally at Ottershaw CofE Junior School and Thames Ditton Infant School. Outside of school, I volunteer with my local Scout group and other important charities. As well as my teaching experience, I hold a BA (Hons) in media practice and started my working life in public relations for travel publisher Lonely Planet.

What are the different types of membership?

Headteacher (ex-officio);
Parent members, elected by parents of registered pupils at the academy and must be a parent of a pupil at the academy at the time of the election, or appointed by the GST;
Staff elected member, one member of the school staff from each school as a representative of the staff, normally appointed by ballot;
General members.

A term of office for a local committee member is four years and a local committee member may serve two terms (8 years) if eligible – parents/staff would have to be re-elected to be eligible.

I'm interested in joining the LC. What should I do?

Firstly, thank you for your interest! Parent members can only be elected where a vacancy exists for a parent member on the LC. If you are not a parent and would like to be considered to be appointed as a general member on the LC, you should contact the Chair (governors@ashley.surrey.sch.uk) to arrange an informal chat about where your strengths and experience might be best used.

Which meetings have members attended?

Information about attendance in the previous academic year can be found by clicking here.

What other interests do LC members hold?

Declarations of Interest

Which members have left over the past 12 months?

Name	Role	Appointed By	From	To
Bernie Higgins	Chair and General Member	The Good Shepherd Trust	11.12.2020	16.10.2023
Andy Evans	General Member	The Good Shepherd Trust	26.01.2021	01.02.2024

Where can I find additional information?

Please click here to view the Trust Board Membership webpage

Please click here to view the Governance Information page on Get Information About Schools