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/
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:
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 key responsibilities of the Academy Governing Board are to:
| Name | Role | Link Roles | Appointed by | Date of Appointment | Term of Office | Date Stepped Down | Business Interest |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peter Martin | Community Member / Chair |
Chair of the AGB Curriculum & Enrichment Safeguarding & Attendance |
Board of Directors | 1 September 2024 | 4 years | - |
Chair, Schools Forum Director/Trustee at The Fortis Trust Director of Thinking Solutions for Education Ltd Trustee of Young Medway Chair of the Halpern Charitable Association |
| Clare Brinklow | Principal | N/A | N/A | - | |||
| Jo Allen | Parent Member | Recruitment, Workload, Diversity & Wellbeing | Board of Directors | 1 September 2024 | 4 years | - | |
| Lauren French | Staff Member | Board of Directors | 1 September 2024 | 4 years | 31 August 2026 | TSAT Employee (Rochester Grammar School) | |
| Phil Carey | Trust Community Member | Board of Directors | 1 September 2024 | 4 years | - | TSAT Employee (Cedar Children's Academy) | |
| Gurtej Gill | Parent Member | SEND & Equality | Board of Directors | 1 September 2024 | 4 years | - | |
| Alex Hall-Chen | Community Member | STEM, Digital & Careers | Board of Directors | 1 September 2024 | 4 years | - | - |
| Nathan Holloway | Community Member |
Vice Chair of the AGB Pupil Premium |
Board of Directors | 1 September 2024 | 4 years | - | |
| Andew Linn | Community Member | Parental & Pupil Engagement, Marketing & Communications | Board of Directors | 1 September 2024 | 4 years | - | |
| Adeola Olagundoye | Parent Member | Risk & Compliance | Board of Directors | 1 September 2024 | 4 years | - | |
| Lara Osmotherly | Staff Member | Board of Directors | 1 September 2024 | 4 years | - | TSAT Employee (Rochester Grammar School) | |
| Divya Patel | Community Member | SEND & Equality | Board of Directors | 19 September 2024 | 4 years | - | - |
| Name | Meetings Attended | Out of a possible |
|---|---|---|
| Peter Martin | 6 | |
| Clare Brinklow | 6 | 6 |
| Jo Allen | 5 | 6 |
| Lauren French | 3 | 4 |
| Phil Carey | 4 | 6 |
| Gurtej Gill | 2 | 6 |
| Alex Hall-Chen | 5 | 6 |
| Nathan Holloway | 3 | 6 |
| Andew Linn | 3 | 6 |
| Adeola Olagundoye | 3 | 6 |
| Lara Osmotherly | 4 | 4 |
| Divya Patel | 0 | 4 |
To explore Governor vacancies available within the Thinking Schools Academy Trust, please visit our recruitment website or email governance@tsatrust.org.uk.
Contact the Governing Bodies
In the first instance, please contact Mr Peter Martin, Chair of the Academy Governing Board, c/o The Rochester Grammar School, Maidstone Road, Rochester, ME1 3BY