Our School

Care, Honesty, Determination, Respect, Responsibility and Appreciation

Governors

School governors are ordinary people from the local community who wish to make a positive contribution to children’s education. They are the largest volunteer force in the country and have an important part to play in raising school standards. Governors are not involved in the day-to-day management of the school.

Almost anyone can become a school governor and you can find out more information here. All new governors receive training and support from Ivy Learning Trust and their fellow governors. If you are interested in assisting the School in this way, please contact governance@ivylearningtrust.org.

Local Governing Body

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Kate Gibson

Chair of Local Governing Body

Kate has over 20 years’ experience in the social housing sector, 10 in a senior management position, where she has developed a wide skill-set, including ensuring compliance with all appropriate regulations, maximising income opportunities and contract procurement.

Kerry McEwan

Headteacher

I have been in education for 22 years and have two children of my own. After joining the school three years ago from Enfield, I could see what the future could be for our children here at Larkspur. Working at this great school, it is clear how unique our children are. They deserve the best education. We are passionate about ensuring our children can go out into the world and achieve what they want as independent, strong and resilient learners who can confidently conquer anything.

Trustee appointed governors

Bonnie West

My three children all attended Tower School, and I became a governor when my youngest child was in Y5. I believe that all children deserve the best education possible, to prepare and equip them for a constantly changing world. The launch of Larkspur Academy brings a new start to education in Ware and I continue to support the staff and students in aspiration and achievement.

Lawrence Price

I am now retired from a career spanning 46 years as a primary school teacher, including 28 of those years as a headteacher. I still work as a trainer on a PGCE course where I specialise in Personal Growth and Character Education.

Here is a bit of what I think about schooling:

Every child who walks through the school’s doors is…

a) A miracle (and I can prove it!?)

b) Unique

In addition, the future possibilities and life chances of each and every child are INFINITE!

I believe that we must do all we can at school to equip each child with the understanding, skills, attitudes, behaviours and attributes that will empower them, allowing them to take greater control of their lives and become directors of their destiny.

The significance of working in a school cannot be overstated. To have the chance to work every day with the potential to change someone’s life and make it better. To teach is to touch, even create, the future.

I am looking forward to being a part of Larkspur’s future, sharing what I have learnt, learning from others and helping in any way I can.

Emma Simmons

I am passionate about education and have been teaching for over 20 years. I have been fortunate to work in a variety of schools and have taught Reception to Year 8.

I have been a Head teacher and now Executive Head teacher for 4 years and am excited about being part of Ivy Learning Trust.

Elected parent governors

Simon Camp

Deputy Chair of Local Governing Body

I currently have two children at the school with my eldest having just left last year. I have served as a governor since arriving in Ware just over 6 years ago. With the academisation of the school, and our support Larkspur will now provide greater stability, better teaching and a better education for all our children.

Staff governor

Jackoline Champion

My two daughters attended Tower Primary School and received an excellent education allowing them both to attend university. I currently have an exciting role within Larkspur Primary Academy as pastoral and parent support. I believe that every child deserves the best education alongside feeling safe and valued. I whole-heartedly believe that Larkspur Primary Academy can provide every child with an excellent education.

Other Local Governing Body Information

Governors can be contacted through the school office – email: office@larkspurprimary.org

Copies of the minutes of Local Governing Body meetings can be obtained through the school office.

Name	Title	Date of Appointment	Term of Office	Appointed by:	Declaration of Interest:	Date Interest Declared:
Kate Gibson	Chair of Local Governors	18/10/2019	4 Years	Ivy Learning Trust	1.) Employed by Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing, MTVH work with Arcadis, although KG has no direct relationship with them 2.) Fraser Brown, Direct client through employer until approximately 2018. MTVH still work with Fraser Brown although now has no direct relationship with them 3.) Alan Camp Associates - Local Governor at Larkspur is a partner at the firm who tender for work at MTVH.No direct relationship with Alan Camp Associates. 4.) Ridge and Partners LLP - The Trust’s School Condition Allocation consultants are on the tender list for MTVH. No direct relationship with Ridge and Partners LLP 5.) Trustee - Ivy Learning Trust 6.) MTVH are the social housing provider for the Wheat Quarter redevelopment in Welwyn Garden City. One of the planning conditions is likely to be a financial contribution from the developer to the Local Authority towards school provision. There was no material personal conflict of interest for KG since she was not the decision maker around school provision nor involved in the contract of work with MTVH associated with the site Read more	1.) 17/09/2020 2.) 07/2017 3.) 10/2021 4.) 10/2021 5.) Oct 2019 6.) December 2021
Kerry McEwan	Headteacher	01/01/2018	Ex-officio	Ex-officio	None	NA
Simon Camp	Vice Chair (Parent Governor)	Re-elected 25/11/2020 25/11/2016	4 Years	Elected Parent	Employed by Alan Camp Architects	17/07/18
Vacancy	Parent Governor		4 Years	Elected Parent
Jackoline Champion	Staff Governor	Re-elected 19/11/2019 19/11/2015	4 Years	Elected Staff	None	NA
Bonnie West	Trust Appointed Governor	Trust re-appointed 24/09/2020 24/09/2016	4 Years	Ivy Learning Trust	Employed by Hertfordshire County Council. Chair, Ware Skillman Trust	17/07/18
Lawrence Price	Trust Appointed Governor	15/07/2021	4 Years	Ivy Learning Trust	Education Consultancy (Staff Professional Development and Pupil/student teaching sessions)	August 2021
Emma Simmons	Trust Appointed Governor	09/12/2021	4 Years	Ivy Learning Trust	Executive Headteacher, Crabtree Infants’ and Crabtree Junior Schools	09/12/2021
Vacancy	Trust Appointed Governor		4 Years	Ivy Learning Trust	None	NA

All governors are voting members of the Local Governing Board. Panels and working groups are established as needed, but there are no ongoing committees.

Click here for The Trust’s Annual Report and Accounts, Memorandum, Articles of Association, Funding Agreements and the names of Trustees and Members

Local Governors who have stepped down in the last 12 months

Name	Title	Date of Appointment	Date Stepped Down	Appointed by:
Sarah Edwards	Trust Appointed Governor	Trust appointed 24/09/2019 15/06/2018	25/02/2022	Ivy Learning Trust

Governance documents which need to be available for public inspection can be requested by emailing the governance professional at governance@ivylearningtrust.org