Our School
Care, Honesty, Determination, Respect, Responsibility and AppreciationGovernors
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.
Local Governing Body
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 Governing Body | 18/10/2019 | 4 Years | Ivy Learning Trust | 1.) Employed by Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing 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 | 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 | N/A |
| 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 19/11/19 19/11/2015 | 4 Years | Elected Staff | None | N/A |
| 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 | Headteacher, Crabtree Infants’ and Crabtree Junior Schools | 09/12/2021 |
| Vacancy | Trust Appointed Governor | 4 Years | Ivy Learning Trust |
All governors are voting members of the Local Governing Board. Panels and working groups are established as needed, but there are no ongoing committees.
Declarations of Interests for Ivy Learning Trust Members and Trustees
Please see the following link Declarations of Interests for Ivy Learning Trust Members and Trustees
Attendance Record
Scheme of Delegation
Please click here.
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 | 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
