Governance

The Trust Governance Model

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 thelink here: www.tsatrust.org.uk/about/governance/

Academy Governing Body (AGB)

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:

  • Parent representatives
  • Staff representatives
  • Trust-appointed governors
  • Community governors

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 role of the Academy Governing Board

The key responsibilities of the Academy Governing Board are to:

  • Hold academy leadership to account for educational performance, quality of care and provision
  • Ensure the Trust’s vision, policies and strategic priorities are delivered within the academy
  • Monitor the effectiveness of local strategies and progress against the School Improvement Plan
  • Represent and consider stakeholder voices in strategic decision-making
  • Contribute to the performance management of the Headteacher, including the involvement of the AGB Chair in annual professional growth reviews

AGB Members

The AGB Members for Brixham College are:

Name

TypeLink RolesAppointed byDate of AppointmentTerm of OfficeDate Stepped DownBusiness Interests

Rebecca Blackshaw

Principal

 

N/A

N/A

N/A

 

No business interests to declare

Anthony Prowse

Community Governor

Chair / Curriculum & Enrichment

Board of Directors

01/09/2024

4 years

 

Trustee of Grenville House Outdoor Education Centre

Flo Barker

Community Governor

Vice Chair / Pupil & Parental Engagement, Marketing & Communications

AGB Appointed

19/09/2025

4 years

 No business interests to declare

Ali Bouyamourn

Community Governor

Pupil Premium

Board of Directors

01/09/2024

4 years

 

No business interests to declare

Nick Quine

Community Governor

Safeguarding & Mental Health

Board of Directors

01/09/2024

4 years

 

No business interests to declare

Richard Boughey

Parent Governor

Curriculum & Enrichment

AGB Appointed

21/01/2025

4 years

 No business interests to declare

Simone Lowen

Parent Governor

SEND & Equality

AGB Appointed

21/01/2025

4 years

 No business interests to declare

Paul Adams

Trust Governor

Risk & Compliance

Board of Directors

01/09/2024

4 years

 

Headteacher at another TSAT school

Paula Hislop

Staff Governor

Recruitment, Diversity, Workload & Wellbeing

Board of Directors

01/09/2024

4 years

 

No business interests to declare

Karen Griffiths

Staff Governor

STEM, Careers & Digital

AGB Appointed

29/01/2026

4 years

 

No business interests to declare

Gareth Brown

Staff Governor

 

Board of Directors

01/09/2024

4 years

20/03/2025

Trustee of Grenville House Outdoor Education Centre

Laura Hay

Trust Governor

 

AGB Appointed

16/10/2024

4 years

23/01/2026

Works at another TSAT school

Darrell Holmes

Community Governor

 

Board of Directors

01/09/2024

4 years

06/03/2026

No business interests to declare

Governing board meetings attendance during academic year 2024/25

Name

Meetings Attended

Out of a Possible

Mark Eager

6

6

Anthony Prowse

6

6

Ali Bouyamourn

4

6

Nick Quine

1

6

Darrell Holmes

6

6

Richard Boughey

4

4

Simone Lowen

2

4

Paul Adams

1

6

Laura Hay

4

6

Gareth Brown

4

4

Paula Hislop

6

6

Contact Governors

If you would like to contact us about any concerns or issues, please contact the Clerk to the Governing Body via the school:

Clerk to the Governing Body
Higher Ranscombe Road
Brixham
TQ5 9HF

Further Information

To explore Governor vacancies available within the Thinking Schools Academy Trust, please visit our recruitment website or email governance@tsatrust.org.uk.

More information about the AGB and governance across the Thinking School Academy Trust can be found at:
http://www.tsatrust.org.uk/about/governance/