The Local Governing Body (LGB)

In order to understand the role and responsibilities of the local governing body within North Walsall Primary Academy it is important to recognise that the governing body of a school that is part of a multi-academy trust, such as this one is, is very different from that of a single academy school or a community school.

The main difference is that the trust is the accountable body and ultimate decision-making body and not the local governors, or local governance tier as they are known, and it is the trustees who decide how governance works at individual academy level and what responsibilities are delegated to the local tier.  The trust board can, at any time choose to remove those delegated responsibilities or change the committee structure.

So, in a nutshell the local governing body is a committee of, and dependent on, the trust board for any decision-making powers.

So, what is the role of the local governing body at North Walsall Primary Academy?

The local governing body is an informed local community resource with a unique local perspective and a delegated responsibility to provide challenge and support to the academy and the Trust.  Local governors are the “eyes and ears” of the trustees in the local community.

In line with the trust’s Scheme of Delegation, local governors are responsible for supporting academy improvement and engaging with academy leaders and the community in order to ensure that all students reach their full potential, regardless of background or level of ability.

This academy is part of a local cluster.  This means that the governing bodies of two or more academies come together to form one local governing body.

Fully supported by the Trust’s Governance Team and the Chair, local governors of North Walsall Primary Academy are responsible for:

  1. Knowing, understanding and challenging pupils’ overall progress and attainment. This means being clear about where the attainment gaps are, what provisions are in place to close those gaps and the impact of those provisions.
  2. Monitoring child protection and welfare in the academy including attendance, behaviour, suspensions and permanent exclusions.
  3. Receiving and noting summary management accounts and risk registers provided by the academy.
  4. Hearing any appeals as part of the complaints process and sitting on discipline panels in relation to suspensions and permanent exclusions.
  5. Evaluating their own effectiveness through the local governing body action plan, skills audit and clerk-led self-evaluation.

School visits help governors to understand more about their academy and the reality of school life.  We encourage governors to take on specific roles, dependent upon their interests and visit their academy.

Membership Information

NameLink Governor RoleAppointment TypeDate of AppointmentDate of Re-appointment (if applicable)Date of Resignation (if applicable)Attendance 2024-25
Rachel Paskin Leadership and Management (interim safeguarding lead)Trust03/07/2024Update due September 2025
Tarra SimmonsPupil PremiumTrust24/10/2022
Natalie MorganSafeguardingTrust05/05/2025
Anna WebsterEarly Years LearningParent20/03/2023
Georgia SimsStaff Voice and WellbeingStaff09/12/2021
Katie Bourne Staff Voice and WellbeingStaff23/03/2025
Nailah KausarSENDTrust03/07/202423/03/2025
Dilveer Rai Staff Voice and WellbeingStaff01/09/202410/04/2025

Contact

If you want to bring any matters to the attention of the Local Governing Body, you should address your correspondence to the Chair of Governors at the school address.

Chair of the Local Governing Body: Rachel Paskin

Address: North Walsall Primary Academy, Derby Street, Walsall, WS2 7BH

Telephone: 01922 720822

The Governance Team

If you have feedback, or need support, our ATT Central Governance Team are here to help. Please email: governance@attrust.org.uk

Meet Our Governors

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Rachel Paskin, Chair of Governors, Local Governor

I’m Walsall born and bred and have worked in the Higher Education sector for over 30 years.  I’ve held numerous positions at the University of Wolverhampton and Birmingham City University, with the majority of that time spent in Academic Standards, Governance and Quality Assurance.

Leaving school with no qualifications to speak of, I worked my way up the career ladder the hard way, starting on a Youth Training Scheme (YTS) back in the 1980’s and went on to obtain various professional qualifications, not least BSc (Hons) and MSc degrees in Psychology and Psychotherapy as a part-time student whilst working full time.  Leading me to also work as a counsellor in the voluntary and private sector.

My journey has taught me that education is critical to success in the workplace and wider world.  It has not only given me knowledge, it has expanded my view of the world, shaped my values to be inclusive and embrace diversity, as well as improving my confidence.  

I am keen to share my experiences and knowledge to encourage and support the younger generation in their own educational journey.  I’m very excited to begin my next venture as part of the Academy Transformation Trust

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Tarra Simmons, Vice Chair, Local Governor

I am a senior business leader bringing over 35 years’ experience with a passion to ensure young people’s needs and aspirations are a clear consideration and focus of both responsible businesses and community development strategies. My career has been formed around business, people, and community development.

I believe every person should have the opportunity to be the best they want to be and, that every member of the community plays a role in achieving that.  I have previous experience as a school governor and understand the positive difference a strong governing body can make to the success of the school they support.  On a personal level, I’m a mother, gardener, and keen traveller.

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Natalie Morgan, Local Governor

I am currently an HR Administration Team Leader at Birmingham City University managing a Team of 6 Administrators in the HR Shared Services Department. I’ve been working in HR since 2009 and really enjoy the mix of process and people management that Human resources brings on a daily basis.

I’m a mother of two soon to be adult children and one of 5 siblings, so I understand the importance of communication and negotiating peace deals!  I enjoy being crafty and making a number of different things in various materials like no needle scarves, handmade cards and resin jewellery.

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Anna Webster, Parent Governor

I am Parent Governor at North Walsall Primary Academy and Caldmore. I am also a Project Manager at Caldmore Community Garden, an outdoor education and recreation space next to the school. I have lived and worked in the local area for more than 10 years now and am committed to building strong relationships between the communities, celebrating their diverse heritage, and ensuring their wellbeing. As a parent, I would like to see the Primary Academy flourish as an educational institution, support development of our children, and be at the heart of the local community.

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Georgia Sims, Staff Governor

I went to University College Birmingham in 2012 and I have got a Bachelor’s Degree in Childhood studies. I have worked in all sectors of education working with children from 0 to 18 and working as a support worker for children and young people.  I specialise working with SEND pupils and put my own experience and knowledge of sign language and Picture Exchange Communication to help pupils with their communication and learning. I am very passionate for helping children with SEND needs as I myself have Autism and additional needs and I can understand and empathise with our children who may be finding it difficult in some situations and explain to staff who may not be able to understand fully on what may be happening.

I started working at North Walsall Primary Academy in February 2018, first volunteering in the nurture room and with our SEND pupils. In September 2018 I got the opportunity to work as a lunchtime supervisor from which I did for around 2 years. I was given another opportunity to work part time with a child who came into our school for the morning and continued with lunchtime supervising and continued to volunteer for the rest of the day.  The following September I was asked to continue to work full time and I am now a SEND Teaching assistant now in nurture and in year 1.  I am proud to be a staff governor as it provides me with opportunities to work closely with staff, families, and our community where we can reach the full protentional for our children.

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Katie Bourne, Staff Governor