Governor Information
Local Committee
As part of Elevate Multi Academy Trust, our Local Committee (formerly Local Governing Body) acts as the local layer of governance, ensuring alignment with the trust’s overall governance framework while focusing on the needs of our academy and community. This structure promotes consistency, accountability, and collaboration across all Elevate academies.
We follow the purpose of governance as set out in the Academy Trust Governance Guide 2024, which is to provide:
- Strategic Leadership
Setting the vision, ethos, and strategic direction for the academy in line with trust priorities. - Accountability and Assurance
Holding leaders to account for educational performance, safeguarding, and having an overview of financial probity. - Strategic Engagement
Acting as a link between the academy, parents, and the wider community to ensure stakeholder voices are heard.
Why Our Local Committee Matters
Although the Board of Trustees is ultimately accountable for the trust, our Local Committee provides an essential local layer of governance for Elevate. This ensures alignment with trust-wide governance while focusing on the unique needs of our academy and community.
Our Local Committee plays a vital role by:
- Connecting the Board of Trustees, the academy, and the community
Acting as a bridge to ensure decisions reflect local context. - Providing strong links to the Board of Trustees
Sharing local insights so trust-level decisions are well informed. - Engaging meaningfully with parents and the wider community
Keeping the academy at the heart of its community and working with local organisations where possible. - Serving as ambassadors for the Trust
Bringing deep knowledge of the community and its specific needs, which is invaluable to the Board of Trustees. - Supporting parental and community involvement
Ensuring decision-making by the board of trusteees is shaped by meaningful engagement. - Playing an important role in safeguarding and safety
Offering local oversight and understanding of the academy environment. - Assuring the academy’s performance and quality of education
Using local stakeholder voices to monitor and support improvement. - Escalating issues when necessary
Acting promptly to raise concerns with the Board of Trustees. - Acting as a critical friend to the Headteacher
Providing constructive challenge at a strategic level. - Triangulating information
Reviewing policies, visiting the academy, and speaking with staff and pupils to gain a full picture.
The different responsibilities overseen by trustees and local committees are set out in the Scheme of Delegation, which is reviewed on an annual basis.
Link to Articles of Association
The Local Committee comprises of:
The Head Teacher
Staff local committee member- elected by the staff at the academy
2 parent local committee members - elected by parents at the academy
2 community local committee members - Invited by the other Local Committee members for their skill set from the local community
2 foundation local committee members – appointed by trust and agreed by the Diocese
Associate members - Appointed by local committee members to provide short term support in areas identified by the Local Committee. They have no voting rights and their term of office will be limited to 1 year.
Chair of Local Committee: Andrew Leeming.
Email: aleeming@southkilvingtonacademy.org
Address: South Kilvington Academy, Stockton road, South Kilvington, Thirsk, North Yorkshire, YO7 2LR
Our Local Committee Members
Andrew Leeming: Community LC member and Chair
Andrew is a parent at South Kilvington. He currently works as Head of Strategy for the York and North Yorkshire Enterprise Partnership, a public-private partnership supporting economic growth across the area. A strategic thinker with a specific interest in ensuring that South Kilvington Academy offers the best primary education offer in the area, plays a key role in its local community, and continues to be a happy and engaging school for generations to come.
Teresa Forthergill: Community LC member
Teresa lives in South Kilvington with her husband, has 5 grown up children and 3 grandchildren. She is a qualified teacher with leadership qualifications, experience in special educational needs, early years and KS1. Committed to supporting the academy, staff, and children, she is dedicated to ensuring the successful journey continues. Teresa enjoys her weekly sessions volunteering in school, helping in Class 1, and being involved in activities such as Drumba and Forest School.
Stephen Butterworth: Headteacher
Stephen was appointed Headteacher in January 2021 and is very passionate about helping South Kilvington develop and improve, providing excellent learning opportunities for all children. Stephen enjoys being part of a supportive yet challenging Local Committee and welcomes innovative ideas regarding school improvement. Stephen is passionate about making South Kilvington the best it can be for the children and its community.
Rachel Waller: Staff LC member
Rachel was appointed as a Senior Leader at South Kilvington in September 2022 and is invested in, and passionate about moving South Kilvington forward, ensuring that we provide excellent learning opportunities for all. Rachel appreciates working within a Local Committee that combines support with healthy challenge, fostering open discussion and adoption of new initiatives to enhance the academy. Rachel is committed to continually improving South Kilvington for the benefit of both its children and the community it serves.
Adam Leigh - Parent LC member
Andrea Hampshire - Parent LC member
Rev Mary Rolls - Foundation Ex Officio LC member
Rev Mary has been ordained for 10 years and been in Thirsk in a community outreach minister role for 6 years. She has been installed as the Rector for our 4 churches in Thirsk Parishes in June 2025. Rev Mary is delighted to be working with South Kilvington C of E academy in helping and praying for the spiritual flourishing of children and staff. She is married to Rob, and they also have Dibley our dog at home (what else could a vicar call their dog!)
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Governor |
Link |
Term |
Name of Business |
Nature of Business and Interest |
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Stephen Butterworth Headteacher
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Ex officio |
South Kilvington Academy |
Education Headteacher |
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Rachel Waller Staff
|
|
22.11.2027 |
South Kilvington Academy |
Education Teacher |
|
Rev Mary Rolls Foundation |
Teaching & Learning, RE, Parish/School Team, Leads Assemblies and School Worship |
Ex officio |
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|
Foundation |
|
|
|
|
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Adam Leigh Parent
|
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Andrea Hampshire Parent |
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Andrew Leeming Community Chair |
Safeguarding; leadership & finance |
11.07.2027 |
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Teresa Fothergill Community
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11.07.2027 |
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Resigned
Helen Fox as a co opted governor on 02.03.2023
John White term of office ended 01.09.2023
Geoff Colls term of office ended 27.03.2023
Rev Derek Simpson retired
Richard Grant left Thirsk Parishes 29.08.25