The Vine Schools Trust is a multi-academy trust and is the accountable body for all twenty three of its schools. Therefore, the overarching responsibility for the governance of the Trust and its schools lies with the Vine Board of Directors.  They fulfil the three core functions of governance:

• Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;
• Holding executive leaders to account for the educational performance of the organisation and its pupils, and the effective and efficient performance management of staff; and
• Overseeing the financial performance of the organisation and making sure its money is well spent.

To enable the Directors to fulfil their responsibility eight regional Local Schools Board’s work on their behalf and undertake delegated local governance of between two and four schools.  Community Boards in each school enable local support and provide information to enable good governance.

The key principle is that all three Boards together with Executive Leaders will provide an aspect of governance the other cannot as set out in this chart.

This model of governance is undertaken under delegated responsibility. For full details see below.

South East Hub Board

The Board acts as a committee of the Diocese of Chelmsford Vine Schools Trust Board of trustees/directors.  Currently this is made up of:

Gill Holmes (Chair)

A former headteacher, Gill is also a SIAMS (Church School) Inspector.  She brings a wealth of experience in school improvement to the Board.

Charlotte Little (Vice Chair)

Charlotte has a child at St Margaret’s Academy and before having children was an HR Manager with responsibility for 4900 staff working for a chain of shops.  She brings expertise in fundraising and finance to the Board.

Rev David Ibiayo 

Rev David is the Rector of St. Chad, Vange, and Priest-in-Charge of St. Margaret, Bowers Gifford with North Benfleet.  He is committed to supporting schools and regularly delivers Collective Worship.

Belynda Fellows

Belynda is Head Teacher at St James’ C of E Primary school in Colchester.  She brings expertise in teaching and learning as well as having a knowledge of The Vine Schools Trust.

Catherine Stalham 

Catherine is Head Teacher at Winter Gardens Academy and brings expertise in school improvement and teaching and learning.

Sally Finch attends board meetings as Headteacher

Vacancies are being filled through an appointment process