The school is part of the Diocese of Coventry Multi Academy Trust and the Academy Governance Committee (AGC) is part of the governance structure of the Trust which is responsible for overseeing strategic decisions of the school. The governance structure for the trust as a whole is outlined in the governance structure documents here. As an Academy Governance Committee we work in close partnership with the Headteacher and senior leadership team to ensure the best quality education is provided to every child. It is our responsibility to support, challenge, ask questions and ultimately represent the school community. The Academy Governance Committee acts as a ‘critical friend’ to the senior leadership team, questioning and challenging decisions in a constructive and professional way.

Academy Governance Committees have key roles in relation to: providing support, monitoring and challenge around educational experience and performance; church, community and stakeholder engagement and supporting alignment with Trust strategy, approach, ethos and values. The AGC Members meet regularly, visit the school when possible and during special events.  As a team, we are able to support the school to function well and strive to provide a high standard of education.

As a Church of England Academy (part of the Diocese of Coventry Multi-Academy Trust) all the AGC Members support the school in being a place of inclusive welcome and education for everyone.

Our Academy Governance Committee (AGC) Members 

Mrs Mary Briggs (Chair of Governors, SEND, Safeguarding)  

I am one of the community governors who sits on the AGC. I am also a governor at Southam College and trustee of the Thomas Dawson Trust in Oxford, so bring experience of the governance role in several organisations. Professionally, I am a trained teacher and taught for many years in different parts of the country. I currently lecture at Oxford Brookes University on a range of education related courses, including teacher training. I am fortunate that I can bring my expertise and skills set from this role to the governing body. My own children attended Long Itchington primary school and at that time I was a parent governor. I have lived in the village for over 20 years and I am keen to be involved with local organisations.  

Mrs Elizabeth Solman(Parental and Community Engagement, Quality of Education) Having worked in education – both as a class teacher and as part of senior leadership - since completing my PGCE, I have learned what an important role the governing body plays in the successful running of a school. I have benefitted hugely from the support and expertise offered by the governors in question. Now, in my role, I hope to challenge and support the staff at Long Itchington to help provide the best possible education for not only my children, but the whole community.

Mrs Ruth Challis (Behaviour and Attitudes and Spiritual Development)  

I am a former parent at our school and a member of our local church and community. I believe there is an opportunity to strengthen the links between our school families, the church and the wider community for the benefit of all. I am not a teacher and I do not have teaching experience, but I have a long relationship with the school through my children and I hope to bring a different perspective from my business and personal experience. I hope to support and constructively challenge our leadership team, ensuring the best outcome for our children.

Dr Jenny Walsh (MBE) (Academic and Spiritual Development)    I I I I am member of a number of academic and government Boards, have been a governor at local schools and colleges and part of the St Esprit church community in Marton. I am married with 2 adult children and I want to bring some of my experience and desire for children to achieve to their very best, in a safe and nurturing Christian environment, to Long Itchington CofE Academy. Professionally, I specialise in energy innovation management and climate change, I am director of a small consulting company working with private and public enterprises based on over thirty years’ experience in innovation within the energy industry and an honorary Professor at the University of Warwick. My Christian faith underlies and drives all I do, I feel that I can bring passion for learning, developing faith and business skills to the governance role. I am comfortable developing relationships and debating issues at all levels of organisations and am happy to ask the challenging questions as well as supporting ongoing management and teaching.

Dr Emilia Stephens (SEND)

I became a community governor because I believe in the importance of the early years for setting children up for long, happy and healthy lives. In my work as a GP trainee I am aware of many of the struggles young people face, and wanted to take on a role as a governor to support the school to address these. I hope to use my experience and skills  from this role and bring them to the governing body. 

I live locally and am a parent to two small children who keep me on my toes. We love living in the village and I am keen to give back to the local community by helping to support the school. 

Mr Alister Beasant 

Detail to follow

Ms Libby Gill

Detail to follow

Ms Sam Jannaway    

Governance Manager - samantha.jannaway@covmat.org

Vacancies -

Foundation Governor x1

Staff Governor x1

AGC Meeting Dates 2025-26