Governance
Our Trustees
The Board of Trustees is the Governing Body for the organisation and remains accountable in law and to OFSTED for the exercise of its functions. It is the accountable body for the performance of all Academies within the Trust and has four key functions:
- Ensures clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
- Holds the CEO to account for educational performance and the performance management of staf
- Oversees the financial performance of the Trust, ensuring financial probity and value for money
- Holds the Local Stakeholder Boards to account
The Trust board meets at least termly and has a number of committees which meet at least termly. Trustees have decision making powers described fully in the Scheme of Delegation and are both company directors and charity trustees as academies have the legal status of both company and charitable trust.
To support the work of schools and the Trustees, Dartmoor Multi Academy Trust ensures the local stakeholder voice is represented and heard through our Primary Advocates and Secondary Local Stakeholder Boards. They provide a local level of access and accountability for our parents and carers, framed within a cooperative structure to build and deepen partnership and connection. This is the place where the individual pupil and parent voice is heard and understood; where the lived experience of our provision and offer is felt and triangulated.
Information about our Trustees, and the various committees and their terms of Reference can be found below:
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Jessica Hardie - Chair of Trustees
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Emma Neath - Vice Chair of Trustees
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Philip Sanders - Safeguarding Trustee
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Beth Carter
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Graham Hill - Whistleblowing Trustee
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Mark Harris
If you would like to make contact with the Trust Board please email the Governance Team via governance@dmatschools.org.uk
Our Governors
To support the work of schools and the Trustees, Dartmoor Multi Academy Trust ensures the local stakeholder voice is represented and heard through our Governors on our local governing boards. They provide a local level of access and accountability for our parents and carers designed to build and deepen partnership and connection. This is the place where the individual pupil and parent voice is heard and understood; where the lived experience of our provision and offer is felt and triangulated.
In our primary schools we have Governor roles and these governance colleagues link directly with one school, but are members of a local governing board for all schools in the Hub to support and act as conduits sharing stakeholder voice and feedback from school visits upwards to the Primary Communication Board (PCB) and Education, Inclusion and Safeguarding Committee (EIS), sub committees of the Trust Board.
Find out more about our Governing Body below...
Dr Helen Orbidans
Helen has worked in education for over 15 years across secondary schools, higher education and the non-profit sector. She is currently a Deputy Headteacher with responsibility for Quality of Education in a secondary school. Throughout her career, she has been committed to improving outcomes for young people and ensuring that all students have access to a high-quality education, regardless of their background or starting point.
Having relocated to the South West several years ago, Helen has developed a strong connection to the local community and is passionate about supporting the education and life chances of young people in the region. As a governor, she brings educational experience, strategic leadership expertise and a commitment to helping every child access the opportunities they need to thrive both academically and personally.
Rev Alison Hardy
Alison is the Parish Priest for Bridgerule and four neighbouring rural parishes. She has been connected with Bridgerule Primary School since her appointment in November 2023 and regularly visits the school for Collective Worship.
Alison has experience of rural life through her background as a farmer and longtime connection with village churches. Her experience with young people has been gained through running children’s and youth clubs within the church. Married with five children, she is based in Holsworthy and part of the Holsworthy Livestock Market Chaplaincy team.
Gemma Furse
I have worked in education since 2018, when I qualified as an Early Educator. I began my career at Bridgerule Pre-School prior to its transition into the DMAT trust and later worked in a local nursery setting.
Since becoming a parent, I discovered a passion for supporting children’s learning and development. Following my time in nursery education, I joined Bude Junior School, where I supported children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). During this role, I completed my Level 4 Diploma in SEND.
In 2022, I joined Bridgerule Primary School as a Special Educational Needs Teaching Assistant. Following a staffing restructure, my role expanded to provide support across all four classes within the school. I now work with children throughout the school, supporting a wide range of individual learning and wellbeing needs. I am currently training to become a Thrive Practitioner and am also working towards my Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant qualification through Best Practice Network.
Outside of school, I am actively involved in the local community through my church, where I support a village mother-and-toddler group. I also serve as Chair of the school’s PTFA, helping to strengthen links between families, the school, and the wider community.
Elizabeth York
I'm a busy mum of 4 children from 18 - 8years old. I work as the Benefice Administrator for Holsworthy Benefice which consist of 5 churches within the Holsworthy area. I'm kept busy with creating the monthly newsletter,raising invoices for weddings and funeral, and answering all the incoming queries and liaising with diocese. Part of my role is also the Safeguarding Lead across 3 of the churches. This consist of ensuring everones safeguarding courses and DBS checks are upto date and in line with Exeter Diocese Safeguarding Policy's, being a point of contact for all to report any safeguarding issues and to pass on any information from diocese to the rest of the PCC.
I am also a Church Warden for Pancrasweek Church and the Treasurer for our sister church in Pyworthy.I volunteer with Open the Book, a local drama group. We act out bible stories for a local primary school as part of thier weekly worship assembly .
When I'm not working I'm looking after our many animals on our small holding, and any spare time is spent at the beach relaxing.
Lucy McCarthy
We are currently on the lookout for fantastic governors to work with our school community. Should you be interested in this role. Please email gbridge@dmatschools.org.uk if you are interested in taking on this invaluable role.