Cheviot Learning Trust Governance Conference 2024

Celebrating One Year of Learning and Impact

We held our annual Governance Conference earlier this month that brought together Trustees, Members, Governors, Headteachers, and the Executive Team. As Cheviot Learning Trust marks its first anniversary, we celebrated and reflected on this milestone and found this conference a valuable opportunity to reflect on our journey, celebrate our achievements, and discuss the path forward.

Starting with Why?

Paul Carvin, Chair of the Board of Trustees, opened the conference by taking us back to the very start. He revisited the question, “Why a Learning Trust?”, discussing the core purpose of governance and its essential role in shaping the success of our schools. Paul shared his personal motivations for being involved in the governance of the Trust, reminding us of the deep commitment behind our work.

“Making it better” through innovation, cooperation and respect; Q&A 

Next, we heard from Sandra Ford, Headteacher, and Michael Bone, SGB Chair from Abbeyfields First School, who engaged in a Q&A session. They explored the role and effectiveness of School Governance Bodies (SGBs) and highlighted the impact that governors’ work has on students.

Alice Witherow, CEO, then took the stage to speak about the importance of creating a shared narrative across the Trust. She highlighted how, through our collective values, we can continue to strengthen our community and ‘make it better’ for students, staff, and stakeholders alike. This message was brought into sharper focus with a viewing of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s influential TED talk, The Danger of a Single Story, which reminds us to embrace multiple perspectives in our ongoing journey.

Governor opportunities

Fiona Ewart, Governance Professional, spoke about the importance of continuous training and development for governors. She outlined the wide range of opportunities available to governance volunteers, both through Cheviot Learning Trust and external sources, encouraging everyone to stay engaged in their personal and professional growth.

Closing remarks: Looking forward

In her closing remarks, CEO Alice Witherow reflected on the outstanding successes of the Trust’s first year but also acknowledged the need to continue growing. She encouraged the Trust to keep learning, growing and collaborating.

As we celebrate this first birthday, our focus remains clear: to provide every student with a world-class education. The Trust will continue to develop into a sustainable, high-quality organisation that delivers excellent education for all.

Our first year has been one of progress, but we are determined to build on these achievements and make an even greater impact in the years to come.