Governance
Thurston Community College is a 'community school', which is sometimes called a Local Authority (LA) maintained school. It receives its funding from the Suffolk County Council and is required to deliver the full National Curriculum.
The Governing Body is the school's legally accountable body. It has a strategic role. The Principal is responsible for the day-to-day operations, provides the governing body and is held accountable to the governing board. At TCC the Governing Body, Principal and Senior Leadership Team work in partnership to ensure that the College runs effectively to provide the best possible education for all its students.
The Governing Body has three core functions and is the strategic decision maker:
1) Ensuring clarity of the vision, ethos and strategic direction of the school are clearly defined.
2) Ensuring that the headteacher performs their responsibilities for the educational performance of the school.
3) Ensuring the sound, proper and effective use of the school’s financial resources.
The Governing Body's Work
The Governing Body's working centres on the work of two committees.
- The Resource Management Committee
- The Standards Committee
These committees meet once a term and report to the Full Governing Body.
The Full Governing Body meets once every half term. The first meeting of every Term is designated as a training and development meeting, where the Governing Body supported by the school leadership team deepen their understanding of key issues.
Underpinning these formal contacts is a wide range of other contacts including regular meetings between the Principal and Chair of Governors, site visits and sitting on interview panels.
Associate members do not have voting rights.
To contact the Governing Body please email governors@thurstoncollege.org
Our Governors
Please click on the picture for more information about each Governor.
Governors (ID 1201)
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Robert DavieChair of Governors (Co-Opted)
Robert Davie
Committee: Chair Steering, Chair Standards, Resource Management
Relevant Business and Pecuniary Interests: None
Term of Office: 08 July 2022 - 07 July 2026
Appointed by: Governing Body
Attendance at Meetings 2022 - 2023: Full
Attendance at Meetings 2023 - 2024: x 4 Apologies
Attendance at Meetings 2024 - 2025: Full
Attendance at Meetings 2025 - 2026: x1 Apology
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Robert LenkoCo-Vice Chair (Co-opted)
Robert Lenko
Committee: Chair Resource Management, Steering
Relevant Business and Pecuniary Interests: None
Term of Office: 17 October 2022 - 16 October 2026
Appointed by: Governing Body
Attendance at Meetings 2022 - 2023: x 3 Apologies
Attendance at Meetings 2023 - 2024: x 4 Apologies
Attendance at Meetings 2024 - 2025: x 2 Apologies
Attendance at Meetings 2025 - 2026: x 1 Apology
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Greg BurchillCo-opted
Greg Burchill
Committee: Resource Management
Relevant Business and Pecuniary Interests: None
Term of Office: 5 July 2024 - 4 July 2028
Appointed by: Governing Body
Attendance at Meetings 2024 - 2025: Full
Attendance at Meetings 2025 - 2026: Full
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Helen HarridgeParent Governor
Helen Harridge
Committee:
Relevant Business and Pecuniary Interests:
Term of Office: 3 November 2025 - 2 November 2029
Appointed by: Parents
Attendance at Meetings 2025 - 2026: Full
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Fiona MacaulayCo-opted
Fiona Macaulay
Committee: Chair Standards
Relevant Business and Pecuniary Interests: None
Term of Office: 08 July 2022 - 07 July 2026
Appointed by: Governing Body
Attendance at Meetings 2022 - 2023: x 4 Apologies
Attendance at Meetings 2023 - 2024: x 2 Apology
Attendance at Meetings 2024 - 2025: Full
Attendance at Meetings 2025 - 2026: x 3 Apologies
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Greg RussellCo-opted
Greg Russell
Committee:
Relevant Business and Pecuniary Interests:
Term of Office: 28 November 2025 - 27 November 2029
Appointed by: Governing Body
Attendance at Meetings 2025 - 2026: Full
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Andrew SmithLocal Authority
Andrew Smith
Committee: Vice Chair Resource Management
Relevant Business and Pecuniary Interests: Nil
Term of Office: 06 July 2023 - 05 July 2027
Appointed by: Local Authority
Attendance at Meetings 2022 - 2023: x 2 Apologies
Attendance at Meetings 2023 - 2024 : x 1 Apology
Attendance at Meetings 2024 - 2025: Full
Attendance at Meetings 2025 - 2026: Full
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Susan ShieldsParent Governor
Susan Shields
Committee: Resource Management
Relevant Business and Pecuniary Interests: None
Term of Office: 01 October 2022 - 30 September 2026
Appointed by: Parents
Attendance at Meetings 2022 - 2023: Full
Attendance at Meetings 2023 - 2024: Full
Attendance at Meetings 2024 - 2025: Full
Attendance at Meetings 2025 - 2026: Full
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Tanya SturmanAssociate
Tanya Sturman
Committee: Standards
Relevant Business and Pecuniary Interests: None
Term of Office: 29 September 2022 - 28 September 2026
Appointed by: Governing Body
Attendance at Meetings 2022 - 2023: x 2 Apologies
Attendance at Meetings 2023 - 2024: x 1 Apologies
Attendance at Meetings 2024 - 2025: x 1 Apology
Attendance at Meetings 2025 - 2026: x 1 Apology
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Chris SunleyCo-opted
Chris Sunley
Committee: Vice Chair Standards Committee
Relevant Business and Pecuniary Interests: None
Term of Office: 29 November 2024 - 28 November 2028
Appointed by: Governing Body
Attendance at Meetings 2024 - 2025: x 1 Apology
Attendance at Meetings 2025 - 2026: x 1 Apology
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David WebdaleStaff Governor
David Webdale
Committee: Standards
Relevant Business and Pecuniary Interests: None
Term of Office: 05 October 2022 - 04 October 2026
Appointed by: School Staff
Attendance at Meetings 2022 - 2023: x 1 Apology
Attendance at Meetings 2023 - 2024: x 2 Apologies
Attendance at Meetings 2024 - 2025: Full
Attendance at Meetings 2025 - 2026: Full
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Maéve TaylorPrincipal
Maéve Taylor
Committee: Steering, Resource Management, Standards
Relevant Business and Pecuniary Interests: None
Attendance at 2023 - 2024 Meetings: Full
Attendance at Meetings 2024 - 2025: Full
Attendance at Meetings 2025 - 2026: Full
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Tracey WardConfidential Secretary to the Governing Body
Tracey Ward
Attendance at Meetings 2022 - 2023: Full
Attendance at Meetings 2023 - 2024: Full
Attendance at Meetings 2024 - 2025: Full
Attendance at Meetings 2025 - 2026: Full
Our Governing Body is made up of of individuals from a range of backgrounds and experiences. 42% Identify as 'White: English/Welsh/Scottish/Northern Irish/British'. 58% did not wish to share this information.
Terms of Reference
Resource Management - Terms of Reference
Standards Committee - Terms of Reference
Steering Committee - Terms of ReferenceInstrument of Government
Governor Code of Conduct
Complaints Procedure
Parents should note it is the wish of the Governing Body to deal with all complaints quickly, effectively and as informally as possible.