Introduction – Academy Committees
The Academy Committees (ACs) support the Trustees to fulfil their responsibility for oversight of each school within the Trust, acting as the eyes and ears of the Board at local level. Their role is more focused than that of a traditional school governing body. The SAST central team manages – finance, HR, Estates, IT, and others.
The ACs responsibility is to monitor and scrutinise teaching and learning, welfare, and safeguarding issues. The ACs provide challenge and support to the Headteachers and senior leadership team, and represent the Trust to local stakeholders – parents, students, staff and the community. Two representatives of each AC are elected from among that school’s parents, while a further representative will be elected by the staff. The Headteacher is ex officio. The remaining representatives are appointed by the Trustees following recommendation from the AC and Headteacher, based on skills and experience, or in our Church of England academies, the Diocese of Salisbury and the Diocese of Bath & Wells receive and consider nominations and appoint. Ex ‘VA’ schools must have a majority of foundation representatives and ex ‘VC’ 25% of representatives must be foundation. Each AR is appointed for a term of four years, after which time, AC representatives, with agreement from the Diocese or Trustees, may agree to renewal of further term(s).
The AC will meet at the beginning of each full term (three times a year), plus an additional meeting to review published exam performance. Typically, this additional meeting will take place during the autumn term for primary and secondary schools, once the SATs results have been published.
Our Academy Committee
Executive Headteacher / Ex-officio – Mr Matt Barge
Head of Schools / Ex-officio – Mr Andrew Wright and Mrs Sarah Vail
Chair / Appointed Community Academy Committee Representative – Mrs Sharon Proyer (Special Needs ACR)
Foundation Academy Committee Representative – Mrs Kirsten Drake (School Community ACR)
Trust Academy Committee Representative – Mrs Sarah Baines (Safeguarding ACR)
Vice Chair / Foundation Academy Committee Representative – Mr Paul Blake (School Improvement ACR)
Community Academy Committee Representative – Mr Robert Corben (Okeford Fitzpaine ACR)
Parent Academy Committee Representative– Mr Tom Troughton
Parent Academy Committee Representative – Mr Duncan Curry
Trust Academy Committee Representative – Mrs Sue Ryall
Clerk – Mrs Emma Williams
Contact
Please contact the Academy Committee members through the school office emails:
office@shillingstone.dorset.sch.uk
Information
ACR Roles & Expiry Dates – updated April 2026
AC Business Interests Register 2025-2026
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