Welcome to the Local Academy Committee page for Riverside Primary School.

Our Local Academy Committee consists of staff, parent and co-opted governors who meet 5 times per year. We also  carry out monitoring visits several times per year.

As a Local Academy Committee, our responsibilities are delegated by Rainham Mark Education Trust (RMET) via the Terms of Reference. The latest version can be viewed by following this link, where you can also find descriptions of our roles as governors and a copy of RMET's code of conduct.

The three core roles of the Local Academy Committee are as follows:

• Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
• Holding the Head Teacher to account for the educational performance of its pupils
• Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent

For information about our current members, please see below. You can find out more about our work in our Annual Governance Statement:

• Annual Governance Statement 2020

Members of the Local Academy Committee:

Parent governors are elected by parents and carers; staff governors are elected by school staff. Co-opted governors are volunteers from the wider community. All governors are formally appointed by RMET for a 4 year term, with the exception of the head teacher who remains a governor so long as they are in post.

• Previous members of the governing body

Business interests and record of attendance:

• Declarations-Riverside Primary Sept 21.pdf
• LGB Confirmations-Riverside Primary Sept 21.pdf
• Governors Record of Attendance 2020-21

Minutes from our meetings:

• Minutes from 2021/22 school year
• Minutes from 2020/21 school year
• Archived Minutes

Training and development

• Training-Riverside Primary Sept 21.pdf

Being a Governor is very rewarding...

Riverside School has a Local Academy Committee that works with Mrs Wilmer and Mrs Robson to make sure our school is running properly, that our children achieve well and that our school budget is used wisely so every child gets the best education possible.

There are different groups represented on our academy committee, parents, the staff and the community. You don’t have to be an education expert to be an academy committee member at our school. It’s the range of experiences that members bring to the job that make a great team. What you do need to have is an interest in education, energy and enthusiasm.

Being a local academy committee member is a two-way street. Not only are you giving to the community, you’ll also be gaining new skills. It’s not a full-time job but it does require a regular commitment. Our full committee meets five times a year, in the late afternoon for about two hours.  Members are usually appointed for four years and are expected to get to know our school and the children by making regular visits, such as learning walks and going on visits with youngsters, and attending school events.

Members are expected to take an active lead in their own development. Induction training is delivered at local schools, and a range of face-to-face or distance learning options are available which will equip you with the necessary competencies for effective governance. 

Parent members are elected from parents or carers of current Riverside Pupils. When a vacancy arises, nominations will be sought via the school newsletter.

Co-opted members are appointed by the Trust board from the wider community. We currently have a vacancy for a co-opted governor and would welcome enquiries from people with the necessary drive and commitment.

If you are interested in becoming a Local Academy Committee member, or finding out more, please contact our Chair of Governors (K.Taylor) via the school office.

If you would like more information about being a Local Academy Committee Member, we recommend

The National Governors' Association website: https://www.nga.org.uk/Governance-Recruitment/Be-a-school-governor-or-trustee.aspx

The DirectGov website: https://www.gov.uk/become-school-college-governor