Governance
The Thinking Schools Academy Trust governance model is different from that of a traditional maintained school.
Governance within the Trust operates through a clear layered structure, combining strong local oversight with Trust-wide strategic accountability.
Local governance is delivered through the Academy Governing Board (AGB), with overall responsibility held by the Trust Board of Directors. This ensures that each school benefits from dedicated local governors who understand the community, alongside consistent Trust-wide leadership and assurance.
For information on the role of the Board of Directors, Members and Board minutes, please follow the link here: www.tsatrust.org.uk/about/governance/
Academy Governing Board (AGB)
Each academy (or small cluster of academies) has an Academy Governing Board.
AGBs typically consist of between 8 and 11 governors, including:
- The Headteacher
- Parent representatives
- Staff representatives
- Trust-appointed governors
- Community governors
Governors are appointed or elected based on the skills and experience required to support effective governance. Governors usually serve a term of four years and AGBs meet a minimum of six times per year.
The role of the Academy Governing Body
The key responsibilities of the Academy Governing Body are to:
- Hold Academy leadership to account for educational performance, quality of care and provision;
- Ensure the Trust’s vision, policies and strategic priorities are delivered within the Academy;
- Monitor the effectiveness of local strategies and progress against the School Improvement Plan;
- Represent and consider stakeholder voices in strategic decision-making;
- Contribute to the performance management of the Headteacher, including the involvement of the AGB Chair in annual professional growth reviews.
The AGB Members for Plymouth High School for Girls are:
| Name | Link Role | Start of Term | Length of term | Appointed by | Business Interest | End of Term |
| Shona Bray | Curriculum Enrichment | 27/02/2025 | 4 Years | Board of Directors | None | 26/02/2029 |
| Roger Burnett |
Risk and Compliance STEM |
01/09/2024 | 4 years | Board of Directors | None | 31/08/2028 |
| Julie Johns (Chair) |
Safeguarding Recruitment, diversity, workload and wellbeing |
01/09/2024 | 4 years | Board of Directors | None | 31/08/2028 |
| Catherine Lewin | Careers and 6th Form | 01/09/2024 | 4 years | Board of Directors | None | 31/08/2028 |
| Alannah Palmer | 27/01/2026 | 4 years | AGB | None | 27/01/2030 | |
| Andreas Walmsley | 22/01/2026 | 4 years | AGB | None | 22/01/2030 | |
| Colin Wells (Deputy Chair) | Pupil and Parental engagement, Marketing and Comms | 27/02/2025 | 4 years | Board of Directors | Spouse works as exam invigilator for PHSG | 26/02/2029 |
| Rachel Will | Pupil Premium | 01/09/2024 | 4 years | Board of Directors | None | 31/08/2028 |
| Simon Underdown | Headteacher | N/A | None | |||
| Leavers in the last 12 months | ||||||
| Michael Freeman | 01/09/2024 | 4 years | Board of Directors | 05/09/2025 | ||
| John Henley | 17/06/2025 | 4 years | Board of Directors | 10/10/2025 | ||
| Victoria Sargeant | SEND and Equality | 01/09/2024 | 4 years | Board of Directors | 27/11/2025 | |
To explore Governor vacancies available within the Thinking Schools Academy Trust, please visit our recruitment website or email governance@tsatrust.org.uk.
Governing board meetings attendance during academic year 2024/25
| Name | Meetings attended | Out of a possible |
| Shona Bray | 3 | 3 |
| Roger Burnett | 5 | 6 |
| Michael Freeman | 3 | 6 |
| John Henley | 1 | 1 |
| Julie Johns | 4 | 6 |
| Catherine Lewin | 5 | 6 |
| Michael May | 1 | 1 |
| Victoria Sargeant | 1 | 6 |
| Colin Wells | 4 | 4 |
| Rachel Will | 4 | 6 |
More information about the AGB and governance across the Thinking School Academy Trust can be found at:
http://www.tsatrust.org.uk/about/governance/