Governance is a key element of the leadership and management of the Griffin Schools Trust (GST) itself and of the schools individually and collectively. Please click here to see our Governance Structure.

The Trust (itself accountable to DfE) is the body to whom schools are directly accountable. It delegates autonomy to each Local Governing Board/Body (LGB) or School Improvement Board (SIB) according to the Scheme of Delegation.

The Trust Board is made up of experts in UK and international education as well as private sector professionals with a wide range of commercial experience and expertise. In keeping with our vision we also place an emphasis on attracting Trustees who have backgrounds and networks in Sport and the Arts. The Board acts as guardian to the Trust vision, and ensures that progress towards its fulfilment is underpinned with the highest standards of compliance with our regulators so that public funding is very well-used.

Serving as a Governor in a GST school requires a commitment to the seven principles of public life and to a code of conduct which puts the school and its pupils at the centre. GST Governors meet formally every thirteen weeks (i.e. once every school term) and much of the real work is done between these meetings, through Working Groups and individual contributions to the school’s life according to each Governor’s skills and the needs of the school.

The role is very different from that of a Governor in a Local Authority school, recognising that the Head is the school’s Chief Executive and the Board is there to advise, support and challenge through appropriate channels and to evidence the impact that governance is having on the school’s progress. As in the world of non-executive directors, GST Governors are expected to bring their skills to bear and to work in co-operation and collaboration with the staff team, the whole Local Governing Body and the Trust to bring about rapid and sustained improvement for the pupils they serve.

The Trust is responsible for the appointment, performance management and professional development of the Heads, though the LGB’s work has a vital role to play in highlighting and evidencing the impact that the Head and Governors are making through their termly meetings. Through their work in and for the school, Governors come to know the school community and to be well-informed about its performance, able to talk about it confidently and accurately to the Trust, to Ofsted, to parents and to interested local groups.

We very much appreciate the work that Governors do and the part they play in the success of the schools they serve and indeed of the Trust. We hope that Governors find reward in the impact they make on young lives and their individual experience of the living reality of the GST motto: Proud Traditions Wide Horizons High Achievement.

The Lammas Improvement Board is:

Marie Cordey – Chair
Marissa Davis
Charlotte Foulston
Jayne Lusinski
Anne Powell
Alison Ramsay

Marie Cordey

Chair

Marie has a substantial background in education including a decade as a lead inspector for Ofsted. She has also worked as a school improvement consultant for local authorities, academy chains and individual schools. After 20 years as a teacher, head of department and deputy head, Marie was a senior lecturer in initial teacher education before focusing her work on school improvement.

Marissa Davis

Marissa’s leadership experience has included working as a Headteacher and as a School Improver in the independent and maintained sectors, having worked for many years at a senior level in GDST,  the Girls Day School Trust. She has served as a senior school improvement adviser in the head office in London, on the Board of one of the London schools and has led Primary and Secondary departments in schools in Wales and Bedfordshire. As a curriculum expert, Marissa has supported GST’s cross-Trust events and projects such as the Science Symposium and Founders Day. She brings to the  governance of GST a practical understanding of and commitment to GST’s vision and values.

Charlotte Foulston

Charlotte has 20 years’ teaching and leadership experience in secondary education, in London and Wales. Prior to her teaching career, she was director of a company specialising in supporting young people into vocational training and apprenticeships. Charlotte brings to the Trust the perspective of a practitioner in the current policy landscape together with wide experience of delivering to learners on a large scale.

Jayne Lusinski

Jayne trained as a secondary school teacher, specialising in Mathematics and PE and taught for 27 years in one school gaining experience in many areas of leadership, developing an interest in the curriculum and timetabling and taking a key role in safeguarding children. Jayne is passionate about engaging parents in their child’s education and promoting a variety of activities for children to experience within the curriculum. Jayne was seconded to Lordswood to support the leadership team in Feb 2014 and was appointed to Head of School in April 2015.

Anne Powell

Anne is a music graduate who found her vocation in teaching in the least affluent communities in East London. As a primary Head and then Executive Head, Anne has led and supported rapid and sustainable improvement journeys in several GST schools, primary and secondary. Her leadership saw two long-term underperforming schools speed from special measures to confidently outstanding. The first GST Head to become the CEO on the strength of her record, Anne presides over the further realisation of the Trust’s vision. She is driven by a belief that good exam outcomes are the corollary of a great education and not its sole focus.

Alison Ramsay

Alison is a modern foreign languages graduate who has a passion for leading ambitious school communities and opening up the world to its students. As an experienced Secondary Head, Executive Head and School Improver, Alison has developed teams, mentored new leaders and supported schools through significant periods of change. Her belief in championing every young person, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, is at the heart of everything she does. Alison is an advocate for promoting sports and arts provision, and celebrating the achievements of young people in these areas.

Saira Mughal – Clerk
lammasclerk@griffinschoolstrust.org
0208 988 5860

Address of Chair:
Lammas School and Sixth Form, 150 Seymour Road, Leyton, London, E10 7LX