Governance plays a vital role in providing strategic oversight and ensuring accountability across the Trust’s schools. The Hope Learning Community Academy Trust holds ultimate responsibility for all decisions relating to the operation and performance of its academies. While the Trust remains legally accountable for standards across the Multi-Academy Trust (MAT), it delegates certain responsibilities to the Local Advisory Committee (formerly the Local Governing Body) to ensure effective and responsive local governance.

Lexden Springs Special School currently operates under an Enhanced Governance Committee, a structure that may be implemented when an academy is newly joining the Trust to provide additional support and oversight during the transition period.

Details of the members of Lexden Springs School’s Enhanced Governance Committee are provided below:

Mike Andrews (Chair) – Appointed by the Trust Board on 02 October 2025
Declared interests:

• Director at E.ON UK Trustees Ltd from 18 January 2018
• Chair of Trustees at Hope Learning Community

Andrew Hensman – Appointed by Trust Board on 02 October 2025
Declared Interests:

• Chair of Local Advisory Committee for Chatten Free School from 18 May 2023
• Chairman of Trustees for The Archer Community Trust from 20 May 2012
• Member and Chairman of all-age autism partnership board for Essex County Council from 17 January 2007 – Membership as a person with lived experience no influential/decision making/financial powers. 
• Chairman of Essex Branch of the National Autistic Society since 02 October 2018 – Branches are volunteers providing support locally, not directly connected to the charity’s governance.

Jennifer Grotier – Head Teacher at Lexden Springs Special School
No relevant interests declared.

Emma Callen – Elected by Parents on 24 October 2025
No relevant interests declared.

Claudia Uller – Appointed by Trust Board on 02 October 2025
No relevant interests declared.

Names of those who have served in the past 12 months:
Linda Robinson  – January 2025 to September 2025
Darin Shaikly – January 2025 to September 2025
Jennifer McCutcheon – January 2025 to September 2025
Michael Lucking- January 2025 to March 2025

Meeting Attendance 2024/25

Governor	Meeting Attendance
Cathryn Adams	3 out of possible 4
Jennifer Grotier	7 out of possible 7
Andrew Hensman	3 out of possible 3
Michael Lucking	1 out of possible 1
Jenny McCutcheon	6 out of possible 7
Linda Robinson	7 out of possible 7
Darin Shakily	1 out of possible 3