Long Ditton Federation (LDF) Governing Body

Long Ditton Infant and Nursery School (LDI) and Long Ditton St Mary’s junior school (LDSM) federated on 1 September 2024.  The two schools work closely together and there is one federated governing body for both schools. 

A Personal Message from the Governors

As the governing body, we feel very privileged to be part of the Long Ditton Federation and to play our part in the success of both schools. We care deeply about each school and respect the ethos and values of both LDI as a community school and LDSM as a Church of England voluntary aided school. 

What we do

The core functions of the governing body include, but are not limited to ensuring:

• that the vision, ethos and strategic direction of the schools are clearly defined
• that the headteacher performs their responsibilities for the educational performance of the schools
• the sound, proper and effective use of the schools’ financial resources

We are committed to follow the Nolan Principles and all governors agree to abide by our code of conduct.  While the day to day operation of the school is the responsibility of the Headteacher, our responsibilities include agreeing and monitoring the federation’s strategic aims, and we help to formulate and review the effectiveness of the schools’ annual development plans.  We agree and maintain policies and budgets, monitor spending and are responsible for headteacher recruitment.

How we are structured

The governing body of Long Ditton Federation is made up of 16 governors appointed or elected by parents, staff, the Guildford Diocesan Board of Education, the Parochial Church Council of St Mary’s Long Ditton, the Ember Learning Trust and Surrey County Council, as well as the Headteacher and the Rector of Long Ditton.

As a full governing body, we meet at least once a term.  In addition, three sub-committees meet termly: the Children & Learning Committee, the Resources Committee, and the Staffing and Pay Committee.  The federated governing body is the admissions authority for the school, and our Admissions sub-committee meets annually and otherwise as required.  All committees report back to the full governing body. 

The Long Ditton Federation recognises that diversity is important and we want our governing body to be reflective of the community we serve.  People with a variety of lived experiences and skills ensure diversity of thought on our governing body, which leads to robust decision-making, effective governance, and improved educational outcomes for children. 

Details of membership of the full governing body, a register of the governors’ business interests and the protocol for governing body open meetings can be accessed below.

To contact us, or to find out more about the governing body, please email info@ldsm.co.uk.

Rachel Cook and Kirsty Francis

Co-Chairs of Governors

Current members of the LDF Governing Body

• Simon Baty (Foundation)
• Ronan Butler (Foundation)
• Rachel Cook - Co-Chair of Governors (Foundation)
• Richard Crossingham (Foundation)
• Chloe Earl (Foundation)
• Kirsty Francis - Co-Chair of Governors (Foundation)
• Emma Hawthorne (Foundation)
• Samantha Hooke - Vice-Chair of Governors (Foundation)

• Sarah Martin (Headteacher-Ex-Officio)
• Daisy McCallum (Staff) 
• Surinder Miah (Parent)
• Colin Powell (Foundation)
• Rev. Dr. Kuhan Satkunanayagam (Foundation - Ex-Officio)
• Vicki Sharp (LA Governor)
• Leanne Strawson (Parent)
• Hilary Williamson (Foundation)

Associate Members

• James Cooper
• Polly Eaton
• Sarah Rawlinson
• Erika Robinson
• Sarah Spence

Vacancies

• None

Clerk to Governors

• Anne Wheelwright