Governance
Helping Children Step into their Greatness
Greensand Multi Academy Trust is a charitable company, limited by guarantee. The formal governance arrangements for the Trust are set out in its Articles of Association.
The Trust’s governance arrangements and the roles of, and delegation to, its various governance layers are described in the Scheme of Delegation.
The highest level of governance of the Trust is its Members. The Members take the place that shareholders would have in a commercial company. They act as the “guardians” of the Trust and play a limited but crucial role in safeguarding academy trust governance. Members hold the Trust Board to account for the effective governance of the Trust and assure themselves that the Trustees are acting in accordance with the Trust’s charitable object, namely to advance and provide education for the public benefit.
If you are interested in becoming part of our governance team, please see this page to learn more about Governance Opportunities.
The Trust is governed by its Trust Board, which is the body accountable for all schools within the Trust. The Trustees are the legal governors of the Trust and the directors of the charitable company. They are responsible for the operation and performance of all schools in the Trust. Their core functions are:
Holding executive leaders to account for the educational and financial performance of the Trust
The Trust Board creates robust accountability for executive leaders through rigorous analysis of performance data and financial information.
Setting the Trust’s vision and values, and the strategy for achieving this vision
The Trust’s vision centres on pupil progress and achievement. Working with senior leaders, the Board sets strategic objectives to help the Trust reach its goals.
Ensuring the Trust’s financial success and probity
Trustees are responsible for ensuring that the Trust operates with regularity, propriety and value for money, using only the resources it has available.
The Trustees deliver these functions via the Trust Board and the Board’s Central Committees.
Governance at our schools is fulfilled by the Governors and School Committees. Governors oversee the management aspects of their respective schools, monitor the schools' performance and hold senior leaders to account to ensure high standards of achievement for all children and young people in the Trust. They work alongside senior leaders and support teachers to ensure that their schools run as effectively as possible.
Our Governors, Trustees and Members have a common goal to enrich the lives of every child in our Trust by providing inspiring and transformational learning, cultural and life experiences.
The Articles of Association, Scheme of Delegation and other key documents can be found on our Key Documents and Statutory Information page.
CENTRAL COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP
Trust Board Central Committees
Education & Standards |
FARC |
Growth & Development(AD HOC) |
Pay & HR |
Crisis Response(AD HOC) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alison Woodhouse (Chair) | Andy Graham (Chair) | Simon Garrett (Chair) | Andy Tagart (Chair) | Sean Ruth (Chair) |
| Alex Burnet | Ross Anderson | Ross Anderson | Simon Garrett | Andy Graham |
| Simon Garrett | Brigitte De Shong | Sean Ruth | Andrea Hall | Sue Wardlow |
| Andy Graham | Sean Ruth | Daphne Sherriff | Sean Ruth | Alison Woodhouse |
| Sally Olah | Robert Gregson | Sue Wardlow | Sue Wardlow | |
| Sue Wardlow | Daphne Sherriff | Alison Woodhouse | ||
| Andy Tagart | ||||
| Julian Jeffery |
DESIGNATED GOVERNORS
Greensand MAT MEETING DATES & Governance TRAINING Events
The dates for meetings across all layers of Greensand MAT's governance structure appear below, together with our Open Meeting Protocol.
Greensand MAT Consolidated Meeting and Training Schedule for 2025-26 all Boards and Committees
Open Meeting Protocol for Greensand MAT 2025-26
In addition to regular meetings, in order to work together as a single Greensand Governance Community (GGC), to ensure strong links between our governance layers, and to maximise collaboration across the Trust, we invite all members of the GGC - Governors, Trustees, Members and Clerks - to Governance Training Events (GTE).
We have both external speakers providing training at our sessions and, in order to draw on experience, expertise and practice from within the Trust, we often have sessions run by members of staff. We have a different focus for each event which provides an opportunity for continuing professional development, group discussion and sharing of best practice. Recent GTEs have focussed on the Nurture Programme, Governor School Visits and Handling Complaints.
This year's events will be taking place on:-
- Thursday 15th January 2026 (online, 18:00 - 19:30 - EDIB Focus) - NB Zoom link to follow in the New Year.
- Wednesday 10th June 2026 (Reigate School, 18:00 - 20:00 - Focus TBC).
Ashlee Woodruff
Member
Ashlee is an accomplished senior operations executive with over 20 years experience in the shipping sector. Through her professional career she has developed expertise in global business transformation initiatives, whilst navigating complex environments. With a rich blend of strategic acumen and leadership qualities, she has a proven track record in driving transformative organisational growth in data, analytics, and information businesses.
Ashlee is an award winning Diversity, Equity & Inclusion leader with proven multi-cultural experience designing, leading and successfully implementing change management and business expansion projects.
Ashlee has four children, all of whom keep her busy with their dedication to sports. Ashlee volunteers with Swim England, Crawley Swim Club and is the Chair of Governors at a school in her local community. She is committed to having a positive social impact through initiatives that support the education and attraction of talent to the Shipping Sector and inspiring the next generations of workforce, contributing positively to the growth of the maritime industry.
