Governance (Local Partnership Board)

Cheddar First School is a part of the Wessex Learning Trust whose Trustees hold the ultimate responsibility for the governance of each Wessex Learning Trust School.

The Department for Education’s Academy Trust Handbook sets out the Trust’s responsibilities regarding governance – Academy trust handbook 2025: effective from 1 September 2025 - GOV.UK

Wessex Learning Trust Trustees delegate certain key roles and responsibilities to the School’s Local Partnership Board (LPB) and these are set out clearly in the Scheme of Delegation which can be seen on the Wessex Learning Trust website.

We value the expertise and support that our Local Partnership Board brings. Please see below a list of our Local Partners.

If you would like to contact the Chair of the Local Partnership Board, or you are interested in becoming a Local Partner, please email the Clerk to the Partnership Board Charlotte Cox at cox@cheddarfirstschool.co.uk.

Local Partnership Board Roles (Current)
Name Role Term Start Term End Attendance (2025-26)
Mrs Morwenna Homewood Chair 21/09/2021 21/09/2028 4/5
Mr Richard Barkle Vice Chair 20/05/2026 20/05/2029 -
Mrs Jane Hutton Local Partner 06/09/2021 06/09/2028 4/5
Mrs Deborah Hale Local Partner - Safeguarding 21/09/2021 21/09/2028 4/5
Mr Sam Bougourd Local Partner - SEND 13/12/2021 13/12/2028 5/5
Mrs Esme Merryfield Local Partner 01/09/2026 01/09/2026 -
Mrs Suzi Smith Headteacher 21/09/2021 5/5
Business and Financial Interests (Current)
Name Nature of Interest Date Declared
Mrs Morwenna Homewood Profit Sharing Member of Berry Redmond Gordon and Penney LLP 22/09/2026
Mr Richard Barkle None 22/09/2026
Mrs Jane Hutton Head of Operations – Wessex Learning Trust 22/09/2026
Mrs Deborah Hale None 22/09/2026
Mr Sam Bougourd Director of Bougourd Psychology LTD – Educational Psychology Services 22/09/2026
Mrs Esme Merryfield None 22/09/2026
Mrs Suzi Smith Headteacher at Cheddar First School, Local Partner of Kings of Wessex and Trustee of The Space 22/09/2026
Local Partner Resignations (Last 12 months)
Name Role Term Start Resignation Date
Dr Stephanie Price Local Partner 13/12/2021 22/06/2026
Mrs Alison Alen Chair 08/03/2022 12/02/2026

Key Information