Governance (Local Partnership Board)

Axbridge C of E Academy 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 Patricia Page at ppage@axbridgefirstschool.co.uk.

Local Partnership Board Roles (Current)
Name Role Term Start Term End Attendance (2024-25)
Mr Dominic Shillabeer Headteacher 25th April 2022 Ongoing 6/6
Mrs Toni Hael Chair 6 June 2023 6 June 2027 6/6
Mrs Kate Browne Local Partner - Safeguarding 2 February 2022 2 February 2026 5/6
Mrs Bev Burnett Local Partner 6 June 2023 6 June 2027 6/6
Mrs Sarah Newland Local Partner 1st January 2025 1st January 2029 4/6
Miss Penelope Groves Local Partner - SEND 25 May 2022 25 May 2026 5/6
Rev Julie Sims Local Partner 1st May 2025 1st May 2029 1/6
Business and Financial Interests (Current)
Name Nature of Interest Date Declared
Mr Dominic Shillabeer None 15/09/25
Mrs Toni Hael None 26/09/25
Mrs Kate Browne WLT staff member at Kings of Wessex 30/09/25
Mrs Bev Burnett None 01/10/25
Mrs Sarah Newland Director and Shareholder of Business Management Consultancy 17/09/25
Miss Penelope Groves Forest School Leader (freelance) 25/09/25
Rev Julie Sims None 02/10/25
Mr Connor Loughney None 10/09/25
Local Partner Resignations (Last 12 months)
Name Role Term Start Resignation Date
Mrs Zoe Hebden Vice Chair 2 February 2022 1 March 2025
Mr Andrew Mearns Local Partner 6 June 2023 18th July 2025