Introduction

School governors are ordinary people from the local community who wish to make a positive contribution to children’s education. They are the largest volunteer force in the country and have an important part to play in raising school standards. Governors are not involved in the day-to-day management of the school.

On 1 January 2023 Round Diamond converted to become an academy within the Ivy Learning Trust. The Trust is responsible for a group of academies within Hertfordshire and the London Borough of Enfield. Within academies, the trust board is the accountable authority. The model of governance for Ivy Learning Trust includes a local governing body (LGB) within every academy. The LGB is accountable to the trust board and operates as a committee of the trust. The core responsibilities of the LGB are the quality of education provided by the school and the safety and well-being of pupils. Details of the current LGB members for Round Diamond are set out in the table below.

The local governing body normally meets three times within the academic year. In addition, local governors conduct visits throughout the year, some to look at specific aspects of the school as well as attending school events and celebrations.

Almost anyone can become a school governor and you can find out more information here. All new governors receive training and support from Ivy Learning Trust and their fellow governors. If you are interested in assisting Round Diamond School in this way, please contact governance@ivylearningtrust.org.

Please find below the details of how our local governing body is structured, including the categories, responsibilities and terms of office for each governor. We also note whether individual governors have declared any relevant business interests.

JOHN MALYNN OBE

I am a retired career civil servant, having worked in education policy from 2004 at the Department for Education. Prior to retiring I spent my final years of employment leading on school inspection policy matters within Ofsted. Originally from London where I served as a governor at primary and secondary school level for many years up until 2018, I moved to Great Ashby in 2006. I became a co-opted governor at Round Diamond in September 2020 and am currently Chair of the Governing Body. 

ZOE PHILLIPS

I joined the governing body in September 2011 when I joined the school as Headteacher.  I have been a governor in my own daughter's school for 6 years, I appreciate the role governors play in the leadership of a school.

ZAK KARIM

I was elected to join the governing body in November 2022.  I currently have a son who joined Reception in September 2022.  I am very excited to be a governor at Round Diamond and look forward to getting more involved with the school.  I have worked in finance for over 10 years and currently work in the technology sector providing insight into budgeting, forecasting and other financial specifics.

STACEY MASON

I have been a member of staff since 2017, working throughout all key stages within the school.  More recently basing in EYFS, Nursery and Reception classes. Prior to becoming a staff governor,  I was a Parent Governor for 8 years, stepping back to work on and to obtain my Supporting Teaching and Learning Level 3.  Currently I have a child in Year 6 that attends the school and my eldest child being 14 also attended the school and is now at a local secondary school. The experience that I have being a parent and a staff member allows me to see from things from all perspectives. Offering challenges and the ability view from the school and the mechanisms from all angles.

CHERYL DESBOROUGH

I am a Business Analyst at the University of Hertfordshire and have worked there since 2007. I have two children, both of which are at Round Diamond and am pleased to be able to be part of the school community. I am currently the Vice-Chair of the Governing Body.

DAN GALVIN

I am a pastoral lead at a secondary school in Stevenage where I have been teaching since 2019. I hope that my varied background in design, education and youth sport coaching helps me bring a useful perspective to the team. I joined the governing body in March 2024, and I look forward to taking on the role of Governor.

JOHN BENNETT

I joined the governing body in March 2024 as a parent governor. My child started at Round Diamond for Nursery in 2021. I'm really looking forward to adding a parent's perspective and drawing on my 25 years of experience in supporting capital infrastructure projects, all to make a positive difference at the school for the staff and the children.

Declarations of Interests for Ivy Learning Trust Members and Trustees

View a PDF version of the declarations of interest below or download here: Ivy Learning Trust Declaration of Interests.pdf

Attendance Record

Attendance 2023-2024

Scheme of Delegation

View a PDF version of the Scheme of Delegation below or download here: Ivy Learning Trust Scheme of Delegation.pdf

Governance Arrangements

Information on governance arrangements is available on Ivy Learning Trust's website

Trust’s Annual Report and Accounts, Memorandum, Articles of Association, Funding Agreements, the names of Trustees and Members and Executive Pay (Governance Arrangements).

Local Governors who have stepped down in the last 12 months

Governance documents which need to be available for public inspection can be requested by emailing the governance professional at governance@ivylearningtrust.org.