Trustees and Governance
Our Trustees
The Board of Trustees is the Governing Body for the organisation and remains accountable in law and to OFSTED for the exercise of its functions. It is the accountable body for the performance of all Academies within the Trust and has four key functions:
- Ensures clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
- Holds the CEO to account for educational performance and the performance management of staff
- Oversees the financial performance of the Trust, ensuring financial probity and value for money
- Holds the Local Stakeholder Boards to account
The Trust board meets at least termly and has a number of committees which meet at least termly. Trustees have decision making powers described fully in the Scheme of Delegation and are both company directors and charity trustees as academies have the legal status of both company and charitable trust.
Information about our Trustees, and the various committees and their terms of Reference can be found at DMAT Governance
- Jessica Hardie - Chair of Trustees
- Emma Neath - Vice Chair of Trustees
- Philip Sanders - Safeguarding Trustee
- Graham Hill - Whistleblowing Trustee
- Mark Harris
- Edd Jones
- Daniel Jenkins
If you would like to make contact with the Trust Board please email the Governance Team via governance@dmatschools.org.uk
Our Governors
To support the work of schools and the Trustees, Dartmoor Multi Academy Trust ensures the local stakeholder voice is represented and heard through our Local Governing Boards. They are committees of the Trust Board and provide a local level of access and accountability for our parents and carers, provide a monitoring and challenge role and have some delegated decision-making as described in the Scheme of Delegation. This is the place where individual pupil and parent voice is heard and understood; where the lived experience of our provision and offer is felt and tested.
Local Governing Boards meet at least termly, and report directly to the Trust Board via Primary and Secondary Communications Boards.
Our Local Governing Board is the Foundry Hub Governing Board, a hub board comprising South Tawton, North Tawton and Chagford Primary Schools. Governors work closely with school leaders to provide support, challenge and strategic oversight, ensuring that all pupils receive the highest quality education and opportunities to thrive.
To find out more about our local governance and Terms of Reference, click here.
Local Governing Board Foundry Hub Information
Foundry Hub Governing Board - Register of interests
Mel Holyoak - Co Chair and Safeguarding Lead Governor
The Rev'd C. Edwina Fennemore - Foundation Governor
Edwina has a thirty-year background working in the NHS, clinically, managerially and at a strategic level. With roles encompassing Quality, Risk, Continuous Improvement, and Governance, she has transferable skills which will be invaluable in the education and school setting. Recently she was a key trustee involved in moving a charity from within the National Church Institutions (NCI) to becoming an independent charity establishing sound governance, policies, and involved in appointing a new Director. She has a tenacity for following due process.
Edwina is an ordained member of the Church of England, a self-supporting priest, holding a permission to officiate (PTO) licence through the Diocese of Exeter, and locally part of the North Dartmoor Parishes benefice.
Having joined Chagford Primary School two years ago to offer reading support- a passion she holds in enthusing children with a love for reading, she has also been involved in creative projects linking the church with the school. She sees the role as a Foundation Governor as an opportunity to build upon her existing links in strengthening the spiritual and religious identity of the school and supporting children to explore their own spiritual identity.
Ella Curnow - Health and Safety Governor
Ella Curnow is a solicitor who has grown up in West Devon and has three young children who will all attend South Tawton School. She is passionate about early years education and putting schools at the heart of the community.
Isabella Peck - Teaching and Learning Governor
Isabella grew up in Devon and after graduating from Exeter University she went on to work for the National Trust for 10 years at various properties across the country. Her favourite parts of her job were mentoring staff and developing ways of engaging families with history and nature. It was here that she became passionate about the importance of play in child development.
She gave up her dream job to move back to Devon and start a family (her favourite role). Her three children go to South Tawton Primary and Pre-school.
She became a Governor to help support the whole school community. She is passionate about helping to create the very best environment for all to thrive.
She regularly volunteers at school and has helped set up a library, a community volunteer group and parent group.
She's turned her passion for history into a vintage business.
Lizzie Squire - Staff Governor
Lizzie has been working as a Teaching Assistant at North Tawton Community Primary School for nearly three years. During this time, she has developed extensive experience supporting children across the primary age range and has a particular passion for promoting inclusion, wellbeing and positive outcomes for all pupils. She is currently completing her Level 3 Teaching Assistant qualification and is keen to progress her career within education, with the long-term ambition of becoming a qualified teacher and completing a PGCE.
Lizzie has a strong and longstanding connection with North Tawton Community Primary School. Having attended the school herself, as did her father, she is now proud to see her own daughter following in their footsteps. This connection has given her a deep commitment to the school and the wider community it serves.
Lizzie is passionate about ensuring that every child has access to the highest quality education and the opportunities they need to achieve their potential. She believes strongly in creating a safe, inclusive and nurturing environment where children feel valued, respected and listened to, and is committed to helping every child get the best possible start in life.
Tara Jessop - Co Chair
Tara became a Governor in September 2026 after moving to the area the previous year with her partner and enrolling her daughter at North Tawton Primary School. Her interest in becoming a Governor stems from a desire to contribute to the school and local community, making sure every child attending school gets the best possible experience. Professionally, Tara works for the School of Education at the University of Exeter, where she provides operational leadership across the department. Prior to this, Tara worked for a Town Council in Somerset where she developed her knowledge of project management, local authority operations and governance and stakeholder management. In addition to her school governor role, Tara is also a trustee of Make The Sunshine, a community interest company focused on building connected communities through creativity, and the arts. Tara is passionate about ensuring children have the opportunity to explore their creativity and imagination, carrying the benefits of this through to adulthood.
Emma Clarke - SEND Lead Governor
I work in Global Partnerships at the University of Exeter, drawing on experience in higher education, strategic planning, partnership development and project management. My wider professional interests have also included environmental science and water security.
As a parent of a child in Reception, I’m keen to become more involved in school life and gain a deeper understanding of the primary education system. Becoming a governor feels like a meaningful opportunity to contribute to the school community and support its continued development, bringing my professional experience and skills to the role.
I’m particularly passionate about pupil wellbeing and inclusion, and about helping to ensure that every child feels supported, valued and able to thrive. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time in nature, exploring the natural environment, listening to music and travelling.