Local School Committee (LSC)

The Local School Committee (LSC) provides strategic oversight, support and challenge to the school’s senior leadership team to ensure high standards of education and the best possible outcomes for pupils. It works within the vision, ethos and policies of the Trust and ensures that statutory responsibilities are met, including those set out in Keeping Children Safe in Education and Working Together to Safeguard Children.

The LSC is made up of the Headteacher (and Head of School where applicable), elected staff and parent members and co-opted community members who are appointed for their skills and experience and meets 4 times a year alongside a programme of LSC member visits to the school.

The LSC has delegated responsibility to work with senior leaders on the following:

• Standards
• Stakeholder engagement
• Safeguarding
• Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)

The LSC is a committee of the Spiral Partnership Trust which is legally responsible for overseeing the operations of the Trust’s schools.  Our decisions are monitored by, and may be influenced by, the Board of Directors who are ultimately responsible for all the actions of the Trust’s schools.

The LSC supports the work of the Trust and Board of Directors, acts as a questioning friend to the school, monitoring decision making and its impact on pupil progress, achievement and attainment and ensures that the Trust’s vision, ethos and strategy is adopted and applied by school leaders.

If you would like to contact the Local School Committee or find out more about how it works, please contact the school office by telephone or email at admin@forres.herts.sch.uk

LSC members do not deal with individual pupil matters or specific complaints and parents and carers should first raise concerns with their child’s class teacher and then with the Headteacher or Head of School where necessary.

Chair of LSC
Raj Sagoo
 

Vice-Chair of LSC
Dave Stoten

 
Clerk to the LSC
Patrick Aikman
 

The Local School Committee (LSC) meets at least once a term. The dates for the academic year 2025-2026 are:

- 17/9/25
- 3/12/25
- 13/3/26
- 24/6/26

Governors who have held the office:
Mr Raj Sagoo - Chair of Local School Committee. First appointed 01/02/23 as parent governor. Appointed Chair of LSC by Spiral Partnership Trust Board of Directors in Sept 2024. SEND, Curriculum, Teaching & Achievement (Key Stage 1)
 

Mr Dave Stoten- Co-opted Representative and Vice Chair. First appointed 07/07/2021 and again from Curriculum 07/07/2025. Teaching & Achievement (Key Stage 2), Health & Safety and Risk Management. 
 

Mr Gavin Douglas- Headteacher. First appointed 01/09/2020
 

Mrs Laura Port - Associate Representative and Deputy Head Teacher
 

Ms Tessa Payne - Staff Representative. First appointed by staff election on 13/03/2019 and again from 03/01/2025
 

Mrs Sarah Garry - Co-opted Representative. First appointed 16/10/2018 and again from 16/10/2022. Pupil Premium, Looked After Children
 

Mrs Abigayle Fisher - Parent Representative. First appointed 04/01/2021 and again from 04/01/2025. Attendance & Behaviour, Personal Development & Wellbeing, EYFS
 

Ms Caroline Sayer-Thomas - Co-opted Representative. First appointed 03/07/2025. Curriculum, Teaching & Achievement (Key Stage 1 and 2 Math focus)
 

Mr Martin Rance - Parent Representative. First appointed 15/11/2025. Safeguarding

Governor Attendance 2024/25
Raj Sagoo 5/5
Dave Stoten 5/5
Gavin Douglas 5/5
Laura Port 4/5
Tessa Payne 5/5
Sarah Garry 4/5
Abigayle Fisher 5/5 
Caroline Sayer-Thomas 1/3
Martin Rance 1/1