Governance - The Diamond Learning Trust

Governance at The Diamond Learning Partnership Trust

Governance in the Diamond Learning Partnership Trust ensures strong accountability, strategic oversight, and a clear vision across all schools in the Trust. It enables high-quality and inclusive education for all children and supports school improvement through well-defined structures and responsibilities.

Our Trust is governed by:

Members – the guardians of the Trust’s charitable purpose
Trustees – the board responsible for strategic leadership and accountability
Executive Leaders – the CEO and Deputy CEO who implement the Trust’s strategy
Local Governing Bodies (LGBs) – which oversee individual schools

Our Governance Structure

Scheme of Delegation – December 2025

Articles of Association

Governance Handbook for Trustees and LGB Members – June 25

Trust Master Funding Agreement December 2018

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2025

Member, Trustee, LGB – Register of Pecuniary Interest 2025-2026

DLPT Board Attendance 2024-2025

Get Information About Schools (GIAS)

Members

Our Members are the custodians of the governance framework and hold the Trust Board to account for Effective Governance.

Alan Ball
Richard Conway
Greg Watson
Mark Young

Trustees

Our Board of Trustees provides:

Strategic Leadership: Defining the vision, ethos and strategy of the Trust
Accountability and Assurance: Oversight of educational performance, financial health and risk,
Engagement: Strategic stakeholder involvement including parents, communities and partners

Hazel Bell
Ian Butler
Giles Clark
Natalie Dalvarez
Kate Hollinshead
Matt Lewis
Godfrey Smith
Jamie Weatherhead
Anthony Witheyman
Mark Young

Meet our Trustees

Executive Team

CEO – Jonathan Lewis

Jonathan started in Local Government at Cambridgeshire Council as graduate trainee in 1999, qualifying as a chartered accountant in 2003 working across Social Care and Children’s Services. Jonathan joined Peterborough City Council in 2007 as Assistant Director Resources for Children’s Service, delivering an ambitious £190 million schools capital programme to support the rapidly growing population in the city and commissioning services. In 2011, he added the challenge of leading the education department and Peterborough was the most improved Ofsted authority in 2013/14 and was judged by Ofsted in March 2014 as having an “effective” school improvement service – only the second authority nationally to receive a positive outcome in this type of inspection at first inspection.

He moved to Northamptonshire in 2015 as Assistant Director (Education) before moving to the Department for Education in 2016 as Deputy Director for the Regional School Commissioner for the East of England and North East London. From 2018 to 2024, he led Education across both Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Local Authorities – overseeing 350 schools and a combined budget of around £1bn. In 2024, he started as Chief Finance and Operating Office for Diamond Learning Partnership before moving into the Chief Executive Officer role in September 2025.

Deputy CEO – Tracy Bryden

Tracy brings a wealth of experience from both the private sector and education. She began her career as a Food Technologist with H.J. Heinz before moving into financial management, where she held roles as a Branch Manager, Trainer, and Area Manager. She later established and led her own consultancy business, providing services to major financial institutions.

In education, Tracy has worked across all year groups and has played a significant role in the professional development of both teachers and students, collaborating with other schools and universities. She has held a number of senior leadership positions, including Key Stage Leader, Assistant Headteacher, Deputy Headteacher, and Executive Headteacher.

As Executive Headteacher, Tracy played a pivotal role in the planning and opening of Wintringham Primary Academy. She also led the establishment of two pre-school settings and developed an on-site Enhanced Resource Base (ERB) provision for children with SEND, specifically supporting pupils with significant SEMH needs.

Tracy represented the St Neots cluster on Cambridgeshire Primary Heads and was subsequently elected Chair, serving a two-year term. She is currently Deputy CEO of The Diamond Learning Trust alongside her role as Executive Headteacher.

Subcommittees of the Trust Board

Our Trustees sit on specialist subcommittees

Finance & Audit Committee
Standards Committee

Each committee has its own Terms of Reference and meets regularly throughout the academic year

Finance & Audit Committee Membership

Antony Witheyman – Chair
Giles Clark – Trustee
Godfrey Smith – Trustee
Jamie Weatherhead – Trustee

Standards Committee Membership

Hazel Bell – Chair
Giles Clark – Trustee
Ian Butler – Trustee

Local Governing Bodies (LGB’s)

All schools in Trust have their own Local Governing Body. LGB’s ensure:

That all children are receiving a high-quality education
That resources are deployed effectively
The schools are well-connected with their communities
Each LGB includes representatives from the school’s leadership, the parent body and the wider community

Visit the schools webpage:

Braybrook https://www.braybrookprimary.co.uk
Burrowmoor https://www.burrowmoor.net/
Glebelands http://www.glebelands.cambs.sch.uk
Gorefield https://www.gorefieldprimary.co.uk
Great Staughton http://www.greatstaughton.cambs.sch.uk
Kimbolton http://www.kimboltonprimaryacademy.cambs.sch.uk
King James https://www.kjar.org.uk
Leverington http://www.leveringtonprimary.co.uk
Middlefield http://www.middlefield.cambs.sch.uk
Murrow http://www.murrowprimary.co.uk
Roman Way https://www.romanway.herts.sch.uk
Round House http://www.roundhouseprimary.co.uk
Thomas Eaton http://www.thomaseatonschool.co.uk
Winhills http://www.winhills-cambs.co.uk
Wintringham http://www.wintringhamprimary.co.uk

Contact for Governance Enquires

Christy Fowler – Trust Operations Manager – [email protected]

Jackie Schad – Trust Governance Manager and Board Clerk – [email protected]

Trustee Resignations

Name of Trustee	Date of Appointment	Resigned
Akvile Stuart	19/09/2024	09/12/2025
Neil Roskilly	15/12/2021	30/09/2025