Governance

Message from the New Chair of Governors

Dear Parents, Carers, and Members of the Trafalgar School Community,

My name is Claire Haque and I am honoured to have been elected as the new Chair of Governors at Trafalgar School. I follow in the footsteps of Jo Bennet, who has stepped down from the Local Governing Body (LGB) this year after years of dedicated service. On behalf of the entire governing body, I would like to extend our sincere thanks to Jo for her commitment and invaluable contribution to the school. I hope to continue her legacy and build upon the strong foundations she helped lay.

I joined the Trafalgar Governing Body in 2019 as a Parent Governor when my eldest child started at the school. I currently have a daughter attending Trafalgar, with another due to join in two years’ time – so it’s fair to say I’m deeply invested in the school, both as a parent and as a Governor.

We were incredibly proud to see the outstanding GCSE results achieved this year – the best in the school’s history! These results are a true testament to the hard work, dedication, and talent of both students and staff. Congratulations to all involved in this remarkable achievement.

Professionally, I work as a Strategic Housing Manager for a neighbouring local authority. I have a long-standing passion for safeguarding, which informs both my professional life and my work as a Governor.

As Chair, my primary goal is to support our Executive Headteacher, Mrs Copeland, and the wider Trafalgar community to ensure we provide the highest standard of education and the best possible opportunities for every pupil ensuring our core values of respect, community, resilience, aspiration and inclusion at the heart of everything we do.

The role of the Governing Body is to ensure that Trafalgar School has a clear vision, a strong ethos, and a robust strategic direction. We work to ensure that the school remains a safe, inclusive, and inspiring environment where every child can thrive. The LGB is also responsible for holding the Executive Headteacher and the Senior Leadership Team to account for the school’s educational outcomes, while also overseeing financial performance. We report to the Salterns Academy Trust Board.

As Governors, we fully support the Executive Headteacher’s ambitious vision for Trafalgar. We believe that every child deserves an outstanding education and are proud of the school’s bold, balanced, and equitable curriculum. This approach not only ensures academic success but also supports the personal development of each student – equipping them with the skills and confidence needed for future success in life and work.

The Governing Body and I look forward to meeting many of you at school events. We encourage all parents to get involved and become active members of the Trafalgar School community. We are committed to listening to the voices of students, parents, staff, and the wider community. If you have a question, an idea, or would like to get involved, please don’t hesitate to contact the school – your views genuinely matter.

You can also reach me directly at:
ChairofGovernors.trafalgar@salterns.org

Warm regards,

Claire Haque 
Chair of Governors

Your views really do matter!