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Luminous Oak Academy

Governors at Luminous Oak Academy

The membership of the governing body of Luminous Oak  Academy is determined by the Terms of Reference.

There are three types of governors:

  • Co-opted Governors
  • Parent Governors
  • Staff Governors

Co-opted and Parent Governors are all volunteers who are not paid.  The staff governors are all paid members of staff but do not receive any additional payments in connection with being a governor. 

There is also a Governance Professional who arranges and attends meetings supporting legal and constitutional matters, but cannot vote at any meeting. This is a paid post.

Statutory information about the current governors and resignations can be found in the Governance Documents section below.

Committee Link roles are allocated in areas such as Safeguarding, Health and Safety, Quality of Education, Wellbeing to name a few, for more information about these roles please contact  sat.governance@solentacademiestrust.info

Minutes from meetings of the Academy Committee are available on request.

To contact our Chair of Academy Committee  please email:  joe.watham@solentacademiestrust.info

Luminous Oak Academy is part of Solent Academies Trust.  to view the Trust's Governance/Financial and Gender Pay Gap Reports please click this button

Acafdemy Committee (ID 1586)

  • Joe Watham - Co-Opted Governor
    Chair of Academy Committee

    Joe Watham - Co-Opted Governor

    I am an Assistant Vice Principal at a SEND Primary School. I am also a qualified performance Judo coach and have represented Great Britain competing in Judo. I enjoy competing and coaching Judo and enjoy spending time with family and friends. I enjoy walking my dog Milo and competing in equestrian sports. I aim to contribute towards the wider ethos of the school by bringing my knowledge and expertise in SEND and education to support the school community and stakeholders in delivering an outstanding education.

  • Louisa Paston
    Principal

    Louisa Paston

    Every child deserves to feel safe, understood and happy when they come to school, this belief sits at the centre of everything I do. My leadership is rooted in warmth, honesty and high expectation, and I care deeply about building trusting relationships because when children feel truly seen and valued, they flourish.

    I will officially join Luminous Oak Academy as Principal in 2026, but I am beginning early work with Solent Academies Trust so that our school opens as a place that feels welcoming, nurturing and ready for our children and families. Luminous Oak is a rare and precious opportunity to build something life-changing for children whose lives hold both complexity and remarkable potential.

    Hobbies and interests:

    When the weather is right, I love paddle boarding. I also love gardening, reading, chatting with my family who live in great holiday destinations, and going for long walks with my boys and our dog, Rosie.

    What excites me about my role:

    My connection to Solent Academies Trust is both professional and personal. As a parent within the Trust, I have seen first-hand the compassion and creativity that drive its schools.I feel truly privileged to be able to join the trust as Principal of Luminous Oak Academy. With our staff and pupils, we will develop a place where nurture and ambition sit side by side a warm, calm and purposeful community. I am excited to build a school where children feel safe, celebrated and encouraged to grow in confidence and independence, and where families feel held, welcomed and genuinely understood".

    Qualifications

    Thrive Licensed Practitioner

    NPQH

    PGCE (MFL)

    MSc Sustainability (Distinction)

    BA (Hons) French & Politics of Development

  • Simon Burt
    Co-Opted Governor

    Simon Burt

    I have been a Vice Principal for the past four years at a Bournemouth special school for primary-aged children with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs. Prior to this, I held the same role for five years at an SEMH school in Poole. My leadership responsibilities have included quality of education, curriculum and assessment, inclusion, attendance, safeguarding, and behaviour,  I am a qualified SENDCo.

    Before moving into special education, I spent nine years teaching mainstream primary schools across Weymouth, Swindon, and Poole, working predominantly in Key Stage 1, including Reception.

    I am passionate about improving the life chances of our most vulnerable children and bring over a decade of experience as a Designated Safeguarding Lead and SENDCo. I have also supported school-to-school improvement work and outreach projects, sharing best practice to strengthen inclusive provision.

    Outside of work, I am a dedicated family person who enjoys walking by the sea with my wife and dog. I am a passionate supporter of Liverpool Football Club and the England cricket team, and I enjoy reading.

    I love my role in education as it allows me to support children who have experienced a challenging start in life by providing them with the education and care they deserve. I am excited to contribute my experience in a governance capacity at Luminous Oak and to make a positive contribution to the wider community.

  • Lisa Andrews
    Co-Opted Governor

    Lisa Andrews

    I have previously been a Botley Parish Councilor and am excited to join Luminous Oak Academy Committee as a Co-opted Governor. I have recently received a diagnosis of Autism and look forward to sharing my experiences to benefit the school and its pupils.

  • Sam Leadbeater
    Co-Opted Governor

    Sam Leadbeater

    I have worked in special education for over 11 years within Solent Academies Trust.  During this time, I have had the privilege of teaching and leading in settings supporting a wide spectrum of pupil needs—from profound and complex learning needs to those with learning difficulties and SEMH. My experience spans all ages from early years through to post-16. Alongside my school leadership role, I am a Challenge Partners Quality Assurance Reviewer, regularly visiting schools across the country to review and celebrate effective practice and offer constructive developmental insights.

    Outside of work, I enjoy staying active—whether in the gym or walking in the countryside. I am a regular at live music events both locally and further afield, and I love immersing myself in new cultures, and learning to cook different cuisines. 

    I am particularly passionate about ensuring all pupils receive help from quality teaching and learning, and from curricula that are meaningful and purposeful, preparing young people well for life beyond school. I look forward to contributing to the work of the Academy Committee, supporting the school as it continues to grow and flourish, while sharing my knowledge and experience. 

 Governance Documents