The Cadmus Family of Schools is a collaborative federation of eight community schools, strategically overseen by an 11-member governing board.

Our governance framework operates through an interconnected, continuous improvement cycle: Headteachers lead operational delivery, Local Governing Committees (LGCs) provide school-level scrutiny and assurance, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) ensures federation-wide integration, and the Cadmus Governing Board (CGB) maintains strategic accountability.

This ensures that information, assurance, and accountability flow consistently across all levels, guaranteeing that every school is comprehensively supported and no institution operates in isolation.

To further strengthen our operational resilience, the federation operates a proactive, risk-focused governance model. Under this approach, the COO consolidates standardised reports to identify and mitigate emerging challenges early, enabling the Governing Board to provide strategic direction and safeguard the success of all schools within the federation.

How is Cadmus Different?

Although we are a federation with a single governing body, our unique structure is built on connections rather than a strict hierarchy.

Each school is supported by a Local Governing Committee (LGC) that provides essential school-level scrutiny and assurance, acting as a critical friend to school leadership.

While LGCs review local budgets and approve local policies within their delegation, all overarching strategic direction, statutory accountability, and federation-wide budgets are established by the Cadmus Governing Board (CGB).

This ensures a transparent system where information, assurance, and accountability move consistently from the school level to the federation level and back again, preventing isolation while supporting robust operational delivery.

What Ofsted Says About Us

March 2018

“The school has recently joined the Cadmus Federation with four other local primary schools and, as a result, the schools work collaboratively to share resources and the expertise of skilled staff.”

January 2018

“Leaders, managers and staff make good use of the available expertise within the Cadmus Federation to pursue continued improvement.”

February 2019

“The federation has also provided effective support to develop the quality of teaching through staff training, moderation, and the opportunity for leaders to learn from the best practice in other schools.”

“The school has drawn very successfully on external support, particularly through support for leadership and training.”

October 2019

“Teachers are strong in their praise of and respect for leaders of the school and the Federation”

July 2019

“The Cadmus Federation of schools has provided the school with good support. It has supported improvements in teaching and learning that have resulted in improved outcomes for pupils.”

January 2022

"The school also receives good support from the Cadmus Federation."

November 2022

 "They also appreciate the additional training opportunities and support they receive from being part of the Cadmus Federation.”

May 2023

“Governors bring skills and expertise from a range of backgrounds. They support and challenge leaders effectively.”

September 2023

Governors have a very secure understanding of the school. They know the school well and have established clear lines of accountability that ensure leaders are held to account for the progress of the school.

May 2024

Governors are regular visitors to school and have a firm understanding of its effectiveness. They provide support and challenge in equal measure.

March 2025

There is a strong vision for school improvement, and the school, federation and local authority work closely together.

May 2025

Governors and the federation have a clear understanding of the strengths of the school and the areas which need further development. They provide the school effective challenge and support and, regularly check on staff well-being. Staff appreciate that school leaders are considerate of their workload. They are highly positive about the support and professional development they receive.

March 2026

Leaders work closely with federation colleagues, sharing ideas and drawing on wider expertise. This helps them improve consistency and strengthen practice across the school.

Across the federation, governors have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities. Alongside the local governing committee, they are acutely aware of their statutory duties and ensure that these are met. They fully understand the school’s context and know its priorities well.

September 2026

Strategic oversight from the federation enables leaders and staff to benefit from wider collaboration and networking opportunities. The federation and governors provide a suitable balance of support and challenge. They meet their statutory duties and have a clear understanding of the school's performance.