Governors
and Trustees
The Garwood Foundation (Charity) was established in 1952 and has been providing a range of services for children and adults with disabilities in Croydon and surrounding boroughs, across several sites located in Croydon, Greater London.
The objects of the charity are to promote the care, welfare, interest, treatment and advancement of education of adults and children having cerebral palsy and other profound, multiple, acquired or other disabilities.
The foundation currently operates the following services:
• Rutherford School (PMLD school & Life Skills Centre for pupils and students aged 16-25yrs)
• Jean Garwood House (Residential home for disabled adults)
• Bramley Hill Day Centre (Day service for disabled adults)
• Charity Shops (South Croydon and Addiscombe)
Our highly unique curriculum is designed to provide education in an integrated manner incorporating learning, therapy and health needs for our pupils and students.
Our aim is to provide inclusive education to learners whose very special needs are compounded by a high level of dependency and who require very specialised management for physical disabilities, sensory impairment and complex medical needs. Our holistic approach facilitates learning that is supported and managed by a specialist range of therapies which address physical disabilities, sensory impairments, and complex medical needs.
Charity Structure
Charity Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees has overall control of the Charity, its property and funds. The Trustees meet as a full Board at least 10 times a year. Its principal committees are:
• Finance and Audit
• Capital projects
The Trustees are recruited from a range of backgrounds and professions with the aim of providing a balanced and relevant spread of skills and experience on the Board. The current Board includes depth of skills in finance, HR, building, law, and compliance, as well as direct experience of a parent whose daughter uses the Charity’s services.
The Director of Services report provides a summary at Board Meeting of relevant developments across the Charity’s service centres, shops and properties. It also includes maintenance and fundraising as well as political and economic issues. The Trustees are alerted to new Charity Commission guidance, other relevant alerts and to new regulatory requirements with training provided as required.
For more information on our services visit the Garwood website.
Board of Governors
The Trustee Board is supported by a Board of Governors, which has a distinct and separate identity from that of the Trustees. The Governors are responsible for securing the effective and efficient operation and management of Rutherford School.
The Scheme of Delegation sets out formally the powers delegated by the Trustees to the Governing Board, the terms on which they are delegated and reporting requirements.
To ensure good communication between the two Boards, yet maintain some distinction and independence, the Chair of the Governing Board is a Trustee and at least two individuals serve on both Boards. The Governing Board fulfils the responsibilities of the Governing Body of the Charity’s non maintained special school and includes elected parent and staff representatives.
Ad Hoc committees are established, from time to time, to address specific issues.
The head of School’s report provides a summary at Governing Body Meetings of relevant developments across the school, it also includes budget performance, health & safety and maintenance updates. The Governors are alerted to other relevant Education or Local Authority alerts or new regulatory requirements.
Meet our School Governors
Frank Newton
Gemma Thomson, Staff Governor
Keith Minear
Michaela Mahon, Parent Governor
Nick Somers, Governor
Suzanna Bance, Headteacher
Principle Office: 1a Melville Avenue, South Croydon, Surrey, CR2 7HZ
Telephone number: 020 8688 7560
Chair of Governors: franknewton999@icloud.com