MAT Governance Structure
MEMBERS Chris Bell, David Gregory, Judy Storey, Kathryn Thomas GFA Ltd (Hugh Robinson Ex‐officio) (Maximum 5)
TRUSTEES Sophie Ashcroft, Roger Edwardson, John Hall, Jeff Lough, Geoff Norris, GFA Ltd Jackie Slesenger, George Snaith (Hugh Robinson Ex‐officio) (Maximum 9)
LOCAL Lesley Malthouse, Gill Milne, Geoff Norris, Elizabeth O’Mahony, GOVERNING Iqbal Syed, Dave Vero BODY Mark Harrison, Zoë Shaw (Parent rep) (GA/GJHA) Sean Blakey, Gary Hunter (Staff rep) (Hugh Robinson Ex‐officio)
NORTH GOSFORTH Michael Baxter, Joy Doble, Julie Crumbley, George Snaith, ACADEMY Mick Soulsby, Elaine Thompson ADVISORY GROUP (Steve Campbell Ex‐officio)
JESMOND PARK Sophie Ashcroft, Roger Edwardson ACADEMY INTERIM Two vacancies (Parent rep) ADVISORY GROUP Kirsty Giles, Debra Robinson (Staff rep) (Hugh Robinson Ex‐officio)
MAT Governance Structure/MAT Governance Structure/01 08 19 Gosforth Multi Academy Trust Governance Responsibilities
Members
Holding the Trustees to account / statutory and other duties
Trustees
Ultimate responsibility for the whole MAT
Committees
Delegated authority for tasks and functions from the Trustees (MAT)
Local Governing Bodies
Delegated authority for tasks and functions from the Trustees (Academy)
Advisory Groups
1) Hold school leaders to account for high standards of achievement 2) Manage the school’s financial resources 3) Provide an important link to Trustees
CEO / Executive
Executive functions
Members
Equivalent of shareholders
Company law rights
Rights under the Articles of Association
Challenge and scrutiny
“Pillars of the community”
DfE policy
Trustees
Company law directors
Charity law trustees
Ultimate responsibility for the MAT
Powers of delegation
“Captains of industry”
DfE policy What does ultimate responsibility mean?
Strategic direction, resourcing, management and administration
Safeguarding the assets
Complying with Articles, Funding Agreements and Handbooks
Complying with general law (e.g. health and safety)
Financial controls and financial management
Setting standards of conduct and values
Identifying, quantifying and systems to minimise risks
Dealing with regulators
Committees
Delegated powers and functions
Terms of reference
Majority of Trustees
Reporting and monitoring
LGBs
Committees
No Trustee majority requirement
Delegated powers and functions
Terms of reference
Unless specifically determined, not a decision making body
What does an LGB look like?
Sub committee of Trustees (usually) constituted as follows:
The Head of Academy
Trustees can agree to elect to have Parent Local Governor representation
Two Staff Local Governors (one teaching, one support)
Foundation Local Governors (if applicable)
Balance appointed by the Trustees
What does an LGB do?
Prime function – ‘critical friend’ to:
• Monitor • Encourage and • Challenge the performance and management of the Academy
To be the ‘eyes and ears’ of the Trustees on the ground
To hold the Head of Academy and senior staff to account for the quality of:
• Educational performance and and extra‐curricular provision • Operational effectiveness and budgetary efficiency • Pastoral care, safeguarding, health and safety and premises
What does an Advisory Group do?
The Advisory Group acts as critical friend to the Head of School on matters of performance; education, behaviour, attendance and staff performance.
CEO / Executive
Trustees should delegate executive powers
CEO – professional leadership, strategic management and direction
Finance Director – day‐to‐day, budget, effective systems, accounts
Accounting officer
Regularity – money spent for purpose intended
Propriety – expenditure/ receipts dealt with properly, standards of conduct/ behaviour, corporate governance
Value ‐ economic, efficient and effective use
Keeping proper financial records/ accounts
Delegation
Ultimate responsibility = necessary delegation
Delegation of power NOT a shedding of responsibility
Reserved powers
Exercise supervision
Allocation of roles to be determined by the Trustees (avoid overlap / duplication)
• How?
• Is it fit for purpose?
Obligation to review annually
Do you need training? MEMBER, TRUSTEE, GOVERNOR AND ADVISORY GROUP MEMBER INFORMATION – SEPTEMBER 2019 (INCLUDING THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED IN LAST 12 MONTHS)
Members Member Term of Name Member Responsibility Appointment Appointed by Business & Pecuniary Interests Office Dates Mr Christopher Bell Member Appointed Members of In None 19/02/18 the Academy Perpetuity Trust Mr David Gregory Chair of the Board of Appointed Original In A Trustee and Director of NECA – a charitable Members 05/11/10 (signatory) Perpetuity company limited by guarantee members NECA, Derwent Point, Clasper Way, Swalwell, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE16 3BE Mrs Judy Storey Company Member 25/10/2018 Original 19/02/18 None (signatory) members Mrs Kathryn Thomas Member Appointed Members of In None 01/09/13 the Academy Perpetuity Trust Mr Hugh Robinson Principal and Accounting Appointed N/A At cessation Daughter is employed by Gosforth Federated Officer 05/11/10 of being Academies Ltd Principal Gosforth Federated Academies Trust – Ex Officio Trustee since 19/02/18 Gosforth Federated Academies Trust ‐ Ex Officio Local Governing Body since 01/12/10 Principal since 01/09/03 Gosforth Federated Academies Trust ‐ Ex Officio Jesmond Park Academy 01/08/19
Members ‐ Continued Mr George Snaith Chair of Trustees Appointed Members of At cessation Gosforth Federated Academies Trust ‐ Chair 01/12/10 the Academy of Chair of of Trustees Trust Trustees Gosforth Schools’ Trust – Chair of Trustees until 17 January 2019 Gosforth East Middle School – Chair of Governors since 1996 Co‐opted member of North Gosforth Academy Advisory Group 22 February 2018 then became a full member on 27 June 2019 Members ‐ Historic (left within last 12 months) ‐ NONE
Trustees/Company Directors Trustee Responsibility/Committee Term of Name Appointment Appointed by Business & Pecuniary Interests Membership Office Dates Mrs Sophie Ashcroft Trustee 25/10/2018 Members of In Director of Scottish Hockey Union since June Trustees Finance and Audit the Academy Perpetuity 2017 Committee Trust Mr Roger Trustee 19/02/18 Members of In Director and owner of Roger Edwardson Edwardson Trustees Finance and Audit the Academy Perpetuity Education & Children’s Services Ltd since Committee Trust 2005 Spouse is Company Secretary of Gosforth Federated Academies since 2005
Mr John Hall Trustee 19/02/18 Members of In Gosforth Federated Academies Trust – Trustees Finance and Audit the Academy Perpetuity member of the Local Governing Body until 31 Committee Trust December 2018
Trustees/Company Directors ‐ Continued Trustee Responsibility/Committee Term of Name Appointment Appointed by Business & Pecuniary Interests Membership Office Dates Mr Jeff Lough Trustee 19/02/18 Members of In Director of Knightsbridge Court Management Trustees Finance and Audit the Academy Perpetuity Company since 2004 Committee Trust Chair of Local Governing Body of Newcastle Bridges School, Prosper Learning Trust since January 2018 Member of the Governing Body of Hawthorn Primary School since April 2017 Member of the Governing Body of Gosforth East Middle School since April 2017 Member of the LGB of Excelsior School, Laidlaw Schools Trust since March 2017
Mr Geoff Norris Trustee 19/02/18 Members of In Gosforth Federated Academies Trust – Chair Trustees Finance and Audit the Academy Perpetuity of Local Governing Body Committee Trust Mrs Jackie Slesenger Trustee 19/02/18 Members of In Honorary Secretary of Henry Slesenger & Trustees Finance and Audit the Academy Perpetuity Sons Ltd since 1970 Committee Trust Trustee of the West End Food Bank Charity, Newcastle since 2013
Mr George Snaith Chair of Trustees 01/12/10. Next Members of In Gosforth Schools’ Trust – Chair of Trustees Chair of Trustees Finance Chair of Trustees the Academy Perpetuity until 17 January 2019 and Audit Committee election is Trust Gosforth East Middle School – Chair of September 2020 Governors ‐ 1996 Co‐opted member of North Gosforth Academy Advisory Group 22 February 2018 then became a full member on 27 June 2019 Gosforth Federated Academies Trust – Ex Officio attends Members – 01/12/10 Ex Officio Trustee Mr Hugh Robinson Principal and Accounting Appointed N/A At cessation Daughter is employed by Gosforth Federated Officer 05/11/10 of being Academies Ltd. Principal Gosforth Federated Academies Trust – Ex Officio attends Members since 01/12/10 Gosforth Federated Academies Trust ‐ Ex Officio Local Governing Body since 01/12/10 Principal since 01/09/03 Gosforth Federated Academies Trust ‐ Ex Officio Jesmond Park Academy 01/08/19 Trustees/Company Directors ‐ Historic (left within last 12 months) ‐ NONE
Local Governing Body (LGB) LGB Term of Name Responsibility Appointment Appointed by Business & Pecuniary Interests Office End Dates Mr Sean Blakey Local Governing Body 01/09/2018 Elected by 31/08/2022 Father is employed by Gosforth Federated (Staff) school staff Academies Ltd Mr Mark Harrison Local Governing Body 01/01/18 Elected by 31/12/21 None (Parent) parents Mr John Hall Local Governing Body 01/01/15 Elected by 31/12/18 Gosforth Federated Academies Trust – (Staff) school staff Trustee Safeguarding Link Governor Mr Gary Hunter Local Governing Body 01/01/19 Elected by 31/12/2023 Gosforth Federated Academies Trust – (Staff) school staff Trustee
Mrs Lesley Malthouse Local Governing Body 19/02/18 Foundation/ 18/02/22 None Trust Mrs Gill Milne Local Governing Body 06/12/2018 Foundation/ 05/12/2022 Spouse is the Director of Transcendit since Trust 2000 Local Governing Body (LGB) ‐ Continued LGB Term of Name Responsibility Appointment Appointed by Business & Pecuniary Interests Office End Dates Mrs Elizabeth Local Governing Body 06/12/2018 Foundation/ 05/12/2022 None O’Mahony Trust Mr Geoff Norris Chair of Local Governing 19/02/18 Foundation/ 18/02/22 Gosforth Federated Academies Trust – Body Trust Trustee Mrs Zoë Shaw Local Governing Body 01/01/18 Elected by 31/12/21 None (Parent) parents Dr Iqbal Syed Local Governing Body 19/02/18 Foundation/ 18/02/22 Member of the Board of Trustees at Success Trust For All Mr Dave Vero Vice‐chair of Local 22/03/18 Foundation/ 21/03/22 Employed as an invigilator at Gosforth Governing Body Trust Federated Academies Ltd since May 2018. SEND Link Governor Ex Officio Governor Mr Hugh Robinson Principal and Accounting Appointed At cessation Daughter is employed by Gosforth Federated Officer 5/11/10 of being Academies Ltd Principal Gosforth Federated Academies Trust ‐ Ex Officio Member since 01/12/10 Gosforth Federated Academies Trust – Ex Officio Trustee since 19/02/18 Principal since 01/09/03 Gosforth Federated Academies Trust ‐ Ex Officio Jesmond Park Academy 01/08/19
Local Governing Body ‐ Historic (left within last 12 months) Appointment Term of Name Responsibility Appointed by Business & Pecuniary Interests Date Office End Mrs Alison Craddock Local Governing Body 19/02/18 Foundation/ Resigned None Trust 13/09/19 Mr John Hall Local Governing Body (Staff) 01/01/15 Elected by 31/12/18 Gosforth Federated Academies Trust – Safeguarding Link Governor school staff Trustee
North Gosforth Academy Advisory Group Appointment Term of Name Responsibility Appointed by Business & Pecuniary Interests Date Office End Mr Michael Baxter Advisory Group Member 02/05/2019 Foundation/ 31/12/2019 None Trust Mrs Joy Doble Advisory Group Member 03/05/2018 Foundation/ 31/12/2019 None Trust Mrs Julie Crumbley Acting Chair of Advisory 22/02/2018 Foundation/ 31/12/2019 None Group from 23/01/29 Trust North Gosforth Academy Advisory Group ‐ Continued Mr Geoff Short Chair of Advisory Group 22/02/2018 Foundation/ 31/12/2019 None until 22/01/19 Trust Mr George Snaith Chair of Trustees 01/12/10. Next Foundation/ In Gosforth Federated Academies Trust ‐ Chair Chair of Trustees Finance Chair of Trustees Trust Perpetuity of Trustees and Audit Committee election is Gosforth Schools’ Trust – Chair of Trustees Advisory Group Member September 2020 until 17 January 2019 Gosforth East Middle School – Chair of Governors since 1996 Gosforth Federated Academies Trust – Ex Officio attends Members since 01/12/10 Mr Michael Soulsby Advisory Group Member 22/02/2018 Foundation/ 31/12/2019 None Trust Mrs Elaine Thompson Advisory Group Member 27/06/2019 Foundation/ 26/06/2022 None Trust
North Gosforth Academy Advisory Group ‐ Historic (left within last 12 months) Appointment Term of Name Responsibility Appointed by Business & Pecuniary Interests Date Office End Mr Geoff Short Chair of Advisory Group 22/02/2018 Foundation/ Resigned None until 22/01/19 Trust 22/01/2019
Jesmond Park Academy Interim Advisory Group Appointment Term of Name Responsibility Appointed by Business & Pecuniary Interests Date Office End Mrs Debra Robinson Advisory Group Member 01/08/2019 Foundation/ 14/11/2020 None (Staff) Trust Miss Kirsty Giles Advisory Group Member 01/08/2019 Foundation/ 19/02/2022 None (Staff) Trust Miss Karen Miller Advisory Group Member 01/08/2019 Foundation/ Until 2 Clerk for Newcastle City Council Governor Trust parent reps Services have been appointed Mr Roger Edwardson Trustee 01/08/2019 Foundation/ 31/07/2020 Director and owner of Roger Edwardson Advisory Group Member Trust Education & Children’s Services Ltd since 2005 Spouse is Company Secretary of Gosforth Federated Academies since 2005 Mrs Sophie Ashcroft Trustee 01/08/2019 Foundation/ 31/07/2020 Director of Scottish Hockey Union since June Advisory Group Member Trust 2017
Jesmond Park Academy Interim Advisory Group ‐ Continued Appointment Term of Name Responsibility Appointed by Business & Pecuniary Interests Date Office End Ex Officio Member Mr Hugh Robinson Principal and Accounting 01/08/2019 Foundation/ At cessation Daughter is employed by Gosforth Federated Officer Trust of being Academies Ltd Principal Gosforth Federated Academies Trust ‐ Ex Officio Member since 01/12/10 Gosforth Federated Academies Trust – Ex Officio Trustee since 19/02/18 Principal since 01/09/03
Notes
In accordance with the Articles of Association the Principal, Hugh Robinson acts as an ex officio Governor but is not a Company Director.
In accordance with the EFA Financial Handbook the Finance & Audit Committee is held at Trustee level. Staff Trustees can be members of this Committee but do not participate as members when audit matters are discussed; they remain in attendance to provide information and participate in discussions.
The Committee Membership and Governor Responsibilities above were agreed in February 2018.
The following Committees meet on an ad hoc basis (available and eligible Local Governing Body/Trustees to be called upon as and when necessary) – Pupil Discipline Sub‐Group, Admissions Committee (including Curriculum Appeals), Staffing/Appointments, Staff Dismissal, Dismissal Appeals.
The Advisory Group acts as critical friend to the Head of School on matters of performance; education, behaviour, attendance and staff performance.
SUMMARY OF ATTENDANCE AT GOSFORTH FEDERATED ACADEMIES MEMBERS/TRUSTEES/GFA LGB/NGA AG MEETINGS ‐ 1 SEPTEMBER 2018 TO 31 AUGUST 2019
NGA Advisory GFA Local Trustees AGM Salaries & Perf Trustees Members Member/Trustee/ Group Governing Body Finance & Audit GFA LGB/NGA AG Meetings Out of a Meetings Out of a Meetings Out of a Meetings Out of a Meetings Out of a Meetings Out of a Meetings Out of a Attended possible Attended possible Attended possible Attended possible Attended possible Attended possible Attended possible M Atkinson (JPA AG) M Baxter (NGA AG) 2 2 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ 0 1 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ C Bell (M) ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ 1 1 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ 3 6 S Blakey (GFA LGB) ‐ ‐ 3 6 ‐ ‐ 0 1 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ S Ashcroft (T & JPA AG) ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ 2 5 1 1 ‐ ‐ 6 6 ‐ ‐ J Crumbley (NGA AG) 5 6 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ 0 1 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ J Doble (NGA AG) 6 6 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ 0 1 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ R Edwardson (T & JPA AG) ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ 4 5 0 1 ‐ ‐ 6 7 ‐ ‐ K Giles (JPA AG) D Gregory (M) ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ 1 1 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ 6 6 J Hall (T & GFA LGB) (LGB term ended ‐ ‐ 2 2 5 5 1 1 ‐ ‐ 7 7 ‐ ‐ 31 12 18) M Harrison (GFA LGB) ‐ ‐ 3 6 ‐ ‐ 1 1 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ G Hunter (GFA LGB) ‐ ‐ 2 4 ‐ ‐ 0 1 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ J Lough (T) ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ 5 5 1 1 ‐ ‐ 7 7 ‐ ‐ L Malthouse (GFA LGB) ‐ ‐ 6 ‐ ‐ 0 1 1 1 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ G Milne (GFA LGB) ‐ ‐ 1 1 ‐ ‐ 0 1 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ G Norris (T & GFA LGB) ‐ ‐ 6 6 5 5 1 1 1 1 7 7 ‐ ‐ E O’Mahony (GFA LGB) ‐ ‐ 3 4 ‐ ‐ 0 1 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ D Robinson (JPA AG) Z Shaw GFA (LGB) ‐ ‐ 5 6 ‐ ‐ 0 1 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ G Short (NGA AG) (resigned 22/01/10) 3 3 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ 0 0 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ J Slesenger (T) ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ 3 5 1 1 ‐ ‐ 6 7 ‐ ‐ G Snaith (T & co‐opted member of NGA 5 6 5 ‐ 5 5 1 1 1 ‐ 7 7 5 6 AG until full member as of 27 06 19) M Soulsby (NGA AG) 3 6 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ 0 1 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ J Storey (M) ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ 1 1 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ 5 6 I Syed (GFA LGB) ‐ ‐ 4 6 ‐ ‐ 0 1 0 1 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ K Thomas (M) ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ 1 1 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ 4 6 E Thompson (NGA AG) 1 0 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ 0 1 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ D Vero (GFA LGB) ‐ ‐ 5 6 ‐ ‐ 1 1 1 1 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐
Key (M) = Member (T) = Trustee (GFA LGB) = Gosforth Federated Academies Local Governing Body (NGA AG) = North Gosforth Academy Advisory Group (JPA AG) = Jesmond Park Academy Advisory Group
Jesmond Park Academy joined the Multi Academy Trust on 1 August 2019 and there were no meetings held until September 2019
GOSFORTH FEDERATED ACADEMIES LTD
GOSFORTH ACADEMY AND GOSFORTH JUNIOR HIGH ACADEMY
SCHEME OF DELEGATION
EFFECTIVE DATE: MONDAY 19 FEBRUARY 2018
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 As a charity and company limited by guarantee, Gosforth Federated Academies (the “Company”) is governed by a Board of Directors (the “Directors”) who are responsible for, and oversee, the management and administration of the Company and the academies run by the Company. Gosforth Junior High Academy and Gosforth Academy (together the “Academy”) is one of the academies.
1.2 The Directors are accountable to external government agencies including the Charity Commission and the Department for Education (including any successor bodies) for the quality of the education they provide and they are required to have systems in place through which they can assure themselves of quality, safety and good practice.
1.3 This Scheme of Delegation explains the ways in which the Directors fulfil their responsibilities for the leadership and management of the Academy, the respective roles and responsibilities of the Directors and the members of the Local Governing Body and the commitments to each other to ensure the success of the Academy.
1.4 This Scheme of Delegation has been put in place by the Directors from the Effective Date in accordance with the provisions of the Company’s Articles of Association (the “Articles”) and it should be read in conjunction with those Articles. References in this Scheme to numbered Articles are to the relevant clause of the Articles.
29522/2/121011122115.doc VN 3 101211 12-09-00 1
2. ETHOS AND MISSION STATEMENT
2.1 The Academy’s mission is as follows:
• ‘Create your future’ encapsulates our purpose as a Multi Academy Trust: to educate, support and nurture all of our students so they can achieve their potential and fulfil their ambitious aspirations.
• We are a dynamic and diverse Multi Academy Trust – this means we have a clear energy and purpose and all students are valued equally, regardless of their background or ability. We pride ourselves on our comprehensive, diverse intake and our inclusive approach.
• Our principal aim is to encourage high expectations and high standards of achievement, both academic and personal. Our values embrace honesty, trust, reliability, creativity, respect for the legitimate rights of others, care for the vulnerable members of society, regard for the environment and kindness towards other people.
• We believe that a safe, calm, friendly, disciplined atmosphere, in which hard work and co- operation are respected, is the best way to promote these values.
3. DIRECTORS’ POWERS AND RESPONSIBILTIES
3.1 The Directors have overall responsibility and ultimate decision making authority for all the work of the Company, including the establishing and running of schools. This is largely exercised through strategic planning and the setting of policy. It is managed through business planning, monitoring of budgets, performance management, the setting of standards and the implementation of quality management processes. The Directors have the power to direct change where required.
3.2 The Directors have a duty to act in the fulfilment of the Company’s objects.
3.3 Directors will have regard to the interests of the other academies for which the Company is responsible in deciding and implementing any policy or exercising any authority in respect of the Academy.
3.4 Article 105 provides for the appointment by the Directors of committees to whom the Directors may delegate certain of the functions of the Directors. In further recognition of the Directors’ power to delegate under Article 105, responsibility for the running of the Academy from the Effective Date will be delegated to the
29522/2/121011122115.doc VN 3 101211 12-09-00 2
committee established by this Scheme of Delegation and which shall be known as the Local Governing Body of the Academy.
3.5 The constitution, membership and proceedings of the Local Governing Body is determined by the Directors and this Scheme of Delegation expresses such matters as well acknowledges the authority delegated to the Local Governing Body in order to enable the Local Governing Body to run the Academy and fulfil the Academy’s mission.
4. CONSTITUTION OF THE LOCAL GOVERNING BODY
4.1 Members of the Local Governing Body
4.1.1 The number of people who shall sit on the Local Governing Body shall be not less than three but, unless otherwise determined by the Directors, shall not be subject to any maximum.
4.1.2 The Local Governing Body shall have the following members:
4.1.2.1 [Up to] [x] members, appointed under clause 4.2.1;
4.1.2.2 [x] staff members, appointed under clause 4.2.2;
4.1.2.3 two parent members elected or appointed under clause 4.2.5;
4.1.2.4 the head teacher of the Academy (the “Principal”); and
4.1.2.5 any additional members, if appointed by the Directors at the request of the Secretary of State of Education (the “Secretary of State”) pursuant to the Master Funding Agreement entered into between the Company and the Secretary of State governing the affairs of the Company;
4.1.3 The Local Governing Body may also have co-opted members appointed under clause 4.3.
4.1.4 The Directors (all or any of them) shall also be entitled to serve on the Local Governing Body and attend any meetings of the Local Governing Body. Any Director attending a meeting of the Local Governing Body shall count towards the quorum for the purposes of the meeting and
29522/2/121011122115.doc VN 3 101211 12-09-00 3
shall be entitled to vote on any resolution being considered by the Local Governing Body.
4.1.5 All persons appointed or elected to the Local Governing Body shall give a written undertaking to the Directors to uphold the object of the Company.
4.2 Appointment of members of the Local Governing Body
4.2.1 The Local Governing Body may appoint [up to] [X] persons to serve on the Local Governing Body, having regard to any recommendations and views of the Directors in relation to ensuring that the people serving on the Local Governing Body between them have an appropriate range of skills and experience and due attention is given to succession planning.
4.2.2 The Local Governing Body may appoint persons who are employed at the Academy to serve on the Local Governing Body through such process as they may determine, provided that the total number of such persons (including the Principal) does not exceed one third of the total number of persons on the Local Governing Body. The positions held by those employed at the Academy (e.g. teaching and non-teaching) may be taken into account when considering appointments.
4.2.3 Unless the Directors agree otherwise, in appointing persons to serve on the Local Governing Body who are employed at the Academy the Local Governing Body shall invite nominations from all staff employed under a contract of employment or a contract for services or otherwise engaged to provide services to the Academy (excluding the Principal) and, where there are any contested posts, shall hold an election by a secret ballot. All arrangements for the calling and the conduct of the election and resolution of questions as to whether any person is an eligible candidate shall be determined by the Local Governing Body.
4.2.4 The Principal shall be treated for all purposes as being an ex officio member of the Local Governing Body.
4.2.5 Subject to clause 4.2.9, the parent members of the Local Governing Body shall be elected by parents of registered pupils at the Academy
29522/2/121011122115.doc VN 3 101211 12-09-00 4
and he or she must be a parent of a pupil at the Academy at the time when he or she is elected.
4.2.6 The Local Governing Body shall make all necessary arrangements for, and determine all other matters relating to, an election of the parent members of the Local Governing Body, including any question of whether a person is a parent of a registered pupil at the Academy. Any election of persons who are to be the parent members of the Local Governing Body which is contested shall be held by secret ballot.
4.2.7 The arrangements made for the election of the parent members of the Local Governing Body shall provide for every person who is entitled to vote in the election to have an opportunity to do so by post or, if he prefers, by having his ballot paper returned to the Academy by a registered pupil at the Academy.
4.2.8 Where a vacancy for a parent member of the Local Governing Body is required to be filled by election, the Local Governing Body shall take such steps as are reasonably practical to secure that every person who is known to them to be a parent of a registered pupil at the Academy is informed of the vacancy and that it is required to be filled by election, informed that he is entitled to stand as a candidate, and vote at the election, and given an opportunity to do so.
4.2.9 The number of parent members of the Local Governing Body required shall be made up by persons appointed by the Local Governing Body if the number of parents standing for election is less than the number of vacancies.
4.2.10 In appointing a person to be a parent member of the Local Governing Body pursuant to clause 4.2.9, the Local Governing Body shall appoint a person who is the parent of a registered pupil at the Academy; or where it is not reasonably practical to do so, a person who is the parent of a child of compulsory school age.
4.3 Co-opted members of the Local Governing Body
4.3.1 The Local Governing Body may appoint up to [3] persons to be “Co- opted” to the Local Governing Body. A person who shall be “Co-opted”
29522/2/121011122115.doc VN 3 101211 12-09-00 5
to the Local Governing Body means a person who is to serve on the Local Governing Body without having been appointed or elected to serve on the Local Governing Body. The Local Governing Body may not co-opt a person who is employed at the Academy if thereby the number of persons employed at the Academy serving on the Local Governing Body would exceed one third of the total number of persons serving on the Local Governing Body (including the Principal).
4.4 Term of office
4.4.1 The term of office for any person serving on the Local Governing Body shall be 4 years, save that this time limit shall not apply to the Principal and persons who are “Co-Opted” to the Local Governing Body who shall serve for 1 year. Subject to remaining eligible to be a particular type of member on the Local Governing Body, any person may be re- appointed or re-elected (including being “Co-opted” again) to the Local Governing Body.
4.5 Resignation and removal
4.5.1 A person serving on the Local Governing Body shall cease to hold office if he resigns his office by notice to the Local Governing Body (but only if at least three persons will remain in office when the notice of resignation is to take effect).
4.5.2 A person serving on the Local Governing Body shall cease to hold office if he is removed by the person or persons who appointed him. Whilst at the same time as acknowledging that no reasons need to be given for the removal of a person who serves on the Local Governing Body by a person or persons who appointed him, any failure to uphold the values of the Company and/or the Academy or to act in a way which is appropriate in light of this Scheme of Delegation will be taken into account. A person may also be removed by the Directors but only after the Directors have given due regard to any representations by the Local Governing Body. This clause does not apply in respect of a person who is serving as a parent member on the Local Governing Body.
29522/2/121011122115.doc VN 3 101211 12-09-00 6
4.5.3 If any person who serves on the Local Governing Body in his capacity as an employee at the Academy ceases to work at the Academy then he shall be deemed to have resigned and shall cease to serve on the Local Governing Body automatically on termination of his work at the Academy.
4.5.4 Where a persons who serves on the Local Governing Body resigns his office or is removed from office, that person or, where he is removed from office, those removing him, shall give written notice thereof to the Local Governing Body who shall inform the Directors.
4.6 Disqualification of members of the Local Governing Body
4.6.1 No person shall be qualified to serve on the Local Governing Body unless he is aged 18 or over at the date of his election or appointment. No current pupil of the Academy shall be entitled to serve on the Local Governing Body.
4.6.2 A person serving on the Local Governing Body shall cease to hold office if he becomes incapable by reason of mental disorder, illness or injury of managing or administering his own affairs.
4.6.3 A person serving on the Local Governing Body shall cease to hold office if he is absent without the permission of the Chair of the Local Governing Body from all the meetings of the Local Governing Body held within a period of six months and the Local Governing Body resolves that his office be vacated.
4.6.4 A person shall be disqualified from serving on the Local Governing Body if:
4.6.4.1 his estate has been sequestrated and the sequestration has not been discharged, annulled or reduced; or
4.6.4.2 he is the subject of a bankruptcy restrictions order or an interim order.
4.6.5 A person shall be disqualified from serving on the Local Governing Body at any time when he is subject to a disqualification order or a disqualification undertaking under the Company Directors
29522/2/121011122115.doc VN 3 101211 12-09-00 7
Disqualification Act 1986 or to an order made under section 429(2)(b) of the Insolvency Act 1986 (failure to pay under county court administration order).
4.6.6 A person serving on the Local Governing Body shall cease to hold office if he would cease to be a director by virtue of any provision in the Companies Act 2006 or is disqualified from acting as a trustee by virtue of section 72 of the Charities Act 1993 (or any statutory re- enactment or modification of that provision).
4.6.7 A person shall be disqualified from serving on the Local Governing Body if he has been removed from the office of charity trustee or trustee for a charity by an order made by the Charity Commission or the High Court on the grounds of any misconduct or mismanagement in the administration of the charity for which he was responsible or to which he was privy, or which he by his conduct contributed to or facilitated.
4.6.8 A person shall be disqualified from serving on the Local Governing Body at any time when he is:
4.6.8.1 included in the list kept by the Secretary of State under section 1 of the Protection of Children Act 1999; or
4.6.8.2 disqualified from working with children in accordance with Section 35 of the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000; or
4.6.8.3 barred from regulated activity relating to children (within the meaning of section 3(2) of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006).
4.6.9 A person shall be disqualified from serving on the Local Governing Body if he is a person in respect of whom a direction has been made under section 142 of the Education Act 2002 or is subject to any prohibition or restriction which takes effect as if contained in such a direction.
4.6.10 A person shall be disqualified from serving on the Local Governing Body where he has, at any time, been convicted of any criminal
29522/2/121011122115.doc VN 3 101211 12-09-00 8
offence, excluding any that have been spent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 as amended, and excluding any offence for which the maximum sentence is a fine or a lesser sentence except where a person has been convicted of any offence which falls under section 72 of the Charities Act 1993.
4.6.11 After the Academy has opened, a person shall be disqualified from serving on the Local Governing Body if he has not provided to the chairman of the Local Governing Body a criminal records certificate at an enhanced disclosure level under section 113B of the Police Act 1997. In the event that the certificate discloses any information which would in the opinion of either the chairman or the Principal confirm their unsuitability to work with children that person shall be disqualified. If a dispute arises as to whether a person shall be disqualified, a referral shall be made to the Secretary of State to determine the matter. The determination of the Secretary of State shall be final.
4.6.12 Where, by virtue of this Scheme of Delegation, a person becomes disqualified from serving on the Local Governing Body; and he was, or was proposed, to so serve, he shall upon becoming so disqualified give written notice of that fact to the Local Governing Body who shall inform the Directors.
4.6.13 This clause 4.6 and paragraph 2 of the Appendix shall also apply to any member of any committee of the Local Governing Body who is not a member of the Local Governing Body.
5. DELEGATED POWERS
5.1 General Provisions
5.1.1 Subject to provisions of the Companies Act 2006, the Articles and to any directions given by the Members of the Company following a special resolution, the management of the business of the Academy shall be delegated by the Directors to the Local Governing Body who may exercise all the powers of the Company in so far as they relate to the Academy, in accordance with the terms of this Scheme of Delegation. No alteration of the Articles and no such direction shall invalidate any prior act of the Local Governing Body which would have
29522/2/121011122115.doc VN 3 101211 12-09-00 9
been valid if that alteration had not been made or that direction had not been given. Except as provided for in this Scheme of Delegation, the powers given by this Scheme of Delegation shall not be limited by any special power given to the Directors by the Articles or to the Local Governing Body by this Scheme of Delegation and a meeting of the Local Governing Body at which a quorum is present may exercise all the powers so delegated.
5.1.2 In general terms, the responsibility of the Directors in so far as the business of the Academy is concerned is to determine the policy and procedures of the Academy and to consider and respond to strategic issues. Whilst the Directors are free to decide what constitutes a strategic issue, having regard to all the circumstances, unless a matter is identified as a strategic issue and/or is identified as being the responsibility of the Directors under this Scheme of Delegation, the responsibility for such matter will be that of the Local Governing Body.
5.1.3 Except as provided for in this Scheme of Delegation, in addition to all powers hereby expressly conferred upon the Local Governing Body and without detracting from the generality of the powers delegated, the Local Governing Body shall have the following powers, namely:
5.1.3.1 to expend certain funds of the Company as permitted by clause 5.3 in such manner as the Local Governing Body shall consider most beneficial for the achievement of the Object in so far as it relates to the Academy and to invest in the name of the Company such part of the funds of the Company for which it has responsibility pursuant to this Scheme of Delegation as it may see fit and to direct the sale or transposition of any such investments and to expend the proceeds of any such sale in furtherance of the Object; and
5.1.3.2 to enter into contracts on behalf of the Company in so far as they relate to the Academy.
5.1.4 In the exercise of its powers and functions, the Local Governing Body may consider any advice given by the Principal and any other executive officer as well as the Directors.
29522/2/121011122115.doc VN 3 101211 12-09-00 10
5.1.5 Any bank account in which any money of the Company in so far as it relates to the Academy is deposited shall be operated by the Local Governing Body in the name of the Company. All cheques and orders for the payment of money from such an account shall be signed by at least two signatories authorised by the Local Governing Body and the Directors.
5.2 Ethos and Values
5.2.1 Whilst the Local Governing Body shall be responsible for ensuring that the Academy is conducted in accordance with its ethos and values referred to in clause 2, the determination of the Academy’s ethos and mission statement shall be the responsibility of the Directors.
5.2.2 At all times, the Directors and the Local Governing Body shall ensure that the Academy is conducted in accordance with the object of the Company, and any agreement entered into with the Secretary of State for the funding of the Academy.
5.3 Finance
5.3.1 In acknowledgement of the receipt by the Directors of funds in relation to the Academy; provided by the Secretary of State, donated to the Company and generated from the activities of the Company, the Directors delegate to the Local Governing Body the responsibility to manage and expend all monies received on account of the Academy for the purposes of the Academy [less an amount to be determined each year by the Directors [acting reasonably]].
5.3.2 Whilst the Local Governing Body shall have the power to enter into contracts on behalf of the Company in so far as they relate to the Academy pursuant to clause 5.1.3, the Local Governing Body shall first obtain the written consent of the Directors to any contracts or expenditure for any single matter above [£30,000].
5.3.3 The accounts of the Company shall be the responsibility of the Directors but the Local Governing Body shall provide such information about the finances of the Academy as often and in such format as the Directors shall [reasonably] require. [Without prejudice to the above,
29522/2/121011122115.doc VN 3 101211 12-09-00 11
the Local Governing Body shall provide monthly management accounts to the Directors.]
5.3.4 The Local Governing Body shall ensure that proper procedures are put in place for the safeguarding of funds and that the requirements of the Academies Financial Handbook are observed at all times as well as any requirements and recommendations of the Directors and the Secretary of State.
5.3.5 The Local Governing Body shall inform the Directors of any need for significant unplanned expenditure and will discuss with the Directors (and others as the Directors shall require) options for identifying available funding.
5.3.6 The Local Governing Body shall develop appropriate risk management strategies and shall at all times adopt financial prudence in managing the financial affairs of the Company in so far as these relate to the Academy.
5.4 Premises
5.4.1 Subject to and without prejudice to clauses 5.3.2 and 5.4.4, the maintenance of the buildings and facilities used in respect of the Academy is the responsibility of the Local Governing Body, who shall have regard at all times to the safety of the users of the buildings and the facilities and the legal responsibilities of the Directors (and/or any others) as owners of such buildings and facilities.
5.4.2 The Local Governing Body shall in conjunction with the Directors develop a 5 year estate management strategy that will identify the suitability of building and facilities in light of long term curriculum needs and the need for and availability of capital investment to meet the Local Governing Body’s responsibility to ensure the buildings and facilities are maintained to a good standard.
5.4.3 The responsibility for any disposals or acquisitions of land to be used by the Academy will be that of the Directors.
5.4.4 Insuring the land and buildings used by the Academy will be the responsibility of the Directors.
29522/2/121011122115.doc VN 3 101211 12-09-00 12
5.5 Resources
5.5.1 Principal
5.5.1.1 The Directors shall appoint the Principal [and key posts in accordance with the Decision Planner]. The Directors and the Local Governing Body may delegate such powers and functions as they consider are required by the Principal for the internal organisation, management and control of the Academy (including the implementation of all policies approved by the Directors and the Local Governing Body and for the direction of the teaching and curriculum at the Academy).
5.5.2 Other Staff
5.5.2.1 The Local Governing Body shall be responsible for the appointment and management of all other staff to be employed at the Academy provided that the Local Governing Body shall:
5.5.2.1.1 comply with all policies dealing with staff issued by the Directors from time to time;
5.5.2.1.2 take account of any pay terms set by the Directors;
5.5.2.1.3 adopt any standard contracts or terms and conditions for the employment of staff issued by the Directors;
5.5.2.1.4 manage any claims and disputes with staff members having regard to any advice and recommendations given by the Directors.
5.5.2.2 The Local Governing Body shall carry out the performance management of all staff (in accordance with the Decision Planner) and shall put in place procedures for the proper professional and personal development of staff.
29522/2/121011122115.doc VN 3 101211 12-09-00 13
5.6 Curriculum and Standards
5.6.1 The Local Governing Body shall be responsible for the setting and review of the curriculum but shall have regard to any views of the Directors in recognition of the Directors’ obligation to the Secretary of State to provide a broad and balanced curriculum.
5.6.2 The Local Governing Body shall be responsible for the standards achieved by the Academy and the pupils attending the Academy but shall follow such advice and recommendations of the Directors as they might issue from time to time.
5.6.3 The Local Governing Body shall be responsible for the setting and review from time to time of the Academy’s admissions policy provided that no change will be made to the admissions criteria without the written consent of the Directors.
5.6.4 Any decision to expand the Academy shall be that of the Directors but who shall have regard to the views of the Local Governing Body.
5.7 Extended Schools and Business Activities
5.7.1 Whilst the undertaking of any activities which would be described as part of the Academy’s “extended schools agenda” or any activities designed to generate business income, would be the responsibility of the Local Governing Body, this shall only be undertaken in a manner consistent with any policy set by the Directors and having regard to the viability of such activities, the impact on the Academy’s activities and any financial implications, such as the threat of taxation in light of the Company’s charitable objects and any threat to funding provided by the Secretary of State.
5.8 Regulatory Matters
5.8.1 The responsibility for the satisfaction and observance of all regulatory and legal matters shall be the Directors but the Local Governing Body shall do all such things as the Directors may specify as being necessary to ensure that the Company is meeting its legal obligations.
29522/2/121011122115.doc VN 3 101211 12-09-00 14
6. OPERATIONAL MATTERS
6.1 The Local Governing Body shall comply with the obligations set out in the Appendix which deals with the day to day operation of the Local Governing Body.
6.2 The Local Governing Body will adopt and will comply with all policies of the Directors communicated to the Local Governing Body from time to time.
6.3 Both the Directors and all members of the Local Governing Body have a duty to act independently and not as agents of those who may have appointed them and will act with integrity, objectivity and honesty in the best interests of the Company and the Academy and shall be open about decisions and be prepared to justify those decisions except in so far as any matter may be considered confidential.
6.4 The Local Governing Body will review its policies and practices on a regular basis, having regard to recommendations made by the Directors from time to time, in order to ensure that the governance of the Academy is best able to adapt to the changing political and legal environment.
6.5 The Local Governing Body shall provide such data and information regarding the business of the Academy and the pupils attending the Academy as the Directors may require from time to time.
6.6 The Local Governing Body shall submit to any inspections by the Directors to assess how well the Academy is being managed in light of the additional responsibilities and expectations of schools which are academies.
6.7 The Local Governing Body shall work closely with and shall promptly implement any advice or recommendations made by the Directors in the event that intervention is either threatened or is carried out by the Secretary of State and the Directors expressly reserve the unfettered right to review or remove any power or responsibility conferred on the Local Governing Body under this Scheme of Delegation in such circumstances.
7. ANNUAL REVIEW
7.1 This Scheme of Delegation shall operate from the Effective Date in respect of the named Academy. Where applicable, it will be based on the framework
29522/2/121011122115.doc VN 3 101211 12-09-00 15
Scheme of Delegation that will have been put in place on the incorporation of the Company and will have been attached to Company’s first Articles of Association.
7.2 Notwithstanding this being the first Scheme of Delegation to apply in respect of the Academy, the Directors will have the absolute discretion to review this Scheme of Delegation at least on an annual basis and to alter any provisions of it.
7.3 In considering any material changes to this Scheme of Delegation or any framework on which it is based, the Directors will have regard to and give due consideration of any views of the Local Governing Body.
29522/2/121011122115.doc VN 3 101211 12-09-00 16
APPENDIX
FUNCTIONING OF THE LOCAL GOVERNING BODY
1. CHAIRMAN AND VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE LOCAL GOVERNING BODY
1.1 The members of the Local Governing Body shall each school year, at their first meeting in that year, elect a chairman and a vice-chairman from among their number to serve until a successor is appointed or a vacancy occurs as envisaged in paragraph 1.3. Neither a person who is employed by the Company (whether or not at the Academy) nor a person who is at the time of election already a Director of the Company (except where such person is a Director by virtue of being the incumbent chairman) shall be eligible for election as chairman or vice-chairman.
1.2 Subject to paragraph 1.4, the chairman or vice-chairman shall hold office as such until his successor has been elected in accordance with this clause 1.
1.3 The chairman or vice-chairman may at any time resign his office by giving notice in writing to the Local Governing Body. The chairman or vice-chairman shall cease to hold office if:
1.3.1 he ceases to serve on the Local Governing Body;
1.3.2 he is employed by the Company whether or not at the Academy;
1.3.3 he is removed from office in accordance with this Scheme of Delegation; or
1.3.4 in the case of the vice-chairman, he is elected in accordance with this Scheme of Delegation to fill a vacancy in the office of chairman.
1.4 Where by reason of any of the matters referred to in paragraph 1.3, a vacancy arises in the office of chairman or vice-chairman, the members of the Local Governing Body shall at its next meeting elect one of their number to fill that vacancy.
1.5 Where the chairman is absent from any meeting or there is at the time a vacancy in the office of the chairman, the vice-chairman shall act as the chair for the purposes of the meeting.
29522/2/121011122115.doc VN 3 101211 12-09-00 1
1.6 Where in the circumstances referred to in paragraph 1.5 the vice-chairman is also absent from the meeting or there is at the time a vacancy in the office of vice-chairman, the members of the Local Governing Body shall elect one of their number to act as a chairman for the purposes of that meeting, provided that the person elected shall neither be a person who is employed by the Company whether or not at the Academy nor a Director.
1.7 A Director shall act as chairman during that part of any meeting at which the chairman is elected.
1.8 Any election of the chairman or vice-chairman which is contested shall be held by secret ballot.
1.9 The chairman or vice-chairman may only be removed from office by the Directors at any time or by the Local Governing Body in accordance with this Scheme of Delegation.
1.10 A resolution to remove the chairman or vice-chairman from office which is passed at a meeting of the Local Governing Body shall not have effect unless:
1.10.1 it is confirmed by a resolution passed at a second meeting of the Local Governing Body held not less than fourteen days after the first meeting; and
1.10.2 the matter of the chairman’s or vice-chairman’s removal from office is specified as an item of business on the agenda for each of those meetings.
1.11 Before a resolution is passed by the Local Governing Body at the relevant meeting as to whether to confirm the previous resolution to remove the chairman or vice-chairman from office, the person or persons proposing his removal shall at that meeting state their reasons for doing so and the chairman or vice- chairman shall be given an opportunity to make a statement in response.
2. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
2.1 Any member of the Local Governing Body who has or can have any direct or indirect duty or personal interest (including but not limited to any Personal Financial Interest) which conflicts or may conflict with his duties as a member of the Local Governing Body shall disclose that fact to the Local Governing Body
29522/2/121011122115.doc VN 3 101211 12-09-00 2
as soon as he becomes aware of it. A person must absent himself from any discussions of the Local Governing Body in which it is possible that a conflict will arise between his duty to act solely in the interests of the Academy and any duty or personal interest (including but not limited to any Personal Financial Interest).
2.2 For the purpose of paragraph 2.1, a person has a Personal Financial Interest if he is in the employment of the Company or is in receipt of remuneration or the provision of any other benefit directly from the Company or in some other way is linked to the Company or the Academy.
2.3 In any conflict between any provision of this Scheme of Delegation and the Articles, the Articles shall prevail.
2.4 Any disagreement between the members of the Local Governing Body and the Principal or any subcommittee of the Local Governing Body shall be referred to the Directors for their determination.
3. THE MINUTES
3.1 The minutes of the proceedings of a meeting of the Local Governing Body shall be drawn up and entered into a book kept for the purpose by the person authorised to keep the minutes of the Local Governing Body; and shall be signed (subject to the approval of the members of the Local Governing Body) at the same or next subsequent meeting by the person acting as chairman thereof. The minutes shall include a record of:
3.1.1 all appointments of officers made by the Local Governing Body; and
3.1.2 all proceedings at meetings of the Local Governing Body and of committees of the Local Governing Body including the names of all persons present at each such meeting.
3.2 The chairman shall ensure that copies of minutes of all meeting of the Local Governing Body (and such of the subcommittees as the Directors shall from time to time notify) shall be provided to the Directors as soon as reasonably practicable after those minutes are approved.
29522/2/121011122115.doc VN 3 101211 12-09-00 3
4. COMMITTEES
4.1 Subject to this Scheme of Delegation, the Local Governing Body may establish any subcommittee. The constitution, membership and proceedings of any subcommittee shall be determined by the Local Governing Body but having regard to any views of the Directors. The establishment, terms of reference, constitution and membership of any subcommittee shall be reviewed at least once in every twelve months. The membership of any subcommittee may include persons who do not also serve on the Local Governing Body, provided that a majority of the members of any such subcommittee shall be members of the Local Governing Body or Directors. The Local Governing Body may determine that some or all of the members of a subcommittee who are not Directors or who do not serve on the Local Governing Body shall be entitled to vote in any proceedings of the subcommittee. No vote on any matter shall be taken at a meeting of a subcommittee unless the majority of members of the subcommittee present either are Directors or who serve on the Local Governing Body.
5. DELEGATION
5.1 Provided such power or function has been delegated to the Local Governing Body, the Local Governing Body may further delegate to any person serving on the Local Governing Body, committee, the Principal or any other holder of an executive office, such of their powers or functions as they consider desirable to be exercised by them. Any such delegation may be made subject to any conditions either the Directors or the Local Governing Body may impose and may be revoked or altered.
5.2 Where any power or function of the Directors or the Local Governing Body is exercised by any subcommittee, any Director or member of the Local Governing Body, the Principal or any other holder of an executive office, that person or subcommittee shall report to the Local Governing Body in respect of any action taken or decision made with respect to the exercise of that power or function at the meeting of the Local Governing Body immediately following the taking of the action or the making of the decision.
29522/2/121011122115.doc VN 3 101211 12-09-00 4
6. MEETINGS OF THE LOCAL GOVERNING BODY
6.1 Subject to this Scheme of Delegation, the Local Governing Body may regulate its proceedings as the members of the Local Governing Body think fit.
6.2 The Local Governing Body shall meet at least three times in every school year. Meetings of the Local Governing Body shall be convened by the secretary to the Local Governing Body. In exercising his functions under this Scheme of Delegation the secretary shall comply with any direction:
6.2.1 given by the Directors or the Local Governing Body; or
6.2.2 given by the chairman of the Local Governing Body or, in his absence or where there is a vacancy in the office of chairman, the vice-chairman of the Local Governing Body, so far as such direction is not inconsistent with any direction given as mentioned in 6.2.1 above.
6.3 Any three members of the Local Governing Body may, by notice in writing given to the secretary, requisition a meeting of the Local Governing Body; and it shall be the duty of the secretary to convene such a meeting as soon as is reasonably practicable.
6.4 Each member of the Local Governing Body shall be given at least seven clear days before the date of a meeting:
6.4.1 notice in writing thereof, signed by the secretary, and sent to each member of the Local Governing Body at the address provided by each member from time to time; and
6.4.2 a copy of the agenda for the meeting;
provided that where the chairman or, in his absence or where there is a vacancy in the office of chairman, the vice-chairman, so determines on the ground that there are matters demanding urgent consideration, it shall be sufficient if the written notice of a meeting, and the copy of the agenda thereof are given within such shorter period as he directs.
6.5 The convening of a meeting and the proceedings conducted thereat shall not be invalidated by reason of any individual not having received written notice of the meeting or a copy of the agenda thereof.
29522/2/121011122115.doc VN 3 101211 12-09-00 5
6.6 A resolution to rescind or vary a resolution carried at a previous meeting of the Local Governing Body shall not be proposed at a meeting of the Local Governing Body unless the consideration of the rescission or variation of the previous resolution is a specific item of business on the agenda for that meeting.
6.7 A meeting of the Local Governing Body shall be terminated forthwith if:
6.7.1 the members of the Local Governing Body so resolve; or
6.7.2 the number of members present ceases to constitute a quorum for a meeting of the Local Governing Body in accordance with paragraph 6.10, subject to paragraph 6.12.
6.8 Where in accordance with paragraph 6.7 a meeting is not held or is terminated before all the matters specified as items of business on the agenda for the meeting have been disposed of, a further meeting shall be convened by the secretary as soon as is reasonably practicable, but in any event within seven days of the date on which the meeting was originally to be held or was so terminated.
6.9 Where the Local Governing Body resolves in accordance with paragraph 6.7 to adjourn a meeting before all the items of business on the agenda have been disposed of, the Local Governing Body shall before doing so determine the time and date at which a further meeting is to be held for the purposes of completing the consideration of those items, and they shall direct the secretary to convene a meeting accordingly.
6.10 Subject to paragraph 6.12, the quorum for a meeting of the Local Governing Body, and any vote on any matter thereat, shall be any three of the members of the Local Governing Body, or, where greater, any one third (rounded up to a whole number) of the total number of persons holding office on the Local Governing Body at the date of the meeting. If the Directors have appointed any additional members of the Local Governing Body pursuant to clause 4.1.2.5 of this Scheme of Delegation then a majority of the quorum must be made up of such persons.
6.11 The Local Governing Body may act notwithstanding any vacancies on its board, but, if the numbers of persons serving is less than the number fixed as the quorum, the continuing persons may act only for the purpose of filling vacancies
29522/2/121011122115.doc VN 3 101211 12-09-00 6
or of calling a general meeting.
6.12 The quorum for the purposes of:
6.12.1 appointing a parent member;
6.12.2 any vote on the removal of a person in accordance with this Scheme of Delegation;
6.12.3 any vote on the removal of the chairman of the Local Governing Body;
shall be any two-thirds (rounded up to a whole number) of the persons who are at the time persons entitled to vote on those respective matters.
6.13 Subject to this Scheme of Delegation, every question to be decided at a meeting of the Local Governing Body shall be determined by a majority of the votes of the persons present and entitled to vote on the question. Every member of the Local Governing Body shall have one vote.
6.14 Subject to paragraphs 6.10 – 6.12, where there is an equal division of votes, the chairman of the meeting shall have a casting vote in addition to any other vote he may have.
6.15 The proceedings of the Local Governing Body shall not be invalidated by
6.15.1 any vacancy on the board; or
6.15.2 any defect in the election, appointment or nomination of any person serving on the Local Governing Body.
6.16 A resolution in writing, signed by all the persons entitled to receive notice of a meeting of the Local Governing Body or of a subcommittee of the Local Governing Body,, shall be valid and effective as if it had been passed at a meeting of the Local Governing Body or (as the case may be) a subcommittee of the Local Governing Body duly convened and held. Such a resolution may consist of several documents in the same form, each signed by one or more of the members of the Local Governing Body and may include an electronic communication by or on behalf of the Local Governing Body indicating his or her agreement to the form of resolution providing that the member has previously notified the Local Governing Body in writing of the email address
29522/2/121011122115.doc VN 3 101211 12-09-00 7
or addresses which the member will use.
6.17 Subject to paragraph 6.18, the Local Governing Body shall ensure that a copy of:
6.17.1 the agenda for every meeting of the Local Governing Body;
6.17.2 the draft minutes of every such meeting, if they have been approved by the person acting as chairman of that meeting;
6.17.3 the signed minutes of every such meeting; and
6.17.4 any report, document or other paper considered at any such meeting,
are, as soon as is reasonably practicable, made available at the Academy to persons wishing to inspect them.
6.18 There may be excluded from any item required to be made available in pursuance of paragraph 6.17, any material relating to:
6.18.1 a named teacher or other person employed, or proposed to be employed, at the Academy;
6.18.2 a named pupil at, or candidate for admission to, the Academy; and
6.18.3 any matter which, by reason of its nature, the Local Governing Body is satisfied should remain confidential.
6.19 Any member of the Local Governing Body shall be able to participate in meetings of the Local Governing Body by telephone or video conference provided that:
6.19.1 he has given notice of his intention to do so detailing the telephone number on which he can be reached and/or appropriate details of the video conference suite from which he shall be taking part at the time of the meeting at least 48 hours before the meeting; and
6.19.2 the Local Governing Body has access to the appropriate equipment if after all reasonable efforts it does not prove possible for the person to participate by telephone or video conference the meeting may still proceed with its business provided it is otherwise quorate.
29522/2/121011122115.doc VN 3 101211 12-09-00 8
7. NOTICES
7.1 Any notice to be given to or by any person pursuant to this Scheme of Delegation (other than a notice calling a meeting of the Local Governing Body) shall be in writing or shall be given using electronic communications to an address for the time being notified for that purpose to the person giving the notice. In these Articles, “Address” in relation to electronic communications, includes a number or address used for the purposes of such communications.
7.2 A notice may be given by the Local Governing Body to its members either personally or by sending it by post in a prepaid envelope addressed to the member at his registered address or by leaving it at that address or by giving it using electronic communications to an address for the time being notified to the Local Governing Body by the member. A member whose registered address is not within the United Kingdom and who gives to the Local Governing Body an address within the United Kingdom at which notices may be given to him, or an address to which notices may be sent using electronic communications, shall be entitled to have notices given to him at that address, but otherwise no such member shall be entitled to receive any notice from the Local Governing Body.
7.3 A member of the Local Governing Body present, either in person or by proxy, at any meeting of the Local Governing Body shall be deemed to have received notice of the meeting and, where necessary, of the purposes for which it was called.
7.4 Proof that an envelope containing a notice was properly addressed, prepaid and posted shall be conclusive evidence that the notice was given. Proof that a notice contained in an electronic communication was sent in accordance with guidance issued by the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators shall be conclusive evidence that the notice was given. A notice shall be deemed to be given at the expiration of 48 hours after the envelope containing it was posted or, in the case of a notice contained in an electronic communication, at the expiration of 48 hours after the time it was sent.
8. INDEMNITY
8.1 Subject to the provisions of the Companies Act 2006 every member of the Local Governing Body or other officer or auditor of the Company acting in relation to the Academy shall be indemnified out of the assets of the Company against any
29522/2/121011122115.doc VN 3 101211 12-09-00 9
liability incurred by him in that capacity in defending any proceedings, whether civil or criminal, in which judgment is given in favour or in which he is acquitted or in connection with any application in which relief is granted to him by the court from liability for negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust in relation to the affairs of the Company.
29522/2/121011122115.doc VN 3 101211 12-09-00 10
THE GOSFORTH FEDERATED ACADEMIES LTD TRUSTEES DECISION PLANNER 2018 FOR GOSFORTH ACADEMY AND GOSFORTH JUNIOR HIGH ACADEMY
THIS PLANNER SHOWS TO WHICH LEVEL THE TRUSTEES HAVE AGREED TO DELEGATE SPECIFIC FUNCTIONS WITHIN THE SCHEME OF DELEGATION
Although decisions may be delegated, the Trustees as a whole remains responsible for any decision made under delegation*
Decision Level Key No Tasks 1 2 3 4 Function (Trustees) (CEO) (LGB) (Heads of school) Budgets 1 To approve the first formal budget plan each financial year 2 To monitor monthly expenditure. 3 To establish a charging and remissions policy 4 Miscellaneous financial decisions 5 To enter into contracts (Trustees may wish to agree financial limits) 6 To make payments Staffing 7 Principal appointments (selection panel) 8 Exec/Heads of School/Leadership Team appointments (selection panel) 9 Pay discretions for Exec/Heads/Leadership Team 10 Appoint other teachers 11 Appoint non‐teaching staff 12 Agree a pay policy 13 Pay discretions for teaching and non‐ teaching staff 14 Establishing disciplinary/capability procedures 15 Dismissal of Principal/Exec/Heads of School 16 Dismissal of other staff 17 Suspending Principal/Exec/Heads of School 18 Suspending staff (except Principal) 19 Ending suspension Principal/Exec/Heads of School 20 Ending suspension (except Principal/Exec/Heads of School) 21 Determining staff complement 22 Determining dismissal payments/ early retirement Curriculum (including 23 Ensure National Curriculum (NC) taught to all RE and Collective pupils and to consider any disapplication for Worship) pupil(s)
24 To implement curriculum policy
1 Gosforth Federated Academies Decision Planner 2018
Decision Level Key No Tasks 1 2 3 4 Function (Trustees) (CEO) (LGB) (Heads of school) 25 To agree or reject and monitor curriculum policy
26 Responsible for standards of teaching 27 To decide which subject options should be taught having regard to resources, and implement provision for flexibility in the curriculum (including activities outside school day) 28 Responsibility for individual child’s education 29 Provision of sex education – to establish and keep up to date a written policy 30 To prohibit political indoctrination and ensuring the balanced treatment of political issues 31 To establish a charging and remissions policy for activities (non NC based) Performance 32 To formulate a performance management Management policy 33 To establish a performance management policy 34 To implement the performance management policy 35 To review annually the performance management policy Target Setting 36 To set and publish targets for pupil achievement Discipline/Exclusions 37 To establish a discipline policy 38 To review the use of exclusion and to decide whether or not to confirm all permanent exclusions and fixed term exclusions where the pupil is either excluded for more than 15 days in total in a term or would lose the opportunity to sit a public examination. (Can be delegated to chair/vice‐chair in cases of urgency) 39 To direct reinstatement of excluded pupils (Can be delegated to chair/vice‐chair in cases of urgency) Admissions 40 To consult annually before setting an admissions policy 41 Admissions: application decisions Premises & Insurance 42 Buildings insurance and personal liability 43 Developing school buildings strategy or master plan 44 Procuring and maintaining buildings, including developing properly funded maintenance plan Health & Safety 45 To institute a health and safety policy 46 To ensure that health and safety regulations are followed School Organisation 47 To publish proposals to change category of school 48 To set the times of school sessions and the dates of school terms and holidays
2 Gosforth Federated Academies Decision Planner 2018
Decision Level Key No Tasks 1 2 3 4 Function (Trustees) (CEO) (LGB) (Heads of school) 49 To ensure that the school meets for 380 sessions in a school year
50 To ensure that school lunch nutritional standards are met Information For Parents 51 To prepare and publish the school prospectus 52 To prepare and publish the school profile 53 To ensure provision of free school meals to those pupils meeting the criteria MAT development 54 To consider requests from other schools to join the MAT 55 To leave a federation Extended Schools 56* To decide to offer additional activities and to what form these should take 57 To put into place the additional services provided 58 To ensure delivery of services provided
*Although these tasks are open to delegation under the Education (School Government)(Terms of Reference) (England) Regulations 2000, the expectation would be that these decisions would be undertaken by the Trustees.
3 Gosforth Federated Academies Decision Planner 2018
Christopher Bell – Member of the Multi Academy Trust (MAT) Board Length of Service or involvement with Gosforth Academy: I have been part of the Governing Body of Gosforth Academy since 2011 having served previously as Chair of Governors at Archibald First School since 1996.
Committee Responsibility: I have been Vice Chair of the Governing Body and have served on a number of Committees, notably Pupil Discipline, Finance and Audit and Salaries and Performance.
Business / Educational Background: I am a retired Senior Police Officer and Magistrate. I hold a First Class Honours degree in Further Education and Training from University of Northumbria.
Personal interest in Gosforth: I became very interested in school Governance whilst studying for my degree. I had acquired transferable skills from my profession to governance. My vision for Gosforth MAT is centred around the very best teaching and learning for our students and for continuing professional development for both students and staff.
Local interest: I help to fund raise for local cancer charities and have a great interest in local community projects and matters of local interest.
Vision for the future: To retain the “Outstanding” accolade enjoyed by the founding MAT schools and to extend that vision to other member schools. To appoint the very best professional staff to ensure the teaching, learning, safety and welfare of every student in our care.
David Gregory – Chair of the Multi Academy Trust (MAT) Board
Length of Service: I have been a member of the Board of Governors at Gosforth Academy for 29 years.
Committee responsibility: Chair of the Board of Members
Business / Educational background: Present: ‐ Retired from Managing Director of an Advertising, Design and Marketing Agency.
Previous: ‐ University Lecturer in Education – 9 years Teacher – 6 years
Education: ‐ MEd Newcastle University B.Sc Loughborough University B.A. Open University
Personal Interest : Initially joined the school’s PTFA and was co‐opted on to the Governing Body in 1990. My particular interests have been a) Finance and Audit (Chair of the Committee for a number of years) b) The development of school’s sports facilities (Governor Representative for the building of the Sports Centre and new sports facilities).
Local Interest: ‐ Justice of the Peace on the Newcastle / Tynedale Bench ‐ Past President of Newcastle West Rotary Club ‐ Trustee and Executive Board member of the addictions charity NECA.
Vision for the future: To continue to provide a school for the children of Gosforth and the local community that is “outstanding” in all aspect of its work and that give it’s pupils the best possible start in life.
Kathryn E Thomas – Member of the Multi Academy Trust (MAT) Board Length of Service or involvement with Gosforth: I came to Gosforth High School in 1997 as Deputy Head and worked as a member of staff for almost 15 years, retiring from my post as Vice Principal of Gosforth Academy, in 2011. I became a Member of the Academy Board in 2013.
Committee responsibility: Member of the Board of Gosforth Multi‐Academy Trust.
Career / Educational background: I taught in secondary schools in Northumberland for 22 years before coming to Gosforth High School.
I gained an Honours degree in English Language and Literature at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, followed by a Post Graduate Certificate in Education. I subsequently gained the NPQH qualification.
Personal Interest in Gosforth: I have been closely involved in recent developments in education in Gosforth, working latterly on the building of the new Gosforth Academy sports’ centre and the new Junior High. I therefore have an ongoing interest in developing educational opportunities in the area.
Local Interest: having worked in the North East of England for almost 40 years I am concerned that the North/South divide continues to be an issue and feel strongly that we must work very hard for our young people in order to overcome this.
Vision for the future: I believe passionately in a high quality environment for teaching and learning and in the importance of offering every single learner the best possible opportunities.
Judy Storey – Member of the Multi Academy Trust (MAT) Board
Length of Service or involvement with Gosforth Academy: I have been part of the governing body at Gosforth Academy (and previously Gosforth West) for 21 years.
Committee responsibility: Company Member.
Business background: Programme Management Office Manager, Department for Work and Pensions, Central Government.
Education: Benwell Comprehensive, Newcastle upon Tyne.
Personal Interest in Gosforth Academy: I was first “inducted” into the role of Governor when my son became a pupil in Year 5 in 1999 at Middle School. I have served in various roles, including Vice Chair of Governors, Company Member and on various sub‐committees.
Local Interest: Participation in school life, providing support to school in whatever way possible.
Vision for the future: For our students, via successful engagement and first class teaching, to emerge confident, ready to take their place in society and to reach their full potential; making Gosforth High and Junior High Academies schools of first choice.
Sophie Ashcroft ‐ Trustee
Length of Service or involvement with Gosforth Multi Academy Trust: I joined the MAT in October 2018.
Committee responsibility: Trustee, Finance and Audit Committee.
Business / Educational background: Marketing and communications professional with over 20 years’ experience in sports marketing. I have developed strategies for a wide range of businesses including national governing bodies of sport, private businesses, athletes and government agencies. I have held senior communications positions with British Athletics, UK Anti‐Doping and Sunderland AFC.
Personal Interest in Gosforth Multi Academy Trust: I was lucky enough to be asked to speak at the North Gosforth Academy celebration evening, which was an absolute pleasure. I was then asked to join the Trustees ‐ I am really impressed with the passion and commitment shown by all staff and pupils.
Local Interest: I previously lived in South Gosforth and now live in Whitley Bay. My husband is a teacher in the west end of Newcastle. I am actively involved in the North East business community.
Vision for the future: To support the MAT on the development of the brand, promoting the ethos of community and family within the schools – no matter which school your son or daughter goes to, they should always experience the same level of service and support.
Roger Edwardson ‐ Trustee
Length of Service or involvement with Gosforth Federated Academies Ltd: I have just joined the Trust in 2018. During the period 1984 to 1991 I was the link adviser to Gosforth High School before returning to Newcastle LEA in 1996 as the Deputy Director for Education under the leadership of Sir David Bell.
Committee responsibility: Trustee, Finance and Audit Committee.
Business / Educational background: Senior Education Consultant to a range of local authorities recently retired from Thurrock Council. Education: St Aidan’s Grammar School, Sunderland, London University, (post graduate) Reading University PGCE.
Personal Interest in GFA Ltd: I have served on various local authority committees as Director and Deputy Director for Children’s Services and since establishing an education and children’s services consultancy in 2005, I have successfully undertaken a range of consultancies often in failing local authorities as a change management consultant.
Local Interest: Having recently retired from senior management in education I am interested in supporting the development of the Multi Academy Trust (MAT) as it expands using my experience of MAT development in a range of LA’s in the last 12 years.
Vision for the future: To maximise the impact of the Trust in ensuring every child and young person is able achieve their potential. Using the expertise in the Trust, I will work to ensure every school in the federation is outstanding building on the success of Gosforth Academy.
John Hall ‐ Trustee
Length of Service or involvement with Gosforth Academy: I was first elected as the Support Staff Governor at Gosforth High School in 1992 (we became an Academy in 2011)
Committee responsibility: Trustee, Finance and Audit Committee.
Educational background: I attended St Bede’s Secondary Modern School for boys and Newcastle College of Arts and Technology.
Personal Interest in Gosforth: I have lived in the Gosforth area, and have been part of the work force in Gosforth Schools since 1987; two of my three children were part of the sixth form at Gosforth High School in the 1990s.
Vision for the future: I believe that we as a Board of Trustees need to continue to support a fully comprehensive education for all the constituents of Gosforth and the surrounding areas. Through our Federation with our Junior Academy we can enhance the whole Gosforth Pyramid of schools and help them grow.
Jeffrey Peter Lough – Trustee
Length of Service / involvement in education in Newcastle: I worked in a range of schools within the Newcastle community over a 37‐year career. This included working with learners with special needs in mainstream schools to those with significant needs, in specialist day and residential settings. Currently, I am involved in school governance in settings across Newcastle.
Committee responsibility: Trustee, Finance and Audit Committee.
Business / Educational background: Educational background. Retired Head teacher, Newcastle upon Tyne. My role as Deputy HT of EOTAS, gave me an insight into the work of the Local Authority for those children and young people who needed support outside the normal range of educational settings.
Education. B.Ed/M.Ed/DipSEN/NPQH
Personal Interest in GFA Ltd: I am Gosforth resident and see myself as a supporter of my local community. Gosforth Academy and recently GFA Ltd are very much the focal point of the Gosforth community.
Local Interest: I developed successful relationships with local networks in Newcastle and beyond (Secondary HT Network; Schools Forum; Schools Safeguarding Partnership). I was active in developing close links with PRU settings (regionally and nationally) and have chaired and presented on good practice at national conferences. I was the north‐east representative on the national Association of Elective Home Education Professionals.
Vision for the future: To see GFA become nationally recognised as an “outstanding” MAT through increasing opportunities and raising aspirations for all learners, offering the best teaching and inclusive learning environment, with higher academic results and encouraging a wide choice of career pathways for all our learners.
Geoffrey Norris – Trustee and Chair of Local Governing Body
Length of Service or involvement with Gosforth Academy: I have been part of the Governing Body at Gosforth High for 19 years.
Committee responsibility: Trustee, Finance and Audit Committee, Chair of Local Governing Body.
Business / Educational background: I am a retired Audit Commission relationship manager and inspector, a job I moved to from my post as Deputy CX at Newcastle City Council. I was educated at Manchester Grammar School, St John’s College Cambridge and University of Essex, my first degree was in economics.
Personal Interest in Gosforth: I was elected as a parent governor to Gosforth High School in 2000 and was appointed a community governor four years later. I have always been a member of the Finance Committee and more recently have been a member of the Pupil Discipline committee and Salaries and Performance Sub‐committee.
Local Interest: I have lived in Gosforth since 1978, I am a member of the Newcastle Natural History Society. I have two daughters, both of whom were educated within the Gosforth Pyramid finishing at the High School in 2001 and 2003 respectively.
Vision for the future: My aspiration is that the academy will continue to improve as a top performing comprehensive school serving the local community, providing leadership within the Gosforth pyramid, the city and the sub‐region.
Jackie Slesenger – Trustee
Length of Service or involvement with Gosforth Academy: I have been involved with the Gosforth schools for many years. Originally a Board member of Gosforth West Middle School and a Board member of Gosforth High and now on the Board of the Academy.
Committee responsibility: Trustee, Finance and Audit Committee.
Business / Educational background: I have a B.Sc in Social Studies, an M.A. In Criminology and a P.G.C.E.
I lectured in Sociology and Law at Tynemouth College and Northumberland College and was a visiting lecturer at University of Northumbria.
I served the North Tyneside Bench as a Magistrate for 20 years.
I was a Liberal Democrat Councillor on Newcastle City Council and represent West Gosforth Ward. I was first elected in 2003 and retired in June 2018.
Personal/local Interest in Gosforth: Living in the area and being involved in education I believe that I can make a valuable contribution to the progress of the school especially since I was Vice Chair of the Children and Young Persons Scrutiny Committee on the Council for several years. This gave me knowledge and experience of the management of schools and the education system. I have been particularly involved with Looked‐After Children and was a member of the Advisory Committee on the Council. Vision for the future: My vision for the future is to ensure that the Academy will continue to provide a top quality education and support to every pupil; that it will maintain its excellent standard as one of the best schools in the City.
George Snaith – Chair of Trustees
Length of involvement with Gosforth Academy: I have been part of the Governing Body at Gosforth for 18 years, firstly as a parent Governor.
Committee responsibility: Chair of Trustees, Finance and Audit Committee.
Business / educational background: Educated at Rutherford Grammar School, Newcastle College and Northumbria University. Retired after 37 years in local government, for the last 22 years working in the field of local economic regeneration and corporate policy.
Personal interest in Gosforth Academy: Both of my children attended Gosforth High School after being at Broadway East First and Gosforth East Middle schools. They both received a wonderful education and a positive start to adult life. As a result I am a firm supporter of our three tier system, our Gosforth pyramid of schools.
Local interest: I am currently chair of governors at Gosforth East Middle School and for the past year I have been chair of the board of the Gosforth Schools’ Trust.
Vision for the future: To see our educational offer continue to improve, for the academy to continue to serve Gosforth families, to be part of future educational provision for our area within our three tier system, to see the academy as a key part of the local community.
Lesley Malthouse – Local Governing Body Length of service or involvement with Gosforth Academy: I have been a school governor for approximately 19 years, I started as a parent governor at my children’s primary school, and then at GWMS, now the Junior Academy. As my children left school became a co‐opted/Community Governor.
Committee responsibility: Local Governing Body
Business/Educational background: I attended Walbottle High school, left after achieving A levels, entered the Civil Service and now work for HMRC.
Personal interest in Gosforth Academy: I have served on various governor committees, and have a particular interest in pupil discipline, and health and welfare of pupils and staff.
Local interest: I am an active member of Sport at Gosforth, and take an interest in various academy activities, time permitting.
Vision for the future: I would like to see the Academy continue to build on its current strengths, providing outstanding teaching and learning for students, a diverse and inspiring Key Stage 5 (sixth Form) Prospectus, and exploring innovative ideas to motivate, encourage, and support education and personal development for all abilities.
Gill Milne – Local Governing Body Length of Service or involvement with Gosforth Academy: Member of Gosforth Pyramid Governing Bodies since 1992 – Regent Farm First School, Gosforth West Middle/Junior High and currently Gosforth Academy.
Committee responsibility: Local Governing Body
Business / Educational background: St Oswald’s Primary, Gosforth and Sacred Heart, Fenham. B.A. Hons History Degree followed by a Post‐Graduate Certificate in Education at Sheffield University. Teacher and careers adviser in Yorkshire, France, Northumberland and Newcastle until retirement in 2017.
Personal Interest in Gosforth Academy: Worked at Gosforth West Middle/ Gosforth Junior High for 17 years.
Local Interest: Lived in Gosforth from birth until going to University aged 18. Various community activities including Gosforth Central Park TGC social running group.
Vision for the future: For Gosforth Academy and the Junior High Academy to maintain their outstanding reputations as local comprehensive schools, offering a wide range of opportunities for pupils of all backgrounds and abilities.
Elizabeth O’Mahony – Local Governing Body Length of Service or involvement with Gosforth Academy: Member of GA/GJHA LGB since December 2018.
Committee responsibility: Local Governing Body
Business / Educational background: Sacred Heart Primary and La Sagesse Convent High. Bedford PE College – B.Ed in PE and Music. Teacher since 1984 including posts at Heaton Manor, Ponteland Middle, Lemington Middle and Gosforth West/GJHA.
Personal Interest in Gosforth Academy: Worked at Gosforth West Middle/ Gosforth Junior High 2004 ‐ 2017. Two of my children attended Gosforth Junior High/Gosforth Academy.
Local Interest: Have lived in Gosforth for over 40 years. Various community activities including church music leadership, local charity fundraising and Gosforth ThisGirlCan Running.
Vision for the future: For Gosforth Academy and Gosforth Junior High Academy to maintain their outstanding status, offering a broad, balanced education to all.
Geoffrey Norris – Chair of Local Governing Body and Trustee
Length of Service or involvement with Gosforth Academy: I have been part of the Governing Body at Gosforth High for 19 years.
Committee responsibility: Trustee, Finance and Audit Committee, Chair of Local Governing Body.
Business / Educational background: I am a retired Audit Commission relationship manager and inspector, a job I moved to from my post as Deputy CX at Newcastle City Council. I was educated at Manchester Grammar School, St John’s College Cambridge and University of Essex, my first degree was in economics.
Personal Interest in Gosforth: I was elected as a parent governor to Gosforth High School in 2000 and was appointed a community governor four years later. I have always been a member of the Finance Committee and more recently have been a member of the Pupil Discipline committee and Salaries and Performance Sub‐committee.
Local Interest: I have lived in Gosforth since 1978, I am a member of the Newcastle Natural History Society. I have two daughters, both of whom were educated within the Gosforth Pyramid finishing at the High School in 2001 and 2003 respectively.
Vision for the future: My aspiration is that the academy will continue to improve as a top performing comprehensive school serving the local community, providing leadership within the Gosforth pyramid, the city and the sub‐region.
Iqbal Syed – Local Governing Body
Length of Service or involvement with Gosforth Academy: I have been a part of the Governing body at Gosforth Academy since 2008. Prior to this, I had served on the Governing body of Westgate Hill Primary School for four years. I acted as chairperson of its Finance Committee and vice chair of the Governing body for two years.
Committee responsibility: Local Governing Body
Business/Education background: I did my Ph.D. in History of South Asia from the Australian National University Canberra in 1987. I am also a law graduate from the University of the Punjab, Pakistan. I adopted teaching as a profession and taught at different post graduate institutions and in the University of Punjab. I also worked in different capacities in the education department in Pakistan including as Programme Officer with a World Bank led project to reform examination system in Pakistan.
Personal Interest in Gosforth Academy: I, along with other colleagues, endeavour to ensure that Gosforth Academy remains committed to sustaining higher standards of learning and achievement at all Key Stages.
Local Interest: I actively participate in various community groups in the West end of the city, particularly BME groups which aim to promote cohesion and social inclusion. We emphasise upon children the importance of acquiring knowledge and provide them support to overcome any barriers.
Vision for the future: I would like to see Gosforth Academy an outstanding place of learning where every child gets fair and equal opportunities to progress, flourish and achieve to his/her full potential. Children should feel inspired and motivated to excel in every walk of life.
Dave Vero – Local Governing Body
Length of Service or involvement with Gosforth Academy: I supported Gosforth Junior Academy for 4 years as a parent and was the Treasurer of the PSFA. I was a parent governor at the Academy for 4 years and am now a Community Governor.
Committee responsibility: Vice‐Chair of Local Governing Body, SEND Link.
Business/Education background: I studied for my degree at Durham University before 20 years of self‐employment in agriculture and forestry in north Northumberland. I was a teacher for 19 years and have recently retired from being a deputy head teacher in Northumberland having previously been head teacher of a small, rural first school. I still work part time in a variety of different organisations [supply teaching, care work] and I also volunteer at a foodbank and in Gosforth Central Park.
Personal Interest in Gosforth Academy: I have had a personal interest in the Academy since my youngest daughter entered the Junior Academy. Having been actively involved in the PSFA I have enjoyed being able to support the Academy as much as possible during this time.
Local Interest: Having never lived in a city before I like being able to combine the cultural and social opportunities the city has to offer, whilst still being able to walk my dogs on the Town Moor! Retirement is giving me the opportunity to take a more active role in the local community, which I am really enjoying. Vision for the future: I would like to see the Academy continue to develop and provide an outstanding and broad education for local children, whilst meeting the challenges posed by increasing numbers of pupils. The new educational facilities within the local area provide a challenge for the Academy which need to be delivered for the benefit of those who will use them in the future.
Mark Harrison – Local Governing Body (Parent)
Length of Service or involvement with Gosforth Academy:
Committee responsibility: Local Governing Body
Business/Education background:
Personal Interest in Gosforth Academy:
Local Interest:
Vision for the future:
Zoë Shaw – Local Governing Body (Parent)
Length of Service or involvement: I have been part of the Governing Body at Gosforth Academy and Gosforth Junior High Academy since January 2018.
Committee responsibility: Parent Governor
Business / Educational background: Level 3 Supporting Teaching and Learning Assistant; PR & Communications Officer for national charity, public and private sector. Education: Southgate School, London, University of Sheffield.
Personal Interest: I am a parent to three children across both schools with another to join in 2019.
Local Interest: I have been, and continue to be, a volunteer in a range of local groups and at Archibald First School and Gosforth Junior High Academy.
Vision for the future: To ensure Gosforth Academy and Gosforth Junior High Academy remains an outstanding school which caters for the needs, development and aspirations of all its pupils.
Sean Blakey – Local Governing Body (Staff)
Length of Service or involvement with GA: I have taught at GJHA for 3 years and been a governor here since September 2018
Committee responsibility: Staff Governor
Business / Educational background: Completed a Sports Degree and trained as a Primary School teacher. I have worked in different roles in primary settings across the North East and am currently one of the Y6 teachers at GJHA.
Personal Interest in Barclay: Left my previous role to join GA on supply. While on supply I worked with the KS2 team at GJHA and earned a permanent contract. Since then, I have had temporary charge of KS2 English, ran KS2 girls football team and am the school representative in the PSFA
Vision for the future: To preserve GA current ‘outstanding’ status; help maintain the fantastic array of opportunities on offer to the children who attend and raise aspirations of all children in the surrounding areas.
Gary John Hunter – Local Governing Body (Staff)
Length of Service or involvement with Gosforth Academy: I have been part of the Gosforth Federated Academies for 8 years.
Committee responsibility: Support Staff Governor
Business / Educational background: I have worked as a manager within the Education sector since 2007. Prior to this I worked in the public and private sector leisure industry for over 5 years. I hold a 2:1 Hons degree in Operational Management and I am also NEBOSH qualified.
Personal Interest in Gosforth Academy: Having worked for Gosforth Academy since 2011 I have developed a real commitment to the school. I currently sit on the school’s Marketing Committee and Sports Centre Steering Group.
Local Interest: As the Manager of Gosforth Academies Community sports centre (Sport@Gosforth), I have a real passion for providing safe and enjoyable activities for all ages and abilities. Sport@Gosforth delivers many activities in partnership with local clubs, organisations and charities which have enabled me to meet and liaise with local residents.
Vision for the future: As the school develops into a Multi Academy Trust, I would like to see the high standards of education maintained. The school must continue to deliver an environment that promotes achievement, wellbeing and community enrichment so that every child can thrive.
Michael Baxter – North Gosforth Academy Advisory Group
Length of Service or involvement with North Gosforth Academy: I joined NGA Advisory Group in May 2019.
Committee responsibility: Advisory Group Member
Business / Educational background: Director of Music & Associate Leader, Gosforth Academy. Education: Astley High School, Northumberland, University of Liverpool, Durham University (postgraduate)
Personal Interest in North Gosforth Academy: As an Associate Leader at Gosforth Academy one of my past responsibilities was leading the marketing group, involved in the strategic planning to support NGA in joining the Gosforth Academy family of schools; my current responsibility of planning staff CPD includes developing a collaborative approach between the different Gosforth Academy schools, so I have an interest in aiming for a wider and effective sharing of expertise between staff across schools.
Local Interest: I live in North Tyneside and my children attend North Tyneside schools and I used to teach in a partner school.
Vision for the future: to see NGA staff benefit from closer liaison with Gosforth Academy, sharing and developing their teaching expertise in order to raise the aspirations and opportunities of NGA students.
Julie Crumbley – North Gosforth Academy Advisory Group
Length of Service or involvement with North Gosforth Academy: I have been part of the Governing Body for Seaton Burn College for 7 years, and am now delighted to be a member of the Advisory Group for North Gosforth Academy.
Committee responsibility: Acting Chair of Advisory Group
Business / Educational background: An educator by profession, I have worked for over 30 years at Northumbria University in the Newcastle Business School as a lecturer; currently I hold a senior management role in the Faculty of Business and Law as Associate Pro Vice‐Chancellor (Knowledge Exchange). Prior to Northumbria I gained commercial experience in the Insurance, Banking, Advertising and Manufacturing sectors. I have a BA (Hons) Business Studies from Newcastle Polytechnic (now Northumbria University); Cert. Ed from New College, Durham; MEd from Newcastle University; and DBA from Northumbria University.
Personal Interest in North Gosforth Academy: I was appointed as a Community Governor to Seaton Burn College. I served on various sub committees including Post‐16 and Performance Management (Headteacher). I am particularly interested in raising student achievement and aspirations, and in post‐16 education, both vocational and academic.
Vision for the future: To see students at North Gosforth Academy benefiting from an excellent learning and teaching experience in an environment where aspirations are raised and every student has the opportunity to fulfil their potential. Joy Doble – North Gosforth Academy Advisory Group
Length of service or involvement with North Gosforth Academy: I have been the Assistant Curriculum Leader for the English Department for two and a half years. I have just been appointed Teacher Governor.
Committee responsibility: Advisory Group Member (Staff)
Business / educational background: I have been the Assistant Curriculum Leader of English at North Gosforth Academy since September 2015 when I joined the school. I also teach French at Key Stage 3, and Creative and Media to Year 9. I am the school’s NASUWT union representative; a post that I have held for the last year and a half.
Prior to joining the Academy, I spent 8 years as an English teacher at Mortimer Community College in South Shields.
Education: University of Newcastle upon Tyne, BA HONS in English Literature; Sunderland University, PGCE in Secondary Education (English).
Personal interest in Gosforth Academy: I am immensely proud to be a member of staff at North Gosforth Academy and wish to have an active role in the development and improvement of the Academy for the benefit of our staff and students.
Local interest: As a teacher in the school, I am fully invested in the education of our students beyond the academic, providing them with the support, opportunities and challenges that will enable them to succeed in all areas of their lives beyond the school walls.
Vision for the future: As the school enters a brand new chapter as part of Gosforth Federated Academies, I believe we have a unique opportunity to promote change and development for the school, its students and staff, and for its place in the community and the Federation. I want to see our students develop into confident, happy and well‐rounded individuals who have amazing futures ahead of them. I want to see our staff blossom as professionals and to be an integral part of the school’s future and within the larger Federation. I want to see our school receive the respect and recognition it deserves because of the outstanding work and effort put in by our staff and students on a daily basis.
George Snaith – North Gosforth Academy Advisory Group
Length of involvement with Gosforth Academy: I have been part of the Governing Body at Gosforth for 18 years, firstly as a parent Governor.
Committee responsibility: Advisory Group Member
Business / educational background: Educated at Rutherford Grammar School, Newcastle College and Northumbria University. Retired after 37 years in local government, for the last 22 years working in the field of local economic regeneration and corporate policy.
Personal interest in Gosforth Academy: Both of my children attended Gosforth High School after being at Broadway East First and Gosforth East Middle schools. They both received a wonderful education and a positive start to adult life. As a result I am a firm supporter of our three tier system, our Gosforth pyramid of schools.
Local interest: I am currently chair of governors at Gosforth East Middle School and for the past year I have been chair of the board of the Gosforth Schools’ Trust.
Vision for the future: To see our educational offer continue to improve, for the academy to continue to serve Gosforth families, to be part of future educational provision for our area within our three tier system, to see the academy as a key part of the local community.
Flight Lieutenant M Soulsby – North Gosforth Academy Advisory Group
Length of Service or involvement with North Gosforth Academy: Since February 2018.
Committee responsibility: Advisory Group Member
Business / Educational background: Served 25 years as a Police officer, 21 years of that on Roads Policing and within that, 17 years as a Crash Investigator. The last 11 years of service as a Sergeant and Senior Investigating Officer and Senior Crash Investigator. Prior to that I spent 8 years in the Royal Air Force as a Policeman serving in the UK, Germany and other deployments.
Local Interest: I live locally and I am currently the Commanding Officer of 861 (Wideopen) Squadron Air Training Corps. Some of my cadets attend North Gosforth Academy and it is somewhere where I have actively recruited cadets from for the last 8 years or so and is something that I wish to continue.
Vision for the future: I want to see North Gosforth Academy improve and provide the best educational arena possible for its students.
Elaine Thompson – North Gosforth Academy Advisory Group
Involvement with North Gosforth Academy: I have recently taken an interest within North Gosforth Academy as I want to help developing an upcoming Academy into an Outstanding Academy.
Committee responsibility: Advisory Group Member
Business / Educational background: Digital expert within Barclays bank. I have 22 years’ experience within various roles of finance. A recent change to infrastructure within the finance world has seen me develop my role into the digital world. I coach and support all ages digitally. I studied at Gosforth High School then went on to The School of Art and Design at Newcastle College to study merchandising.
Personal interest in North Gosforth Academy: I became interested in North Gosforth Academy as a parent. I was concerned when seeing and hearing negative comments made from parents of children who attend NGA. I want to use these comments in a positive way to develop relationships between the Academy, parents and students to build better communications and an improved environment for learning.
Local Interest: Various local community groups within Newcastle and North Tyneside including Girl Guiding UK and Newcastle Pride. I am proud to be assisting with Newcastle Pride this year which is sponsored by my employer. I fundraise annually using matched fundraising my chosen charity is North East Hearts and Goals.
Vision for the future: To see North Gosforth Academy raise its profile within the community and be the GO TO Academy of choice. We can do this by working together to improve results, increase attendance and by offering an education that is wide within its remit so children have an interest in the options available to them. I can offer support and engage, in order to raise standards within the group.