Our Local Governing Body - Academy Transformation Trust Further Education

The Role of the Local Governing Body

In order to understand the role and responsibilities of the local governing body within ATTFE College it is important to recognise that the governing body of a school that is part of a multi-academy trust, such as this one is, is very different from that of a single academy school or a community school.

The main difference is that the trust is the accountable body and ultimate decision-making body and not the local governors, or local governance tier as they are known, and it is the trustees who decide how governance works at individual academy level and what responsibilities are delegated to the local tier. The trust board can, at any time choose to remove those delegated responsibilities or change the committee structure. So, in a nutshell the local governing body is a committee of, and dependent on, the trust board for any decision-making powers.

So, what is the role of the local governing body at ATTFE College?

The local governing body is an informed local community resource with a unique local perspective and a delegated responsibility to provide challenge and support to the academy and the Trust. Local governors are the “eyes and ears” of the trustees in the local community.

In line with the trust’s Scheme of Delegation, local governors are responsible for supporting academy improvement and engaging with academy leaders and the community in order to ensure that all students reach their full potential, regardless of background or level of ability.

Fully supported by the Trust’s Governance Team and the Chair, local governors of ATTFE College are responsible for:

Knowing, understanding and challenging pupils’ overall progress and attainment. This means being clear about where the attainment gaps are, what provisions are in place to close those gaps and the impact of those provisions.
Monitoring child protection and welfare in the academy including attendance, behaviour, suspensions and permanent exclusions.
Receiving and noting summary management accounts and risk registers provided by the academy.
Hearing any appeals as part of the complaints process and sitting on discipline panels in relation to suspensions and permanent exclusions.
Evaluating their own effectiveness through the local governing body action plan, skills audit and clerk-led self-evaluation.

School visits help governors to understand more about their academy and the reality of school life. We encourage governors to take on specific roles, dependent upon their interests and visit their academy.

Being a governor is a very rewarding experience. You will be part of a team who is working to improve the life chances of children, some of whom come from very challenging backgrounds. You will learn new skills whilst giving something back to the community you live and work in. Our local Governors are committed to Transforming Lives, they give their time and energy to oversee the academy and take on a lot of responsibility. Governance is enhanced by a team from a diverse range of professional, social and cultural backgrounds, if you are interested in becoming a local community governor please get in touch with Jo Bickley our Governance Clerk.

Useful Links

LGB Meeting Attendance Register 2022-23

LGB Meeting Attendance Register 2021-23

ATT FE Register of Business Interests 2022-23

ATT FE Register of Business Interests 2021-22

Governance Scheme Of Delegation 2023-24

Academy Transformation Trust Governance

Academy Transformation Trust Company Information

Governors Virtual Office – GVO (Governors access only)

Contact the Governors

Jo Bickley, Governance Clerk

Any communication for the Governors can be made via the following:

Email: Jo.Bickley@attrust.org.uk

Telephone: Leave a message via 01623 441310

Address: FAO Clerk to the Governors, Academy Transformation Trust Further Education, Sutton Community Academy, High Pavement, Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, NG17 1EE

Meet the Governors

Martin Rigley, Chair, Local Community Governor

Term of Office: 18/09/2019 – 18/09/2027 (2nd Term) appointed by the ATT Trustees

Leadership and Management Link Governor

Martin is the Managing Director of Lindhurst Engineering. Lindhurst was founded in 1985 to provide engineering services to the UK coal mining industry. They now actively look for challenges where they can utilise their expertise in providing innovative solutions using their core skills & knowledge of fabrication, mechanical & electrical engineering. They work across a broad range of sectors; utilities, energy, transport, construction, original equipment manufacturers, food & drink and bio science. As both a resident and owner of a business in Ashfield, Martin is passionate about promoting Ashfield as a great place to run a business, live, visit, raise a family and be educated.

Since 2010 Lindhurst have been developing a fast rate anaerobic digestion system based on the concept of the microbial fuel cell. The system looks to exploit IP developed by the University of Nottingham. Martin is a Chartered Engineer, holds Eur. Ing. status (FEANI European Engineer), is a Member of the Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Materials and is a Member of the European Mentoring & Coaching Council. He is the currently a board member of both East Midlands Chamber of Commerce and Vision West Nottinghamshire College. He was awarded an MBE in the 2016 New Years Honours list for services to Business & Innovation.

Shaun Pollard, Vice Chair, Local Community Governor

Term of Office: 21/09/2022 – 20/09/2026 appointed by the LGB

Safeguarding Link Governor

Shaun has lived in Ashfield all his life. Shaun has been a Governor at the Local School since 2008 and has previously served as a Governor at 2 local Primary Schools from 1997 until recently. He is a registered Social Worker with over 30 years’ experience in frontline and Management Children’s Safeguarding. He has also been a Foster Carer since 1999.

Concerned about the education of children in care Shaun began tutoring his foster children after work and after several years decided to become formally qualified as a Teacher PGCE, QTLS. In 2013 he started a provision for children in care which has grown to become Pollyteach (now part of the Portland Charity Group). He is currently Assistant Principal at Portland College, Director and Designated Safeguarding Officer for Pollyteach and continues to teach STEM subjects (especially physics and astronomy). Shaun is currently studying a Masters in Education Management and SEN.

Alison Whitton, Local Community Governor

Term of Office: 12/07/2022 – 11/07/2026 appointed by ATT FE staff

Staff and Learner Voice Link Governor

Haroldine Lockwood, Local Community Governor

Term of Office: 18/09/2019 – 18/09/2023 appointed by the LGB

Behaviour and Attitudes Link Governor

This is Haroldine’s first term as a governor. Haroldine has lived in Sutton in Ashfield for the past 25 years with strong family roots to the town. Her daughter joined Sutton Community Academy back in 2017 and looks forward to developing her education, which Haroldine fully supports along with the schools ethos.

Haroldine also has a keen interest in the local community, which she pursues within her role as Regional Events Manager for JPIMedia where she gets the opportunity to hold awards based events and share the great stories about our people, education and businesses within it.

Kaye Burnett, Local Community Governor

Term of Office: 03/03/2022 – 02/03/2026 appointed by the LGB

PoS Link Governor

My name is Kaye Burnett and I am keen to play an active role within the Ashfield community. Within my role as a Head Teacher at Leamington Primary School, I have seen the impact contributions from Governors can have and I am keen to share my knowledge and passion for the local community to support ATT FE in realizing their ambition for the people they serve. It’s important to promote learning beyond our young people and continue to offer opportunities to develop and improve self… a learning journey is never complete.

I have two children of my own and it reassures that learning is always a possibility beyond school days. It’s important to me that people can make changes to their lives to achieve their potential in a supportive and purposeful learning environment.

Tim Brown, Local Community Governor

Term of Office: 04/02/2022 – 03/02/2026 appointed by the LGB

SEND Link Governor

Tim is a Senior Stakeholder Manager, Department for Education with a demonstrated history of working in central & local government. Skilled in Social Enterprise, Business Planning, Partnerships, Coaching, and Government policy work. He is a strong community and public services professional with extended study through the Chartered Management Institute & the Institute for Leadership & Management.