The role of the local governing body

In order to understand the role and responsibilities of the local governing body within The Queen Elizabeth Academy 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 The Queen Elizabeth Academy?

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 The Queen Elizabeth Academy are responsible for:

  1. 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.
  2. Monitoring child protection and welfare in the academy including attendance, behaviour, suspensions and permanent exclusions.
  3. Receiving and noting summary management accounts and risk registers provided by the academy.
  4. Hearing any appeals as part of the complaints process and sitting on discipline panels in relation to suspensions and permanent exclusions.
  5. 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.

JB Pic Aug 23b

Jo Bickley, Governance Clerk

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

Email: governance@attrust.org.uk

Telephone: Leave a message via 01827 712477

Address: FAO Clerk to the Governors, The Queen Elizabeth Academy, Witherley Road, Atherstone. CV9 1LZ.

Meet the TQEA Governors

Ann

Ann Webb, Chair, Local Community Governor

Term of Office: 01/07/2016 – 30/06/2024 (ATT 2nd Term) appointed by ATT Trustees

SEND and Inclusion Link Governor

I have been a Governor at TQEA since 1996, initially as a Parent Governor and currently as a Community Governor, my relationship with the school began when as a parent both my children were students here. I enjoyed the role and felt I wanted to continue to make a positive contribution to the school so I am still involved.  I have lived in the local area since 1985 and feel as a Governor I can contribute to the local community. I want to support the Academy to ensure the young people of our area have an Academy they rightly deserve, and our community can be proud of.

In my professional life I have been a teacher in neighboring schools for many years, specialising in SEND and retired from a Deputy Head role at a local Junior School. Until recently I worked part time as a SEND consultant for the Local authority supporting SENCo’s in Warwickshire. I am now looking forward to devoting more time to my other interests including my governor’s role together with enjoying my grandchildren and travelling.  I am passionate about education and believe I have relevant knowledge and experience to assist me in a governing role. Within the TQEA governing body I am currently the Chair, a role I have held since January 2019 and I have responsibility for SEND and inclusion.

Over many years, I have seen the Academy go from strength to strength, I firmly believe it is now the strongest it has ever been, and I am looking forward to further success, on our journey from ‘Good to Great.’

Tracy Treharne

Tracy Treharne , Vice Chair, Local Community Governor

Term of Office: 01/07/2020 – 30/06/2024 (2nd ATT Term) appointed by the LGB

Behaviour and Personal Development Link Governor

As Vice Chair of Governors, I support the Chair in their role.  As a Community Governor, I try to be the eyes, ears and voice of the parents of TQEA students, representing the viewpoints and interests of parents, current and potential.  As Link Governor, I work collaboratively with members of the SLT and heads of departments, in ensuring progress and development are made in relation to the curriculum framework.  I am excited to be part of the TQEA family, building and progressing in the journey of the Academy towards becoming and achieving the “Outstanding” status they deserve.

I fell into ‘children’s education’ by accident, when I set up a mother & toddler group in collaboration with North Warwickshire Community Education. I attended University of Warwick to gain a BA in both Childhood Development, and in Early Childhood Education. For 19 years I was a Learning Support Assistant (LSA) at a local primary school – which is also one of the main feeder schools of TQEA – working with children aged 4 to 11 years. For the most part, supporting children’s learning in KS2; my interest and strengths lay in Maths and PE. Currently however after leaving the classroom environment, I am now a Deputy Exams Officer in a local college.  I have three children who have all attended TQEA. All achieved good GCSE grades enabling them to progress on to college to further their education taking them into the working environment equipped with skills they needed to be successful.  I am actively involved with Wendy Morton Academy of Dance (WMA). I support the Academy’s Dance Principal at the annual dance show as part of the stage management team, and I am also a member of the Atherstone Dance Festival organising committee, affiliated with WMA, which is held at TQEA.

Angie

Angela Parsons, Local Community Governor

Term of Office: 06/07/2020 – 05/07/2024 appointed by the LGB

Staff Link Governor

I am delighted to be a governor at TQEA. I have many years of experience in supportive challenge of school leadership – I was previously Vice Chair of Governors at Racemeadow Primary Academy. In my spare time I enjoy live music and festivals. I also love baking and cooking. I am currently studying brain development and psychology.

I have three children, one who is grown up and married and two who have recently moved on to higher education after attending TQEA. I have worked at TQEA since 2007, I am a Head of Year in the Pastoral Team and Deputy DSL. I also have links to Warwickshire’s Area Behaviour Partnership and have worked with some of the most vulnerable children in the county.

I am passionate about mental health in both adults and children.

Craig

Craig Bird , Local Parent Governor

Term of Office: 14/01/2022 – 13/01/2026 appointed by academy parents

Pupil Premium Link Governor

I have worked in and around Young People for the last 20 years or so as a School Chaplain / Hub Leader / Youth Director. Having moved to Atherstone in 2015, my wife (and our 3 children) love this town and its people and want to make a real difference. Together we run a local charity called Restore Collective which enables people to thrive.

I hope that my experiences will contribute to and benefit TQEA students and their families.

Dee

Dee Stanton , Local Community Governor

Term of Office: 02/10/2023 – 01/10/2027 appointed by the LGB

Safeguarding Link Governor

I am a mother of three children; one daughter at college, one daughter doing GCSEs at the school and one little boy at a nearby primary school. I have worked in education since 2002 and am currently a Vice Principle at a secondary school.

I firmly believe that a child’s educational experience is strengthened when the school, parents and community come together and support each other, it is the reason for my application, to support the community in which I reside and to help the school continue to go from strength to strength.  I have expertise in teaching and learning, staff development and am currently leading pastoral structures across the school with a focus on behaviour for learning, culture and safeguarding.

I love working in education and appreciate more than ever the efforts of all educational staff in supporting our young people to become responsible young adults. As well as a continuous drive on academic excellence, the school also enhances the wider skills, focusing on their character development through the range of extra experiences it offers them.

Jill Thomas

Jill Thomas , Local Community Governor

Term of Office: 13/12/2021 – 12/12/2025 appointed by the LGB

Pupil Voice Link Governor

Having been a teacher until I recently retired I have always been interested in education and ensuring that young people are given the opportunities to believe, achieve and succeed in whatever they do. I have lived in the local community of Atherstone since 1978 and feel that as a governor I will be able to give something back and make a positive contribution to help.  Throughout this period I have worked in all three local primary schools, starting my career at Atherstone South Middle School and returning later when it was Outwoods Junior School. I have also worked in a SEND advisory capacity at St Benedict’s Catholic Academy and covered on many occasions at Racemeadow Primary School. I also served on the governing body for many years when working in Polesworth, worked at a large primary school in Nuneaton and taught games at Twycross. My whole teaching career has been spent within the local North Warwickshire area.

I have been involved with Atherstone Adders Hockey Club for thirty plus years and am currently Junior Manager and play for the Ladies section. I am keen on keeping active so try to do regular exercise.  My hockey club has hired out the astro facility at the school since it was built ten years ago so I have always felt a small part of the set up at TQEA through that and I look forward to being a part of the journey that sees the school further develop and prosper whilst being a great environment for our young people to be proud to be a part of.

Kat

Kate Rowan, Local Staff Governor

Term of Office: 06/07/2020 – 05/07/2024 appointed by academy staff

Staff Link Governor

I have worked as a teacher sine 2005, and moved to become Head of Science at TQEA in 2016; having worked at a number of different schools in different roles.  During my time the department has moved from strength to strength and are now held up as a good example in the school. I have worked in various teaching groups, and supported other departments with assessments and tracking students. I have also represented TQEA at teacher conferences, delivering sessions on assessment methods and feedback.  Outside of school, I enjoy boxing and running.

I am looking forward to representing the staff and working closely with the Governors in order to ensure that all children benefit from excellent teaching and learning; as well as looking after the welfare of our students – particularly in these challenging times.  I also strongly believe that when we look after those who educate our children, no matter their role, we get the best out of everyone.

Michael

Michael Brandsma , Local Community Governor

Term of Office: 30/06/2020 – 29/06/2024 appointed by the LGB

Careers and Diversity Link Governor

I am the vicar at St Mary’s Atherstone. I am married to Sybil and we have 4 children and 4 grandchildren. We moved to Atherstone in May 2014 when I was offered the post at St Mary’s.  I moved to England in 2008 from Durban in South Africa and we were based in Warwick before moving to Bristol. The community of Atherstone has been very supportive of the work that we at St Mary’s are doing to open up the building as a venue for a variety of community uses.

I currently participate in the assemblies at both Racemeadow and Outwoods Schools and have had various links to with TQEA. I am also the chaplain to Atherstone & District Scouts Association.  I believe that if a community nurtures its children with good foundations they will make the world a better place.

During the time that I have been in Atherstone I have seen the progress of the TQEA transition and the positive impression the pupils are portraying on the town. I look forward to continuing my association with TQEA.

SaraBishop PortraitWEB

Sara Bishop, Local Community Governor

Term of Office: 15/12/2021 – 14/12/2025 appointed by the LGB

Mental Health and Wellbeing Link Governor

In my early professional career I worked as a Legal Executive for the British Gas Corporation in Leicester. After I got married I completed a Bachelor of Education Degree as a mature student in Essex before moving to Atherstone in 1988.  During the time I was bringing up my family I worked in a number of local primary schools doing supply teaching and taking on short term contracts. When my youngest child went to school I began a permanent teaching role at Atherstone North Middle, which later merged with the neighbouring first school to become Racemeadow Primary.  Whilst there I became the teacher representative on the governing body. During my time at Racemeadow I was recruited by Warwickshire as a Leading Maths Teacher, doing demonstration lessons and supporting the professional development of other teaching colleagues. After moving to teach at Wembrook Primary School in Nuneaton, I was then recruited as a Numeracy Adviser working for Warwickshire LA in its School Advisory Service.

Over the next decade I became a School Improvement Advisor working in primary schools throughout Warwickshire. Then later, having become an independent educational consultant, I worked with the University of Northampton and Oxford University Press. I have most recently worked as a self-employed artist and community art tutor, but am now retired. I continue to pursue my interest in art as a hobby.  Living locally two of my daughters are former pupils of Queen Elizabeth having completed their secondary education at the school. Both of them went on to follow degree courses at university. I have a real interest in both education and the local community. I became a Town Councillor in May 2015. I want to help in giving local children the best possible opportunities in terms of both their educational experience and their future life prospects. Being a Governor, I hope that I can support and contribute towards the continuing success of TQEA, its staff and pupils.

Ted Walker

Ted Walker, Local Community Governor

Term of Office: 01/07/2016 – 30/06/2024 (2nd ATT Term) appointed by the LGB

Quality of Education Link Governor

I am a school improvement professional, monitoring quality of education and co-ordinating school support where needed in his current role. I have experience of working with both local authority schools and academies with 20+ years’ experience of teaching and leadership within schools across all sectors, undertaking various pastoral and curriculum roles in boarding schools, a City Technology College and in an academy leadership team.

I have led a partnership delivering a large vocational learning programme and co-ordinated schools working together to maximise the impact of arts funding on learning. I am interested in the potential of technology transforming education, e-learning and creative teaching across the curriculum.  I enjoy supporting teachers in improving their practice through effective coaching and embedding a culture of pupil focused, personalised learning.