Local Governance

Academy Council (Complex Needs) - Abbey Hill Academy & Sixth Form

Membership is as follows:

• The Principals of Abbey Hill Academy and Abbey Hill Academy Sixth Form attend meetings in an advisory capacity
• The Chair of the Academy Council is Chris Aitkin.

Governor resignations over the past 12 months -  Penny Walker, Co-opted Governor, resigned with effect from 27.01.23 (term of office 16.03.21-27.01.23) - Penny had declared no business or pecuniary interests.  Gill Burnett, Co-opted governor resigned wef 05.09.23 (term of office 16.03.21-05.09.23).  Gill had declared the following business and pecuniary interests - SEND Business Support Service, Sole Trader, commenced September 2021; Governor at Levendale Primary/1590 commencing September 2021; Civil Service, related to 16-19 Allocations Manager, declared from 2011.  Stan Glover, Co-opted Governor, resigned wef 17.11.23 (term of office 25.02.22-17.11.23).  Stan had declared the following business and pecuniary interests - Tees Valley Collaborative Trust, Governor, commenced 2015, Galileo Academy Trust, Governor, commenced 2016; family relationship within the Trust - daughter is Principal of Mo Mowlam Academy.

Academy Council (Archway) - Archway Academy

Membership is as follows:

There are currently vacancies for two parent governors.

• The Principal of Archway Academy attends meetings in an advisory capacity
• Chair of the Academy Council - Andrew Woolf

Governor resignations over the past 12 months -  Samantha Eyre, Parent Governor - term of office came to an end on 31.08.23.  Samantha had declared no business or pecuniary interests.

Academy Council (SEMH - Primary) - Green Gates Academy & Mo Mowlam Academy (Primary)

Membership is as follows:

There is currently one co-opted governor vacancy

• The Principals of Green Gates Academy and Mo Mowlam Academy (primary) attend meetings in an advisory capacity
• Chair of the Academy Council - Helen Dyson 

Governor resignations over the past 12 months - James Newman (Challenge Principal) - term of office came to an end on 31.12.22 (term of office 01.01.22-31.12.22).  James had declared no personal or pecuniary interests

Academy Council (SEMH - Secondary) - Hollis Academy, Mo Mowlam Academy (Secondary) & Westlands Academy

Membership is as follows:

There is currently a vacancy for one co-opted governor and one parent governor.

• The Executive Principal and Principals of Hollis, Mo Mowlam (secondary) and Westlands Academies attend meetings in an advisory capacity
• Chair of the Academy Council - Alexa Lang

Governor resignations over the past 12 months -   Verona Challinor, Co-opted Governor - term of office came to an end on 27.03.22 (term of office 28.03.20-27.03.22) - Verona had declared no business or pecuniary interests.  

Academy Council (Woodlands) - The Woodlands Academy 

There is currently one parent governor vacancy and two co-opted governor vacancies.

• The Principal of The Woodlands Academy attends meetings in an advisory capacity
• Chair of the Academy Council - Alastair Thompson

Academy Council Terms of Reference  

As detailed in the Board of Trustees' Terms of Reference, the remit of the Academy Councils is as follows:

1. An obligation to ensure high standards in all academies. 
2. Through Link Governor visits, and supported by the Trust’s Safeguarding Lead / Deputy, review individual academy safeguarding audits on an annual basis and report back to relevant Academy Council 
3. Contribute to ensuring systems are in place to ensure quality, safety and good practice.
4. Contribute to ensuring high standards of probity in the management of public funds, in particular securing value for money.
5. To evaluate, monitor and challenge academy standards and outcomes.
6. To evaluate, monitor and challenge Academy Improvement Plans.
7. To evaluate, monitor and challenge the SEFs.
8. To receive Link Governor updates.
9. To evaluate, monitor and challenge outcomes at each Academy level – this includes KPIs updates in relation to safeguarding, ie attendance, suspension/exclusion, racial incidents; SHOSASV, severe absenteeism, parent/student questionnaires and progress data.
10. To monitor and evaluate quality assurance information.
11. To evaluate, monitor and challenge implementation of the curriculum.
12. To evaluate, monitor and challenge learners’ experience in one or more academies.
13. To receive updates from School Development Partner visits for one or more academies.
14. To ensure academy website compliance.
15. In conjunction with Trustees, contribute to the estate management strategy which will identify the suitability of building and facilities in the light of long term curriculum needs and the needs for, and availability of, capital investment.
16. Follow policies for all staff, including contracts, terms and conditions as set by Trustees.
17. Contribute to Academy financial priorities.
18. To review the Pupil Premium Strategy Statements and make recommendation to the Standards Committee for approval.
19. Monitor and ensure effective use of/impact of specific targeted resources, eg Pupil Premium.
20. To provide input at Academy level as to the need for any unplanned expenditure.