Local Governing Body - Sutton Community Academy

The role of the local governing body

In order to understand the role and responsibilities of the local governing body within Sutton Community 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 Sutton Community 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 Sutton Community Academy 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

SCA LGB 2022-23 Meeting Attendance Record

SCA LGB 2021-22 Meeting Attendance Record

SCA LGB Register of Business Interests 2023-24

SCA LGB Register of Business Interests 2022-23

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: governance@attrust.org.uk

Telephone: Leave a message via 01623 980055

Address: FAO Clerk to the Governors, Sutton Community Academy, High Pavement, Sutton In Ashfield, Nottinghamshire. NG17 1EE

Meet the Governors

Pete Edwards, Chair of Governors

Term of Office: 25/02/2021 – 24/02/2025 appointed by the ATT Trustees

Leadership and Management Link Governor

Pete Edwards, who lived with parents and 5 siblings in Rossington South Yorkshire, was diagnosed with a hip condition called Perthes Disease at the age of 6 and a half. This affected his walking and he ended up in hospital for a long period, having his 1^st operation at 7. However Pete didn’t let this stop him achieving things in life.

Pete started an apprenticeship at the age of 16 with National Coal Board, this apprenticeship was to learn everything to do with mining coal, he attended college as part of this, and completed the apprenticeship at the age of 18. At the age of 18 and a half he left and went to work in a factory that built tractors, Pete was there for about 7 years doing several roles. Pete also became a Union Steward, and again went to college to study politics and trade unionism, giving his first speech at a Youth Conference in 1975. Pete returned to work at British Coal in 1980, he became a belt fitter, working his way up to supervisory mechanic. In 1989 Pete had a traumatic accident in the mine, which changed his life dramatically. He had to change jobs, moved to another colliery and then was promoted moving to Nottingham to work in 1990.

Pete was medically retired in 1993. However this was a good thing as it allowed him to retrain. In 1995 he started training for Lay Ministry within the Church of England was licensed in 1997 – 23 years on he’s still active. Sport has played a big part in his life, he played Amputee football for Yorkshire and Humberside, Swam for Sherwood Seal Swimming club then retired as a regional champion. Over the last 17 years Pete has played wheelchair basketball.

In 2001 Pete was offered a job in sports, he started as a coach in swimming and became a buddy /Mentor for a project called sport direct. He applied for the admin support role for the project, and the project helped disabled people get into coaching. After 3 months he applied for the project officer’s role and was successful, this was the start of his sports development career. He ran this project for over 3 years and in 2006 applied for the role as a sports development officer and was successful, fulfilling this role until 2017. In the 18 years he has been involved with sports development Pete achieved so much and had the privilege of working with many fantastic people and developing people and changing their lives. He’s had the privilege of sitting on many groups, boards, panels and currently chairs the Ashfield Health and Wellbeing Partnership and sits on the Ashfield Discover Board.

Glen Roberts, Vice Chair, Local Community Governor

Term of Office: 26/08/2021 to 25/08/2025 appointed by the LGB

Quality of Education, 6th Form and Careers Link Governor

Glen, a local resident, achieved his QCF6 qualification to become a Chartered Financial Planner after completing his A Levels at school. Glen spent 26 years working at Natwest bank developing a broad understanding of finance, budgets, HR policies, alongside managing and coaching colleagues. Glen also worked as the Regional Development Director at Succession Wealth. Presently Glen is the Area Manager at Wesleyan Financial Services leading a team of Financial Consultants that specialise in giving financial advice to the Education profession. Wesleyans link with the teaching profession has given Glen an insight into some of the challenges faced within schools.

Outside of work Glen enjoys offering his time to help and support local organisations. Glen has enjoyed being a trustee at the Citizens Advice in Bassetlaw and is also a dedicated volunteer with Age Concern, speaking to a telephone friend on a weekly basis.

Glen is keen to support the quality of education at Sutton Community Academy and is highly focused on making improvements.

Alexander Glasner, Local Community Governor

Term of Office: 23-11-2021 to 22-11-2025 appointed by the LGB

Health and Safety Link Governor

As the owner and managing director of Workpays, a Midlands-based employability and skills provider, I know the importance of a good education to set young people up for success. That is why I am proud to be a governor and support the area where I live.

My experience has taken me from work in Parliament in London to working in Asia and the US in Finance and Strategy. I most recently set up my own company to support local companies, like Workpays, grow and succeed. I want to bring this experience and this spirit to my role as governor. In my spare time, I love cycling and reading

Laura Knight, Local Community Governor

Term of Office: 07/06/2021 – 06/06/2025 appointed by the LGB

Safeguarding, SEND, Looked After Children and Pupil Premium Link Governor

Laura studied at the Liverpool John Moores University where she achieved her BA Hon’s Tourism and Leisure Management degree before embarking on a career at Revolution Bars PLC. Laura was a sales manager at the Revolution De Cuba Bar in Derby for over 3 years where she recruited, trained and mentored sales teams of young adults to help them succeed in the work place and progress into manager roles. Within her role Laura also ensured company targets were met, improved brand awareness and increased customer footfall through launching social media campaigns.

Laura then progressed to the Regional Corporate Sales Manager for Revolution Bars PLC where she dealt with a range of clients from high ROI sectors, created detailed reports and delivered presentations to all levels of the business. Laura particularly enjoyed networking to generate business by representing the company at trade shows, business expo events and award shows.

Laura feels that now is the time for her to give back to the community and in particular help children and young people learn and grow. Laura is passionate about ensuring that young people are knowledgeable about the positives and negatives of social media, finances and relationships in preparation for their future.

Simon Gardner, Parent Governor

Term of Office: 25/03/2022 – 24/03/2026 appointed by academy parents

Behaviour and High Expectations Link Governor

I have been running businesses as General Manager for over 25 years and am confident in being responsible for multi-million-pound budgets and large teams. I am a co-opted Governor at Brierley Forest, where I have been Link Governor for Finance and Reading. I am also Chair of Trustees for a local Charity. Any free time I have is spent with my wife and two boys, cooking, and taking my dog, Hudson, on long walks.

I have lived in Sutton for nearly 30 years but grew up in a very similar area so understand well the challenges of growing up in a deprived area. I firmly believe that we owe it to our children to give them the skills and the confidence to tackle life head-on with the ability to achieve whatever they want.

Aimee Lupton, Staff Governor

Term of Office: 27/09/2023 – 26/09/2027 appointed by academy staff

Staff Voice and Culture Link Governor