Governance

Avonreach Academy Trust

Board of Trustees

The Members have appointed a Board of Trustees with responsibility for managing the business of the Trust. The Board has 3 sub-committees, responsible for finance and educational standards:

 

• Pay and Performance Management Sub-Committee
• Finance and Audit/Risk Assessment Sub-Committee
• Ethos and Community Sub-Committee

 

The Board and its sub-committees meet regularly to review the progress of all the schools in the Trust to ensure that they are receiving the support they need and to set direction for the future.

 

Please click on the links below to find out more about the Board's membership and remit, including our Trustees/ Directors and Accounts and Annual Reports.

 

Avonreach Academy Trust - http://www.avonreach.org/

 

Academies Financial Handbook 2018 (see page 22) - https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/714474/Academies_Financial_Handbook_2018.pdf

The Role of the Governing Body

The Governing Body is responsible for working with the school to ensure that it delivers good quality education. 

 

Our governors aim to support the whole community of Cherry Orchard First School by using their varying skills, strengths and expertise from all walks of life to contribute to improving the governance of the school.  They work together with the Head Teacher, who is responsible for day-to-day management, to set the school's aims and objectives.

 

Their key role is to:

• Ensure clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction.
• Hold the Head Teacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the performance management of staff.
• Oversee the financial performance of the school and make sure its money is well spent.

 

Other roles of a governor include making regular visits to the school in line with the Governing Body's policy on visits and supporting the Head Teacher and staff in providing meaningful and effective learning experiences for all the children.

 

All governors are volunteers who willingly give their time to attend meetings, visit the school and meet with staff and children.

List of Governors at Cherry Orchard First School 2019/20

 

Chris Harrison (Chair of the Governing Body and Member of the Finance and HR Committee)

Date Appointed: 3 October 2019 (first appointed 19 October 2015)

Term of Office: 4 years

Appointed by: Co-opted Governor appointed by the Governing Body 

Relevant Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interests: None

Governance roles in other educational institutions: None

Meetings attended in previous academic year: 6/6 Governing Body Meetings and 5/5 Finance and Operations Committee Meetings

 

Judy McManus (Vice-Chair of the Governing Body and Chair of the Finance and HR Committee)

Date Appointed: 22 March 2016

Term of Office: 4 years

Appointed by: Co-opted Governor appointed by the Governing Body 

Relevant Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interests: Husband is employed by Orchard Primary School

Governance roles in other educational institutions: None

Meetings attended in previous academic year: 6/6 Governing Body Meetings and 5/5 Finance and Operations Committee Meetings

 

Sarah Bitcon (Head Teacher, Member of Finance and Operations Committee and Learning and Achievement Committee)

Date Appointed: 1 September 2006

Term of Office: Ex-officio as Head Teacher

Appointed by: Ex-officio as Head Teacher

Relevant Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interests: None

Governance roles in other educational institutions: None

Meetings attended in previous academic year: 6/6 Governing Body Meetings and 5/5 Finance and Operations Committee Meetings

 

Philip Carney 

Date Appointed: 15 November 2018

Term of Office: 4 years

Appointed by: Co-opted Governor appointed by the Governing Body 

Relevant Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interests: None

Governance roles in other educational institutions: Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Primary School and Blessed Edward Oldcorne Catholic College

Meetings attended in previous academic year: 3/6 Governing Body Meetings

 

Suzanne Clarke (Member of Learning and Achievement)

Date Appointed: 3 October 2019 (first appointed 4 May 2015)

Term of Office: 4 years

Appointed by: Co-opted Governor appointed by the Governing Body 

Relevant Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interests: None

Governance roles in other educational institutions: Member of Avonreach Academy Trust

Meetings attended in previous academic year: 4/6 Governing Body Meetings

 

Claire Hartley (Deputy Head Teacher and Member of Learning and Achievement Committee)

Date Appointed: 4 July 2017

Term of Office: 4 years

Appointed by: Staff Governor appointed by staff

Relevant Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interests: None

Governance roles in other educational institutions: None

Meetings attended in previous academic year: 6/6 Governing Body Meetings

 

Cheryl McCullagh 

Date Appointed: 15 November 2018

Term of Office: 4 years

Appointed by: Co-opted Governor appointed by the Governing Body 

Relevant Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interests: None

Governance roles in other educational institutions: None

Meetings attended in previous academic year: 5/6 Governing Body Meetings

 

Jayne Parker (Member of Finance and Operations Committee)

Date Appointed: 22 March 2016

Term of Office: 4 years

Appointed by: Parent Governor appointed by parents

Relevant Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interests: None

Governance roles in other educational institutions: None

Meetings attended in previous academic year: 4/6 Governing Body Meetings

 

Richard Paterson (Member of the Finance and Operations Committee)

Date Appointed: 16 November 2017

Term of Office: 4 years

Appointed by: Parent Governor appointed by parents

Relevant Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interests: None

Governance roles in other educational institutions: None

Meetings attended in previous academic year: 5/6 Governing Body Meetings and 4/5 Finance and Operations Committee Meetings

 

Beth Seale (Governor responsible for SEN and Safeguarding; Member of the Learning and Achievement Committee)

Date Appointed: 15 November 2018

Term of Office: 4 years

Appointed by: Co-opted Governor appointed by the Governing Body 

Relevant Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interests: None

Governance roles in other educational institutions: None

Meetings attended in previous academic year: 6/6 Governing Body Meetings

 

Bob Stanton (Member of the Finance and Operations Committee)

Date Appointed: 15 November 2018

Term of Office: 4 years

Appointed by: Co-opted Governor appointed by the Governing Body 

Relevant Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interests: Wife is an employee of Orchard Primary School

Governance roles in other educational institutions: Trustee of Avonreach Academy Trust

Meetings attended in previous academic year: 5/6 Governing Body Meetings

 

Lynne Williams (Member of the Finance and Operations Committee; Member of Learning and Achievement Committee)

Date Appointed: 15 November 2018

Term of Office: 4 years

Appointed by: Co-opted Governor appointed by the Governing Body 

Relevant Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interests: None

Governance roles in other educational institutions: None

Meetings attended in previous academic year: 5/5 Governing Body Meetings; 4/4 Finance and Operations Committee Meetings