AtC Governance and Leadership Structure
AtC Members
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Members have ultimate control over the MAT. They agree the Articles of Association that define the charitable purpose and how AtC will run, and approve amendments to the Articles.
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Members appoint up to 6 Trustees, and remove them if necessary.
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Members receive the company accounts and the annual report. They appoint the external auditor on an annual basis.
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The liability of members is limited to £10.
AtC Trustees
(Chair: Dave Hollings)
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The Trustees of AtC are accountable for the performance of the schools in the Trust.
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All trustees are expected to serve the interests of all schools in AtC as mandated in the ‘Objects’ set out in the Articles of Association.
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Trustees are company directors and must comply with charity and company law requirements and the Trust funding agreement. They must also ensure that AtC complies in the same way.
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Trustees ordinarily serve for four years and the Board meets at least 3 times per year.
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Members appointed Trustees can co-opt further Trustees to the Board
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Standards Committee
(Chair: Shanaz Hussain)
The standards committee has a strategic role, acting as a critical friend to the Trust’s executive and those invited to attend meetings. Trustees approve the co-option of non-directors onto the committee to provide additional support and areas of expertise where appropriate in line with the articles. Co-opted non-director members do not have a vote in transactions.
The role of the standards committee is to assess the performance of each of our schools in relation to the goals that have been set. This includes
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An evaluation of the curriculum including the quality of education being provided and the outcomes pupils achieve.
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The personal development of pupils and how well each school meets the needs of its pupils.
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Whether safeguarding is effective.
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An assessment of the expectations for behaviour and attitudes of pupils.
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Leadership and management within the Trust.
Responsibilities and delegation of powers are set out in the scheme of delegation. Should committee members require clarification, the clerk will be able to advise or further guidance can be found in the articles of association.
Resources Committee
(Chair: Siobhan Wignall)
The resources committee has a strategic role, acting as a critical friend to the Trust’s executive and those invited to attend meetings. Trustees approve the co-option of non-directors onto the committee to provide additional support and areas of expertise where appropriate in line with the articles. Co-opted non-director members do not have a vote in transactions.
The role of the resources committee is to ensure effective management and deployment of finances and other resources across the Trust and ensure compliance with all relevant regulations.
Responsibilities and delegation of powers are set out in the scheme of delegation. Should committee members require clarification, the clerk will be able to advise or further guidance can be found in the articles of association.
Audit and Risk Committee
(Chair: Dave Hollings)
The audit committee has a strategic role, acting as a critical friend to the Trust’s executive and those invited to attend meetings. Trustees approve the co-option of non-directors onto the committee to provide additional support and areas of expertise where appropriate in line with the articles. Co-opted non-director members do not have a vote in transactions.
The role of the audit committee is to maintain an oversight of AtC’s governance, risk management, internal control and value for money (VfM) framework and minute its outcomes accordingly. The committee may investigate any activity within its terms of reference and request any information it requires from any employee, audit or other assurance provider.
The audit committee will obtain any legal or independent professional advice it considers necessary. However, the audit committee may not incur expenditure in excess of £5,000 without ensuring best value.
Responsibilities and delegation of powers are set out in the scheme of delegation. Should committee members require clarification, the clerk will be able to advise or further guidance can be found in the articles of association.
Local Governing Bodies
School |
Chair |
Bowland High |
Emma Ireland |
Roseacre Primary Academy |
Louise Hall |
Thames Primary Academy |
Emma Swarbrick |
Witton Park Academy |
John Mills |
The LGB committee has a strategic role, acting as a critical friend to the school’s Headteacher and senior leadership team.
The LGB is primarily responsible for standards in that academy. This includes ensuring robust policies and systems are in place for the safeguarding and wellbeing of all pupils. The LGB ensure systems are in place for securing excellent academic progress, high quality teaching and an effective curriculum. LGBs must know key strengths and areas for development in order to approve and monitor implementation school improvement priorities.
Responsibilities and delegation of powers are set out in the scheme of delegation. Should LGB committee members require clarification, the clerk will be able to advise or further guidance can be found in the articles of association.
Agendas will be agreed in advance by the Chair of the LGB in consultation with the Headteacher, based on, but not limited to, the annual Trust planner and papers will be circulated to members and attendees at least 5 working days in advance of the meeting.
The chair of the LGB will be part of the chairs group, a meeting of all LGB chairs and the chair of Trustees. Meetings shall be informal and a supportive forum to aid the effective running of the Trust.
Board committees may request the chair of a LGB to attend any board meeting and present a summary of the agenda and recommendations made at any previous LGB meeting.
Meet our trustees
Dave was brought up in Darwen, Lancashire, and, after several years working in various parts of the UK, returned to his native town in 1994.
Dave has a Post Graduate Diploma in Marketing Studies from Newcastle-upon-Tyne Polytechnic.
Dave is a founder member and Director of Co-operative and Mutual Solutions Limited, a consultancy business providing advice and support to co-operatives and social enterprises. Besides holding management positions in several co-operatives and credit unions he has thirty years experience in providing advice and developmental support to co-operative and mutual enterprises. Dave is Chair of The Dog Inn in Belthorn, which re-opened under community ownership in November 2015.
Dave was chair of the governing body at Witton Park High School Academy from 2009 to 2020 and was Vice-Chair of the AtC Trust from its foundation until 2020.
Fellow of the Higher education academy a British professional membership scheme promoting excellence in higher education. Linda was the Programme Leader for Art PGCE and senior manager at HE level. Thus building upon her 20 years experience as a Secondary Arts Educator, Head of Art, Line manager for Secondary Arts provision with an active role in external examinations and verification for art qualifications. Currently a freelance art advisor with contracts for Beijing Academy of creative Art and Blackpool Sixth form college. Keynote speaker and presenter at international conferences around the world including ijade at Goldsmiths London and Shanghai University. Delivery and organisation of creative resilience programs for Blackpool local authority expanding Art and design education opportunities. A published author including articles for the National Society for Art education journal.
Practicing fine artist with a personal commission for the ICA London, group shows in Barcelona and Palma, Germany alongside large scale community participation events including Spare parts arts festival Arts Council funded (50 community groups) and international creative art workshops in Italy, Spain. Balearic Islands, China and UK.
Linda lives with her family near Blackpool and has three children, the youngest at secondary school.
I am currently Headteacher at Blackburn Central High School with over 20 years experience in educational leadership and management. I have a wide skillset ranging from the development of staff to ensure the nurturing of student wellbeing and progress to creating a seamless, inclusive curriculum supporting transition at all key stages with high aspirations, deep knowledge of starting points and understanding of students in 2021 - what motivates, engages and enthuses them. Examples of my strategic leadership experience include: coaching; quality assurance; leadership of teaching, learning & assessment -with a focus on the training and development of staff at all stages of career and effective appraisal. I also specialise in the strategic leadership and development of creating a positive climate for learning in urban classrooms; developing school wide strategy for Community Cohesion; and closing the gap in educational outcomes between disadvantaged young people and their better off peers. I am passionate and committed to providing opportunities for children and young people from the most disadvantaged communities and strongly believe in the transformative power of education to change the lives of individuals, communities and society to help make the world a better place!
My skillset is underpinned by a range of professional qualifications including a Masters degree, NPQH and I am currently studying for the NPQEL and hope to complete this in 2021.
I am a dedicated, creative, caring and ambitious leader who inspires the best in both staff and students. I believe wholeheartedly in working collaboratively so that we can achieve so much more for our children and our community.
My name is Gemma Duxbury and I am a Senior Associate at Forbes Solicitors. I qualified as a solicitor in 2005 after obtaining my BA Hons degree in Law and Business and started work in a private practice specialising in residential and commercial conveyancing. I stayed there for 6 years before moving into the public sector working as a Senior Solicitor at Blackpool Council. I was at Blackpool Council for ten years, working my way up to Acting Head of Legal and Deputy Head of Legal before leaving to go back to private practice in 2019. I now specialise in commercial, public sector, procurement, governance and information law acting for public sector bodies. I am a Governor at a Primary School as well as a Trustee for ATC. I am a DBS checked, registered chaperone for my children’s dance school and love working with children. Prior to deciding to go into the area of law I was a dance teacher and so have been involved in working with children from a young age. I bring legal knowledge and experience to the Trust as well as a parent perspective. I am down to earth, approachable and focused on achieving what is best for our pupils in a realistic, compassionate way whilst holding the relevant parties to account. In my spare time (if I ever have any!!) I enjoy reading, travelling, going to the theatre, socialising with friends, eating out, spending time with my two daughters and having fun!
Current Job: Human Resources Manager, Capita HR Solutions. We deliver HR advisory services to the education sector. I also deliver mental health first aid training across a wide range of sectors.
Worked in HR for 20 years. Have previously worked in Housing Sector for Local Authority and Higher Education
Qualifications
Associate CIPD
MA Personnel and Management Development
Mental Health First Aid accredited trainer (Mental Health First Aid England)
Info about me
I have 2 children, I love dogs, enjoy the outdoors, walking and running
What I bring to AtC.
Breadth of knowledge of Human Resources in the Education Sector
A specific focus on Mental Health and Wellbeing
Genuine desire to ensure pupil and staff experience of AtC is a positive one
Become a Trustee Information to follow
Governance documents
Local governing board register of interest and attendance register 2021/22
