Our Governors

A Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) is a legal entity accountable for the running of the organisation and all the academies within it. The MAT is a charitable company limited by guarantee, and has multiple layers of governance: the Members, the Board of Trustees and Board Committees, which include a Local Governing Committee for each academy within the MAT.

The Local Governing Committee serves as a sub-committee of the Hope Sentamu Learning Trust York Board of Trustees, and their responsibilities are set out within the Trust’s Scheme of Delegation. If required, the Board can either delegate more powers to the Local Governing Committee or withdraw powers in exceptional situations. Governors are not involved in the operational running of the academy; the daily management of the academy is the responsibility of the Principal. All decisions are made as a group; governors are there as a corporate body responsible for the governance of the academy and not to represent their own interests or the interest of others.

Local governors have three central duties:

i) setting the vision of the local academy
ii) holding the Headteacher/Principal to account
iii) and ensuring the academy’s financial management is to the highest possible standard.

Governors carry out their tasks in a number of different ways, through regular meetings and visits to the academy. Meetings are held at least once a term.

The Local Governing Committee provides the school with a wide range of skills and experience which supports the Senior Leadership team in vital decisions that enhance the academy’s environment, curriculum and delivery of the best educational experience possible.

Sally Mitcham
Parent Governor

Date of Appointment: 05.07.2023
Appointed by: Trust
Resigned: 09.12.2024
Attendance at Meetings 2024/25: 1/2
Attendance at Meetings 2023/24: 4/4
Link: SEND, Pupil Premium
Business and/or Pecuniary Interest: Parent of child at Vale of York Academy

Bio:
Sally worked in the charity sector for 7 years before retraining as a chiropractor. She is now a carer for her disabled son. Having been a parent governor at Hob Moor Oaks for four years, she moved to the LGC for Vale of York Academy in 2023 and strongly believes in equal opportunities for all.

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Matt Halifax
Trust-Appointed Governor

Date of Appointment: 04.07.2022
Appointed by: Trust Board
Resigned: 31/08/2024
Attendance at Meetings 2022/23: 5/5
Attendance at Meetings 2023/24: 3/4
Link: No link role assigned
Business and/or Pecuniary Interest: Teacher and Vice Principal at Vale of York Academy
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Helen Todd
Trust-Appointed Governor

Date of Appointment: 20.05.2024
Appointed by: Trust Board
Resigned: 15/08/2024
Attendance at Meetings 2022/23: 2/5
Attendance at Meetings 2023/24: 2/4
Link: Safeguarding, Personal Development
Business and/or Pecuniary Interest: Employee at Bootham School 
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Patrick Looker
Trust-appointed Governor

Date of Appointment: 02.11.2022
Appointed by: Trust Board
Resigned: 31/08/2024
Attendance at Meetings 2022/23: 5/5
Attendance at Meetings 2023/24: 4/4
Link: Whistleblowing
Business and/or Pecuniary Interest:
Employee at City of York Council 
Trustee of Hope Sentamu Learning Trust 

Bio: Patrick Looker is a qualified Public Finance Accountant and has worked in Local Government for over 30 years. He understands the pressures on public service finance and the need to get best value from all income into the Trust. He studied Economics and Business Studies at Sheffield University. Patrick has been a Governor since 2013 and was the Chair of Governors at Vale of York Academy for 5 years. Patrick stood down as Chair of the LGC on 10th June 2024 and remains a Governor for the remaining time of this academic year.
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Andrew Thirlwell
Trust-Appointed Governor

Date of Appointment: 18.01.2023
Appointed By: Trust
Resigned: 08.04.2024
Attendance at Meetings 2022/23: 1/3
Attendance at Meetings 2023/24: 1/2
Area of Responsibility: Standards
Declared Business and/or Pecuniary Interest: STEM Learning Education CPD (Employee – 2017)
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Jenny Smailes
Trust-Appointed Governor

Date of Appointment: 20.05.2020
Appointed By: Trust
Resigned: 05.02.2024
Attendance at Meetings 2022/23: 5/5
Attendance at Meetings 2023/24: 2/2
Area of Responsibility: Safeguarding
Declared Business and/or Pecuniary Interest: Confirmed no interests to declare
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Ian Wright
Parent Governor

Date of Appointment: 25.04.2022
Appointed By: Trust
Resigned: 21.11.2023
Attendance at Meetings 2022/23: 4/5
Attendance at Meetings 2023/24: 1/1
Area of Responsibility: No link role assigned
Declared Business and/or Pecuniary Interest: Parent of a child at Vale of York Academy

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Toby Eastaugh
Principal – In Attendance

Attendance at Meetings 2022/23: 5/5
Attendance at Meetings 2023/24: 3/3
Declared Business and/or Pecuniary Interest: Governor at Boroughbridge Primary School

Governors do not need specific skills, but many of the tasks they are required to undertake can benefit from general business knowledge such as understanding management systems, budget planning and HR functions.

Local authorities are required to ensure that training for governors is available and most governing bodies buy into their local authority training packages (which may include online learning) to ensure that governors are properly inducted to their role and trained for specific tasks such as appointing the Principal and then carrying out the Principal’s performance review.

Monday 21st October 2024, 5pm
Monday 09th December 2024, 5pm
Monday 24th March 2025, 5pm
Monday 14th July 2025, 5pm