Our Governors

Governance at Stamford Park Trust

If you would like to know more about governance at Stamford Park Trust, please contact Carolyn Haigh, Head of Governance, at c.j.haigh@spt.ac.uk.

We have various roles across the trust to join our Local Governing Body (LGB) and Board of Trustees. 

As a governor, you will have a significant impact on students, staff, and the community by upholding the highest standards and embodying our vision and values.

This is a voluntary, unpaid position for individuals who are energetic and skilled, and who want to contribute to shaping the future of our schools. No specialist knowledge of education is required.

To find out more click here.

The Trust Board and Committees

 

The Stamford Park Trust was founded by three founding members who accepted a general duty to exercise their powers, to further the Trust’s charitable purpose.  Since the incorporation of the Trust, further members have joined us and the trust now has five members as follows:

  • Keith Trelfa - founding member

  • Janet Nevin - founding member

  • Christine Lyness - founding member

  • Peter Claus - member

  • Patricia Catterall - member

More information on the role of members in academy trusts can be found  in the Department for Education  governance role descriptors at:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/924673/Academies_governance_role_descriptors.pdf 

Meetings

The members usually meet once per year at the Annual General Meeting to receive the Annual Report and Financial Statements, and appoint the auditors for the coming year.

Members terms of office

Name Date of appointment
Keith Trelfa 20/12/2018
Janet Nevin 20/12/2018
Christine Lyness 20/12/2018
Peter Claus 01/02/2019
Patricia Catterall 05/09/2024


Previous Members

Name Date of Appointment Date ceased to be a member
Barrie Cheshire 01/02/2019 27/04/2020
Jonathan Reynolds 16/08/2020 13/08/2024

 

The Trust Board has three core functions, as set out in the DfE Governance Handbook:

  • Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction

  • Holding executive leaders to account for the educational performance of the organisation and its pupils, and the effective and efficient performance management of staff; and

  • Overseeing the financial performance of the organisation and making sure its money is well spent.

In carrying out these functions, the board may choose to delegate responsibility for monitoring to other committees, local governing bodies or the executive leadership of the trust, however they retain overall responsibility for ensuring these functions are carried out.

Trustees

The following people serve as Trustees on the Trust Board:

  • Kevin Aspin

  • Jane Barker

  • Colin Challenger

  • Stephen Foote (Chair)

  • Marcus Gill

  • Peter Ingham

  • Kala Mandviwala

  • Anton McGrath (CEO/ex-Officio)

  • Steven Pleasant

  • Lorna Stafford

  • Malcolm Sugden (Vice Chair)

 

Attendance 2023/24

  Possible Actual %
Kevin Aspin 6 4 67
Jane Barker 6 4 67
Colin Challenger 6 5 83
Steve Foote 6 6 100
Marcus Gill 6 6 100
Kala Mandviwala 6 5 83
Anton McGrath 6 6 100
Steven Pleasant 6 3 50
Malcolm Sugden 6 5 83

 

Trustees terms of office

Name Date of Appointment Term of Office Date they stepped down (if applicable) Appointed by Date first appointed
Stephen Foote 20/12/2022 4 years   Members 20/12/2018
Malcolm Sugden 20/12/2022 4 years   Members 20/12/2018
Steven Pleasant 20/12/2022 4 years   Members 20/12/2018
Kala Mandviwala 01/02/2023 4 years   Trust Board 01/02/2019
David Smith  01/02/2019 4 years 31/01/2023 Trust Board  
Colin Challenger 01/02/2023 4 years   Trust Board 01/02/2019
Anton McGrath 01/02/2019 ex-officio (CEO)   Trust Board  
Sarah Wilson 04/11/2020 4 years 08/03/2023 Trust Board  
Jane Barker 13/01/2021 4 years   Trust Board  
Kevin Aspin 25/11/2021 4 years   Trust Board  
Marcus Gill 07/12/2022 4 years   Trust Board  
Peter Ingham 05/09/2024 4 years   Members  
Lorna Stafford 05/09/2024 4 years   Members  

 

 

The Finance and Resources Committee supports the board in meeting its core functions, by monitoring and overseeing the use of financial and physical resources within the Trust.

The Committee considers the annual budget, monitors management accounts and scrutinises the end of year accounts and half-yearly financial forecasts. The Committee then makes recommendations to the board based on its findings.

Committee members

The following members serve on the Finance Committee:

  • Jane Barker (Chair)

  • Steve Foote

  • Anton McGrath (ex-Officio)

  • Marcus Gill

  • Peter Ingham

  • Lorna Stafford

 
Attendance 2023/24

  Possible Actual %
Kevin Aspin 4 0 0
Jane Barker 4 4 100
Steve Foote 4 4 100
Marcus Gill 4 3 75
Anton McGrath 4 4 100

 

 

The Audit and Risk Committee ensures that the internal control systems and audit activities of the Trust are objectively and actively monitored. It reinforces the effectiveness of the internal audit function, providing an independent medium of communication with the Trust's auditors, who it invites as required.

The Committee considers detailed reports together with recommendations for the improvement of the Trust’s systems of internal controls and management’s responses and implementation plans. It also concerns itself with the monitoring the Trust’s arrangements for risk management, fraud and irregularity, and value for money.

Committee members

The following members serve on the Audit Committee:

  • Malcolm Sugden (Chair)

  • Colin Challenger

  • Kala Mandviwala

  • Steven Pleasant

Attendance 2023/24

  Possible Actual %
Malcolm Sugden 3 3 100
Kala Mandviwala 3 3 100
Steven Pleasant 3 1 33
Colin Challenger 3 2 67

 

Register of Interests 2023-24

 

The Trust has a written scheme of delegation which outlines the delegation of responsibilities within the Trust to trustees, committees, local governing bodies and executive leaders. Committees of the Trust also have written remits, referred to as Terms of Reference which outline the responsibilities of the committee and the terms for operating. 

Stamford Park Trust Scheme of Delegation - September 2024Finance & Resources Committee Terms of Reference - July 2024Audit and Risk Committee Terms of Reference - July 2024

Chairs' Committee Terms of Reference - July 2024

Ashton Sixth Form College Local Governing Body Terms of Reference - July 2024

Fairfield High School Local Governing Body Terms of Reference - September 2024Longdendale High School Local Governing Body Terms of Reference - July 2024Rayner Stephens High School Local Governing Body Terms of Reference - July 2024

Local Governing Bodies

 

The general role of the local governing bodies is to provide the local context, challenge and support to the Executive Principal and Headteachers, ensuring the very best local provision is given in each academy.  Local governing bodies regularly feedback to the Trust board to ensure that local governors have a role in influencing and communicating with the Trustees on the strategic vision of the Trust going forward. 

Each local governing body will be composed, wherever possible, of up to 13 members:

  • 7 independent Academy Governors

  • 2 Parent Governors

  • 2 Staff Governors

  • 1 Executive Principal*/Principal**

  • The Headteacher*/Deputy Principal** of the relevant academy will be in attendance at each meeting. 

*11-16 Academies

**16-18 Academies

 

Committee members

The following members serve on the ASFC Local Governing Body:

  • Lawrence Ado-Kofie (Parent Governor)

  • Rick Allanson (Staff Governor)

  • Colin Challenger (Trustee - Chair)

  • John Clark (Academy Governor)

  • Mitesh Mistry (Academy Governor)

  • Jane O'Connell (Academy Governor)

  • Doug Pepper (Academy Governor)

  • Kamlesh Rajput (Academy Governor)

  • Tamoor Shafique (Academy Governor)

  • Janet Valentine (Staff Governor)

  • Philip Wilson-Marks (Academy Governor)

  • Student Council President (16-18 Student Governor)

 

Attendance 2023/24

  Possible Actual %
Lawrence Ado-Kofie 5 3 60
Rick Allanson 5 4 80
Colin Challenger 5 3 60
John Clark 5 4 80
Chris Lyness 5 5 100
Mitesh Mistry 5 4 80
Jane O'Connell 5 4 80
Doug Pepper 5 2 40
Kamlesh Rajput 5 3 60
Janet Valentine 5 3 60

 

Governors terms of office

Name Date of Appointment Term of Office Date they stepped down (if applicable) Appointed by Date first appointed
Colin Challenger 01/02/2023 4 years   Trust Board 01/02/2019
Kamlesh Rajput 01/02/2023 4 years   Trust Board 01/02/2019
Richard Allanson 01/02/2023 4 years   ASFC Teaching Staff 01/02/2019
Chris Lyness 01/02/2023 4 years  31/07/2024 Trust Board 01/02/2019
Jane O'Connell 31/03/2021 4 years   Trust Board  
Doug Pepper 01/10/2021 4 years   Elected (Parents)  
Lawrence Ado-Kofie 01/10/2021 4 years   Elected (Parents)  
Janet Valentine 11/01/2021 4 years   ASFC Support Staff  
John Clark 25/05/2022 4 years   Trust Board  
Mitesh Mistry 05/07/2023 4 years   Trust Board  
Philip Wilson-Marks 03/07/2024 4 years   Trust Board  
Tamoor Shafique 03/07/2024 4 years   Trust Board  

 

Committee members

The following members serve on the Longdendale High School Local Governing Body:

  • Karen Boothroyd (Academy Governor)

  • Alison Bradshaw (Academy Governor)

  • Jodie-Ann Dearden (Parent Governor)

  • Marcus Gill (Trustee - Link for Longdendale LGB)

  • Chris Green-Buckley (Parent Governor - Chair)

  • Joanne Ivens (Academy Governor)

  • Helen Lord (Academy Governor)

  • Hannah Margrave (Academy Governor)

  • Claire Watts (Academy Governor)

 

Attendance 2023/24

  Possible Actual %
Alison Bradshaw 5 2 40
Chris Green-Buckley 5 5 100
Joanne Ivens 5 5 100
Helen Lord 5 5 100
Hannah Margrave 5 5 100
Karen Boothroyd 2 2 100
Jodie-Ann Dearden 2 2 100

 

Governors terms of office

Name Date of Appointment Term of Office Date they stepped down (if applicable) Appointed by Date first appointed
Alison Bradshaw 31/08/2022 4 years   Trust Board 13/01/2021
Hannah Margrave 25/05/2022 4 years   Trust Board  
Chris Green-Buckley 18/11/2022 4 years   Elected (parents)  
Helen Lord 07/12/2022 4 years   Trust Board  
Joanne Ivens 07/12/2022 4 years   Trust Board  
Jodie-Ann Dearden 08/03/2024 4 years   Elected (parents)  
Karen Boothroyd 27/03/2024 4 years   Trust Board  
Claire Watts 04/07/2024 4 years   Trust Board  

 

Committee members

The following members serve on the Rayner Stephens High School Local Governing Body:

  • Amanda Baxter (Academy Governor)

  • Sean Drummond (Staff Governor)

  • Aaron Garner (Parent Governor)

  • Louise King (Parent Governor)

  • Lee Mason (Academy Governor)

  • Justin McDonnell (Academy Governor - Chair)

  • John Schofield (Academy Governor)

  • Mark Storie (Staff Governor)

  • Rebecca Whitehouse (Academy Governor)

Attendance 2023/24

  Possible Actual %
Sean Drummond 5 2 40
Aaron Garner 5 5 100
Louise King 5 2 40
Lee Mason 5 5 100
Justin McDonnell 5 5 100
John Schofield 5 3 60
Mark Storie 5 5 100
Rebecca Whitehouse 4 3 75

 

Governors terms of office

Name Date of Appointment Term of Office Date they stepped down (if applicable) Appointed by
Ruksana Rasul 13/01/2021 4 years  12/11/2023 Trust Board
Lee Mason 13/01/2021 4 years   Trust Board
Mark Storie 13/01/2021 4 years   Trust Board
Justin McDonnell 13/01/2021 4 years   Trust Board
Louise King 01/10/2021 4 years  04/09/2024 Trust Board
John Schofield 17/12/2022 4 years   Trust Board
Sean Drummond 21/04/2023 4 years   Elected Staff
Aaron Garner 26/04/2023 4 years   Parent
Rebecca Whitehouse 31/12/2023 4 years   Academy
Amanda Baxter 04/07/2024 4 years   Academy

Committee members


The following members serve on the Fairfield High School Local Governing Body:

  • Rahul Ahmed (Academy Governor)

  • Lynne Cheetham (Staff Governor)

  • Barbara Derbyshire (Academy Governor)

  • Matthew Knowles (Staff Governor)

  • Emma  Quinn (Academy Governor - Vice Chair)

  • Emma Sandbach (Parent Governor)

  • Rob Taylor (Academy Governor) 

  • Brenda Warrington (Academy Governor - Chair)

Attendance 

This is the first year of the Fairfield local governing body. Attendance data will be published at the end of the 2024/25 academic year. 

 

Governors terms of office

Name Date of Appointment Term of Office Date they stepped down (if applicable) Appointed by Date first appointed
Brenda Warrington 25/09/2024 4 years   Trust Board  
Emma Quinn 25/09/2024 4 years   Trust Board  
Barbara Derbyshire 25/09/2024 4 years   Trust Board  
Rob Taylor 25/09/2024 4 years   Trust Board  
Lynne Cheetham 25/09/2024 4 years   Elected (staff)  
Matthew Knowles 25/09/2024 4 years   Elected (Staff)  
Emma Sandbach 23/10/2024 4 years   Elected (Parents)  
Rahul Ahmed 11/12/2024 4 years   Trust Board