Governance is a key element of the leadership and management of the Griffin Schools Trust (GST) itself and of the schools individually and collectively. Please click here to see our Governance Structure.

 

The Trust (itself accountable to DfE) is the body to whom schools are directly accountable. It delegates autonomy to each Local Governing Board/Body (LGB) or School Improvement Board (SIB) according to the Scheme of Delegation.

The Trust Board is made up of experts in UK and international education as well as private sector professionals with a wide range of commercial experience and expertise. In keeping with our vision we also place an emphasis on attracting Trustees who have backgrounds and networks in Sport and the Arts. The Board acts as guardian to the Trust vision, and ensures that progress towards its fulfilment is underpinned with the highest standards of compliance with our regulators so that public funding is very well-used.

Serving as a governor in a GST school requires a commitment to the seven principles of public life and to a code of conduct which puts the school and its pupils at the centre. GST governors meet formally every thirteen weeks (i.e. once every school term) and much of the real work is done between these meetings, through Working Groups and individual contributions to the school’s life according to each governor’s skills and the needs of the school.

The role is very different from that of a governor in a Local Authority school, recognising that the Head is the school’s Chief Executive and the Board is there to advise, support and challenge through appropriate channels and to evidence the impact that governance is having on the school’s progress. As in the world of non-executive directors, GST governors are expected to bring their skills to bear and to work in co-operation and collaboration with the staff team, the whole Local Governing Body and the Trust to bring about rapid and sustained improvement for the pupils they serve.

The Trust is responsible for the appointment, performance management and professional development of the Heads, though the LGB’s work has a vital role to play in highlighting and evidencing the impact that the Head and governors are making through their termly meetings. Through their work in and for the school, governors come to know the school community and to be well-informed about its performance, able to talk about it confidently and accurately to the Trust, to Ofsted, to parents and to interested local groups.

We very much appreciate the work that governors do and the part they play in the success of the schools they serve and indeed of the Trust. We hope that governors find reward in the impact they make on young lives and their individual experience of the living reality of the GST motto: Proud Traditions Wide Horizons High Achievement.

The Exhall Governing Board is:

Nichola Barley

Keith Bonsor

Justin Creasey

Marissa Davis

Stephanie Fludder

Anne Powell

 

Nichola Barley

Nicky is an Associate Headteacher with a wealth of experience in curriculum leadership, raising achievement and school improvement. Nicky has led across multiple schools and has driven improvements in teaching and learning, inclusive provision, curriculum design and enrichment. As an experienced trainer for trainee teachers, newly qualified teachers and middle leaders, Nicky is deeply invested in ensuring that pupils access excellent educational provision and opportunities.

Keith Bonsor

Keith brings a wealth of finance, compliance and HR  experience to his role of governor. He has served as a local governor for a number of years and has a  proud association with Exhall Junior School as his children and grandchildren have attended the school.  Keith is dedicated to using his expertise and energy to ensure the success and well-being of every pupil and is excited to support the school's move to the Griffin Schools Trust. 

Justin Creasey

Justin has leadership experience in primary and secondary schools as a Head, Executive Head and School Improver. A maths specialist, he has a keen interest in pedagogy and curriculum innovation and, since joining GST, he has worked with schools to make sustainable step changes in outcomes and to speed their journeys to Griffin Great.

Marissa Davis

Marissa’s leadership experience has included working as a Headteacher and as a School Improver in the independent and maintained sectors, having worked for many years at a senior level in GDST, the Girls Day School Trust. She has served as a senior school improvement adviser in the head office in London, on the Board of one of the London schools and has led Primary and Secondary departments in schools in Wales and Bedfordshire. As a curriculum expert, Marissa has supported GST’s cross-Trust events and projects such as the Science Symposium and Founders Day. She brings to the  governance of GST a practical understanding of and commitment to GST’s vision and values.

Stephanie Fludder

Steph brings a deep knowledge of SEND provision and SEND support to her role of Governor. As a parent and member of the Exhall community, she is keen to enable all pupils to overcome any barriers to learning and to benefit from a rich and enjoyable curriculum. Steph is keen to bring her governor experience to promoting the three pillars of Proud Traditions, Wide Horizons and High Achievement.

Anne Powell

Anne has a long and proud association with Riverley Primary School. She was appointed Head in April 2013 after working there as a teacher and leader for many years. Her leadership experience includes key curriculum and inclusion priorities across all primary key stages. Leading in diverse, inner-city schools was always Anne’s ambition and she has devised innovative approaches to working with hard to reach communities. As a music graduate, she is always looking to promote the arts in education and was proud that Riverley hosted the first Griffin Arts Festival (GAF) in July 2014.

 

Clerk

Johanna Beck

exhalljuniorclerk@griffinschoolstrust.org

02476 313 375

 

Address of Chair:

Exhall Junior School, Hayes Lane, Exhall, Warwickshire, CV7 9NS