Governance

Each academy in the de Ferrers Trust has a Local Governing Body (LGB) which works on behalf of the Trust Board to exercise leadership in the running of the individual academy and hold the Principal and staff to account. The LGB is responsible for promoting high standards and strives to ensure that our young people are attending a successful academy which provides them with a good education and supports their well-being.

The role of the Local Governing Body:

  • helping the Principal and senior leadership team to set high standards by planning for the academy´s future and setting performance targets for the academy;
  • monitoring the effectiveness of the academy provision;
  • the management of risks against the academy's risk register;
  • acting as a critical friend to the Principal and senior leadership team, offering support and advice;
  • helping the academy respond to the needs of parents and the community;
  • helping make the academy be open and accountable to the public for what it does;
  • working with the academy on planning and developing policies and keeping the academy provision under review; and
  • exercising the responsibilities and powers delegated to it by the Directors in partnership with the Principal and staff.

The de Ferrers Trust is currently recruiting for governors in both primary and secondary schools.  Should you be interested please visit The de Ferrers Trust's website.

If you wish to contact the Local Governing Body, you can do so by contacting Karen Mills, Clerk to the Governors, by emailing kmills@deferrers.com or writing to:

The de Ferrers Academy
Harehedge Lane
Burton on Trent
DE13 0AS


The de Ferrers Trust Governance Documents


Meet Our Local Governing Body

Ex-Officio Governor

The Principal of our Academy also sits on our Local Governing Body as a Governor.  They are referred to as an Ex-officio Governor, by virtue of their office.  This means that they will remain a Governor for as long as they are employed in their role as Principal. 

Ali Bickle

AAB

Appointed: 01 September 2022 

Attendance 2022/23: 4/4

Declarations:  Parent of children at The de Ferrers Academy. Husband is employee of The de Ferrers Academy.

Bio

 

Board Appointed Governors

Governors who are Board Appointed are appointed by the Trust Board.  Their term of office is four years.  At The de Ferrers Academy the governance structure allows for four Board Appointed Governors.

Lesley Wells
Chair of Governors

Leslie Wells

First Appointed: 22 April 2019
Term of office: 01 November 2022 - 31 October 2026
Appointed by: The Trust Board

Attendance 2022/23: 4/4

Declarations: Life Member of NAHT. Member of Labour Party. Cahir and Trustee at Friends of Derby Royal Hospital. President and Trustee of Uffa Magna WI. Chair of Horninglow LBG.

Bio: I joined the de Ferrers Academy Governing Body in 2011 when I was co-opted to represent the Burton Co-operative Learning Trust Primary & Special Schools which feed and work alongside the Academy. I have previously been the Headteacher, Executive Headteacher and Governor at four schools in both Staffordshire and Kent, two of them being judged outstanding by Ofsted. In August 2018 I retired from the post of Headteacher and Governor at Outwoods Primary School.

I am both the Chair and designated Safeguarding Governor for The de Ferrers Academy.

Nick Oxford

Appointed: 12 July 2022
Term of office: 12 July 2022 - 11 July 2026
Appointed by: The Trust Board

Attendance 2022/23: 3/4

Declarations: Wife employed at The de Ferrers Academy

Bio: To follow

Danny Mondesir

Appointed: 18 July 2023
Term of office: 18 July 2023 - 17 July 2027
Appointed by: The Trust Board

Attendance 2022/23: 1/1

Declarations: Managing Director of Street Whyze Project CIC.

Bio: To follow

Vacancy

 

 

Parent Governors

Parent Governors are elected by the parents/guardians of the students who attend The de Ferrers Academy.  When a parent governor vacancy occurs, nominations are requested from all registered parents and guardians and an election takes place.  Their term of office is four years. At The de Ferrers Academy the governance structure allows for two parent governors. 

Samantha Barks

Appointed: 04 July 2023
Term of Office: 4 July 2023 - 3 July 2027

Attendance 2022/23: 1/1 

Declarations: Children attend The de Ferrers Academy

Bio: To follow

Manjinder Kang

Appointed: 13 November 2023
Term of Office: 13 November 2023 - 12 November 2023

Attendance 2022/23: N/A

Declarations: Children attend The de Ferrers Academy. Education Engineering Manager at Derby College.

Bio: My name is Mani Kang, and I am deeply committed to my roles as a devoted husband and father of three wonderful children. Among them, my two daughters, aged 13 and 15, are flourishing at de Ferrers, while my eldest son, 26, is charting his own path in life.
 
For over 25 years, I've lent my expertise to Rolls Royce, where I've orchestrated a multitude of technical projects aimed at delivering tailor-made engineering solutions for intricate aerospace components. My tenure there has been marked by a relentless pursuit of excellence and innovation.
 
In addition to my corporate endeavours, I now manage Engineering Apprenticeships, shaping the minds of future engineers at Derby College.
 
Having triumphed over adversity during an 8.5-month stay in intensive care, I now volunteer with the NHS, offering invaluable insights to Adult Critical Care services. Furthermore, as a trusted member of the scrutiny panel for the Crime Commissioner of Staffordshire Police, I diligently contribute to upholding the standards of our community.

 

Staff Governor

The Staff Governor is elected by the staff based at The de Ferrers Academy. When a staff governor vacancy occurs, nominations are requested from all members of staff based at The de Ferrers Academy and an election takes place. Their term of office is four years. At The de Ferrers Academy the governance structure allows for one staff governor.

Jayson Burns

JB

Appointed: 28 March 2019
Terms of Office:
 28 March 2023 - 27 March 2027

Attendance 2022/23: 4/4

Declarations: Exam marking for OCR.

Bio: I have been a teacher of English at The de Ferrers Academy for seven years and am proud to represent the staff on the governing body.

I have been a teacher for twenty eight years in Schools and colleges in the Midlands and have a wealth of experience to draw on in the field of education.

I am currently the Director of Learning for English and am committed to the academy vision and to helping our students to be the best that they can be.

 

Co-opted Governors

At The de Ferrers Academy, the governance structure allows for the local governors listed above to co-opt to four further local governors to the local governing body in order to bring a specific skill set that will add value to the academy, making local governance even more efficient and effective.  Co-opted governors have a term of office of four years.

Graham Milnes
Vice Chair

First appointed: 22 April 2019
Term of office: 22 April 2023 - 21 April 2027

Attendance 2022/23: 3/4

Declarations: None declared.

Bio: I have been a Governor at The de Ferrers Academy for over nine years, starting as a Parent Governor when my daughter was at the School. I have continued as a Governor since my daughter left, as I enjoy the role and hope my involvement helps towards the academy’s journey of being one of the best Academy’s in the country.

I have lived in Burton all of my life and have just retired having completed 46 years’ service at Molson Coors where I joined after attending The Burton Boys Grammar School.

John Anderson

First appointed: 22 April 2019
Term of office: 22 April 2023 - 21 April 2027

Attendance 2022/23: 3/4

Declarations: Proprietor of JA Properties, Proprietor of J.A.Coaching, Proprietor of Life Coaching with Nature, Trustee/Chair of Burton HOPE, Trustee/Chair of Beyne Schools Foundation, Trustee/Chair of Town Branch (Consolidated Charities) Educational Foundation, Chair of Friends of Outwoods, Chair of Outwoods Parish Council, Councillor at Horninglow and Eton Parish Council, Chair of FISH 2013.

Bio: I have been a resident in and around Burton Upon Trent for most of my life. I am married to Rachael and am very proud to say that my son attended The de Ferrers Academy and  flourished both academically and socially.

I have been self employed since 1981 and currently run my own property maintenance business, am a private sector landlord and a licensed angling coach.

I am a great believer in the community and spend most of my spare time volunteering by supporting community groups and projects, including being chairman of Outwoods Parish and an East Midlands Public Governor for Burton NHS Trust. 

I feel honoured to have the opportunity to support young people in my roles as a licensed coach, de Ferrers Academy governor and Duke of Edinburgh Trustee.

I believe in our academy and try my best to rise to the challenges of being a good, involved member of our excellent Local Governing Body.  I am the designated Governor for the SEND Faculty.

Caroline Wakelin

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Appointed: 01 November 2022
Term of Office: 01 November 2022 - 31 October 2026

Attendance 2022/23: 3/3

Declarations: Local Governor at Horninglow Primary. Family members attend Granville and The de Ferrers Academy.

Bio: I am a retired teacher. I spent my 36 year career at The de Ferrers Academy, in its many guises, teaching Religious Studies and CPSHE. I was an Assistant Head of Year for a number of years and latterly involved in Attendance. I have also served as a staff governor.

Jacqui Botten

20221110 142847

Appointed: 01 November 2022
Term of Office: 01 November 2022 - 31 October 2026

Attendance 2022/23: 3/3

Declarations: Local Governor at Horninglow Primary.

Bio: It is a pleasure to be joining the The de Ferrers Academy's LGB community. I have spent all my life in secondary education as a Head of Faculty and Governor. I look forward to engaging with the school in lots of different ways and hope I will have lots to offer from my past experiences. 

 

Previous Governors in the last 12 months

John Scattergood

Appointed: 28 June 2022

Resigned: 21 April 2023

Attendance 2022/23: 2/2

Register of Interests:  Children attend the Academy

Mohsin Ashraf

Appointed 24 May 2022

Resigned: 15 May 2023

Attendance 2022/23: 2/3

Register of Interests:  Employed by the NHS

Vikki Riddell

Appointed: 13 July 2021

Resigned: 23 August 2023

Attendance 2022/23: 0/4

Register of Interests:  None

 

Clerk to Governors

The Clerk provides professional advice to the Governing Body on governance, constitutional and procedural matters. They provide administrative support including minute taking and convening meetings, ensure the Governing Body is properly constituted and manage all Governing Body information effectively. It is the Clerk’s role to ensure the Governing Body meets all of its statutory duties.

Karen Mills

kmills@deferrers.com

 

Documents

Page Downloads Date  
Code of Conduct 23-24 19th Sep 2023 Download
Terms of Reference - LGB 22-23 03rd Sep 2023 Download
Scheme of Delegation Sept 23 13th Sep 2023 Download
Parent governor election form 17th Oct 2023 17th Oct 2023 Download
The de Ferrers Academy LGB Register of Interests Jan 2024 02nd Feb 2024 Download