Local Academy Board
What do our Governors do?
The governors’ role is not about fund-raising, neither is it about cheer-leading for the school – though governors might do both those things. School governors provide strategic leadership and accountability in schools. Governors appoint the headteacher and are involved in the appointment of other staff. In some schools the site is owned by the governing body. It is governors who hold the main responsibility for finance in schools, and it is governors who work with the head teacher to make the tough decisions about balancing resources.
Each individual governor is a member of a governing body, which is established in law as a corporate body. Individual governors may not act independently of the rest of the governing body. Decisions are the joint responsibility of the governing body.
The role of the governing body is a strategic one, its key functions are to:
- set the aims and objectives for the school
- set the policies for achieving those aims and objectives
- set the targets for achieving those aims and objectives
- monitor and evaluate the progress the school is making towards achievement of its aims and objectives
- be a source of challenge and support to the headteacher (a critical friend)
The Principal is responsible for the internal organisation, management and control of the school and the implementation of the strategic framework established by the governing body.
More information about the role of the governing body can be found in the Scheme of Delegation.
Who are our current Governors?
Name | Category |
Biography (Click to open) |
How appointed | Term of office | |
Start Date | End Date | ||||
Mr Gordon Leach | Chair of Governors | ![]() |
Appointed by Trust | 10/12/2019 | 09/12/2023 |
Mr Darren Lyon | Principal | ![]() |
Ex-officio | 01/06/2020 | On resignation |
Mr Nick Middleton | Governor | ![]() |
Appointed by Trust | 22/09/2020 | 21/09/2024 |
Mr Tariq Rafique | Governor | ![]() |
Appointed by Trust | 22/09/2020 | 21/09/2024 |
Dr John Anchor | Governor | ![]() |
Appointed by Trust | 22/09/2020 | 21/09/2024 |
Mr Amir Khan | Staff Governor | ![]() |
Elected by school staff | 12/01/2019 | 30/11/2023 |
Mr David Long | Staff Governor | ![]() |
Elected by school staff | 18/09/2020 | 17/09/2024 |
Mr Doug King | Governor | ![]() |
Appointed by Trust | 11/02/2021 | 10/02/2025 |
Vacancy | Parent Governor | Elected by school parents | |||
Vacancy | Parent Governor | Elected by school parents |
LAB members that have resigned 2019-2020 :
Shauna Dixon
Jayne Clarke
Phil Dennis
Kelly Eyres
Business Interest
Name | Current Employer | Directorship Partnership Other employment |
Trustee/ Governor at other educational institutions & charities |
Investment in limited company or other business | Material business interests arising from close family relationships | Close family contacts with other Directors/ Governors or Trust Employees |
Mr Gordon Leach | Self-Employed SIP with SPA | None | None | None | None | |
Mr Darren Lyon | Waterhead Academy | None | None | None | None | |
Mr Nick Middleton | Oldham College | None | None | None | None | |
Mr Tariq Rafique | Alpha Fostering Agency | Oldham Community Leisure | None | None | S Bano - Teacher | |
Dr John Anchor | The University of Huddersfield | None | None | None | Prof Tim Thornton is a Trustee | |
Mr Amir Khan | Waterhead Academy | None | None | None | None | |
Mr David Long | Waterhead Academy | None | None | None | None | |
Mr Doug King | Assistant Principal - Oldham 6th Form College | None | None | None | None |
Attendance
Name | 2020-21 (To date) | |
Attended | Possible | |
Mr Gordon Leach | 1 | 1 |
Mr Darren Lyon | 1 | 1 |
Mr Nick Middleton | 1 | 1 |
Mr Tariq Rafique | 0 | 1 |
Dr John Anchor | 1 | 1 |
Mr Amir Khan | 1 | 1 |
Mr David Long | 1 | 1 |
Mr Doug King | 0 | 0 |
Standards Sub-Committee - Structure and Roles
Standards Committee Terms of Reference
Name | Role |
Mr Gordon Leach | Chair |
Mr Nick Middleton | Vice-Chair |
Mr Doug King | |
Mr Darren Lyon | Principal |
Meetings schedule and Minutes of meetings
Local Academy Board Meetings (2020-21)
Date | Venue | Time | Minutes |
09-07-2020 | Virtual Meeting | 4:30pm | ![]() |
08-10-2020 | Virtual Meeting | 4:30pm | |
11-02-2021 | Virtual Meeting | 4:30pm | |
08-07-2021* | TBC | 4:30pm |
* - This date is likely to change.
Standards Committee Meetings (2020-21)
Date | Venue | Time | Minutes |
10-12-2020 | Virtual Meeting | 5.00pm | |
11-03-2021 | TBC | 5.00pm | |
10-06-2021 | TBC | 5.00pm |
How to become a governor
If you are interested in becoming a governor, please call the Academy for further information.
Before you put yourself forward, please talk to your employer. Many employers recognise the role of school governor as useful work experience and may offer paid leave as part of their initiative to give back to the community.