Governance

Ormiston Victory Academy Governing Body

The Governing Body is made up of 10 members: the Principal, two parents and two staff elected Governors, with the remainder appointed by the Ormiston Academies Trust.

To contact the Governors, please e-mail Nicole Hawes, PA to the Principal, on [email protected]

What are Governing Bodies for?

Governors are the largest volunteer force in the country and their overall purpose is to help schools and academies raise standards and provide the best possible education for their students.

What are the roles of the Governing Body?

  • To challenge and support the Principal.
  • To oversee the academy’s long-term vision, strategic aims, values and ethos.
  • To carry out statutory responsibilities, such as safeguarding.
  • To agree and monitor plans and policies.
  • To make creative use of available resources.
  • To monitor and evaluate performance.
  • To be involved in the appointment of the Principal.
  • To ensure proper financial management of the academy.
  • To communicate openly with parents, staff and the local community.

How Does the Governing Body Work?

The Governing Body works as a group, taking collective responsibility for all decisions. Governors work in close partnership with the Principal who, as the lead professional, advises and assists the Governing Body to carry out its functions.

The Governing Body includes people with a wide range of skills, experience and backgrounds, all of whom have equal status and rights as Governors. Governors are encouraged to broaden and develop their skills, knowledge and confidence through engaging in training opportunities.

The Governing Body meets approximately three times each term to discuss key areas such as student performance, the curriculum, staffing, finance, premises and health and safety. It is important for Governors to get to know the academy and its staff, which they do by regularly visiting and attending academy events and open days whenever possible.

Governors take on specific roles linking to aspects of the academy’s development plan with members of the Senior Leadership Team and also to specific functions.

Becoming a Parent Governor

Becoming a Parent Governor can be very rewarding and offers the opportunity to make a real contribution to the life and work of our academy. Governors play a key role in the leadership of the academy and work together with the Principal, staff and other governors to ensure that our academy provides a challenging and supportive environment for its students.

Parent Governor vacancies are advertised on our website and circulated to all parents of current students.

Becoming an OAT Governor

Becoming an Ormiston Academies Trust governor is challenging, interesting and deeply rewarding and contributes to the well-being and prospects of pupils, academies and communities. OAT welcomes applications from people from all walks of life to gain a wide variety of skills and experience to support and develop the academy. If you are interested in finding out more, please download an OAT Governor application form here.

Enrichment Committee – responsibilities include student attendance and welfare.
Kevin O’Connell, Trish Phillips, Naomi Palmer and Mandy Hazell

Finance & General Purposes – responsibilities include the quality of the learning environment and the academy budget.
Kevin O’Connell, Trish Phillips and Naomi Palmer

NameGovernor TypeTerm FromTerm ToRoles
Mr Kevin O’ConnellChair of Governors23 Jan 202318 Jan 2027Chair of the Local Governing Body
Safeguarding
Mrs Anne GardinerCommunity Governor10 Dec 201909 Dec 2027LAC
SEND
Mr Steffan GriffithsCommunity Governor01 Sep 202131 Aug 2025Able, Gifted & Talented
Miss Mandy HazellStaff Governor26 May 202125 May 2025
Miss Naomi PalmerPrincipal
Mrs Trish PhillipsCommunity Governor21 Jan 202307 Jun 2025Vice Chair of the Local Governing Body; Attendance; Mental Health & Wellbeing
Mr Andrew RoseStaff Governor31 Jan 202220 Jan 2026Pupil Premium
Mr Duncan TurtonParent Governor08 Sep 202207 Sep 2026Anti-bullying
Ms Christina ListerParent Governor10 Dec 202309 Dec 2027
Mrs Jennifer PerryCommunity Governor30 Sept 202429 Sept 2028Careers
NameRemoval ReasonGovernor TypeFirst AppointedLeaving Date
Mr John HowkinsResignedCommunity09 Mar 2105 Oct 24
Mr Carl FianderResignedCommunity23 Nov 2231 Aug 24
Mr Robert EllisResignedCommunity12 Apr 1918 Jul 24
Mrs Farida ThomsonResignedCommunity20 Nov 1705 Jul 24
Prof Helena GillespieResignedCommunity20 Nov 1711 Oct 23

Declarations of Interest

Governor Attendance 2023-24

Governance Documents

Scheme of Delegation

LGB Terms of Reference

Contacting the Chair of Governors

If you wish to contact our Chair of Governors, Kevin O’Connell, please do so via the school address listed above, marked for his sole attention, or email the PA to the Principal at: [email protected].