Governance

The Trust Board has taken the opportunity of the award of the Northern Fund to strengthen governance. We have followed DFE guidance to clarify lines of accountability and terms of reference at each level of governance. We have also introduced separation between the levels of governance and enhanced the skill set of both members and Trustees. All members and Trustees are unpaid for this role.

Members Board

 

Ethos & Ethics - Paul Hardingham

Rev. P Hardingham Foundation member (Representative of incumbent of St Paul’s) and Chair of Members board

Awarded a BSc from University of London and a BA from Cambridge. Paul was ordained in 1978.
Vicar of one of the largest churches in the Diocese of Manchester, with approximately 600 adults and 200 children spread across 6 congregations and 5 different buildings, Paul holds a key leadership role in the community.

Community  - Vacancy

 

Legal - Vacancy

 

Project Management - Peter Bond

Peter Bond Foundation member  (Chair of Trustee board)

Peter has extensive experience as a project officer at MBDA systems (retired). He has skills in project management, financial planning, and strategic planning.  With over 20 years of experience as school governor, under his chairmanship, St Paul's CE Primary, Astley Bridge was graded outstanding   

Foundation

Deborah Smith (Diocesan)

Director of Education for Manchester Diocese from November 2019. Previously worked as Deputy Director of Education for Carlisle Diocese. Over 30 years’ experience in education and has taught across Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 through to Higher Education. As a Senior Lecturer at Liverpool Hope University, delivered on both undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes. Achieved Master of Science degree in Education and is a Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching. Also an experienced SIAMS inspector. Passionate about the way education can open opportunities for all children and supports the Church of England vision for education of ‘life in all its’ fullness’ being made available to all.

Trustees

 

 

 

Project Management

Peter Bond Foundation (DBE) Chair - Peter has extensive experience as a project officer at MBDA systems (retired). He has skills in project management, financial planning, and strategic planning.  With over 20 years of experience as school governor, under his chairmanship, St Paul's CE Primary, Astley Bridge was graded outstanding.   

Safeguarding & Ethos and Ethics 

Sharon Hassall  - Safeguarding Link Trustee

With over 35 years of experience in safeguarding across the statutory, education, and voluntary sectors. Sharon's career spans various operational and strategic roles, with a strong emphasis on partnership working to achieve collaborative outcomes.

Sharon began her career as a Children's Residential Social Worker and has since held leadership roles in social work, early years, children's centres, and safeguarding. She has managed multi-disciplinary teams, developed safeguarding policies, led inspections, and delivered high-quality training. Sharon's expertise extends to overseeing complex casework, supporting survivors of abuse, and conducting safeguarding reviews for local authorities and faith organisations.

As the former Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser for the Church of England in Lancashire, Sharon played a pivotal role in implementing safer church practices. More recently, she has worked in adult social care and emotional well-being services, co-delivering therapeutic programmes for children and families.

Legal

Vacancy

Finance & Risk

Andrew Simm

 Qualified as a Chartered Accountant in April 2001, spent nearly 20 years in the Profession working in practice, with a stint in Industry from 2003-2006. Has experience in the following:   

 Preparing accounts for small/medium sized companies and Charities  

Advising owner-managed businesses on accounting, taxation and other business matters,   

Advising on VAT matters   

Management accounts preparation/review Forecasting/budgeting  

Auditing limited companies  

HR 

Vacancy

 

School Improvement

Pamela Carter
A retired Headteacher, Pamela took her school to triple Outstanding for both SIAMS and Ofsted inspections. Pamela continues to work as a part time school improvement partner for 11 primary schools in Lancashire. Pamela has a depth of experience in holding schools to account and providing constructive challenge and support to schools in a wide range of circumstances.  

Strategy & Compliance

Michael Crossley - Cyber Security Link Trustee
Production project manager at MBDA, STEAM ambassador. Skills in international project and senior corporate management. 20 years of experience as a school governor.    

Standards

Jane Austin
Recently retired from a career in education that included teaching and leadership roles in primary and secondary schools, including in the developing world. Janet was previously a local authority inspector and held the position of Director of Excellence in Cities, a government initiative to reduce the impact of deprivation on children's learning. Appointed HMI in 2003 and worked directly for Ofsted for 13 years, specialising in supporting improvement in failing schools. Jane subsequently worked part-time as a contractor for Ofsted for several years.

Governance

Vacancy

 

• Trustee Attendance 22-23 download_for_offline
  download_for_offlineTrustee Attendance 22-23
• Trustee Attendance 23-24 download_for_offline
  download_for_offlineTrustee Attendance 23-24
• Trustee Attendance 24-25 download_for_offline
  download_for_offlineTrustee Attendance 24-25

 

 

  

 

Trustees	Start Date	End Date
Mrs Jane Austin	13/10/20	12/10/24	Member Appointed Trustee
Mr Pete Bond	01/07/19	01/07/27	Member Appointed Trustee
Ms Pamela Carter	28/11/22	27/11/26	Member Appointed Trustee
Mr Mick Crossley	18/10/16	17/10/24	Member Appointed Trustee
Mr Andrew Simm	01/10/17	30/09/25	Member Appointed Trustee
Mrs Sharon Hassall	01/04/25	31/03/29	Member Appointed Trustee
Mrs Anne Casey	08/01/24	Resigned 28.01.25	Member Appointed Trustee

 

 Audit & Risk Committee