The role of the Local Governing Body at The Ruth Gorse Academy is to help the establishment fulfil its main aim: which is to provide the best possible education for all of its students.
- Governors have responsibility with the Principal for deciding, reviewing and monitoring many of the policies, plans and procedures within which the academy operates
- The governors’ role is strategic. The Principal’s role is both strategic and operational
It is important to recognise that governors are part of a team. They all have equal status and though they are appointed by different groups (parents, staff, The Gorse Academies Trust), their main concern is the welfare of the whole academy
- Governors make decisions democratically, by consensus. Governors do not have individual powers to act alone
- Governors have a duty to act fairly and without prejudice at all times
- Governors share the responsibility of appointing staff with the academy and must act in the same way as any good employee
- Governors should consider carefully how their own decisions might affect other academies
- Governors should encourage openness in all of their work for the academy and should welcome enquiries from parents and the general public
The governing body meets five times each academic year. During these meetings they systematically challenge leaders on all aspects of the academy. This includes, but not exclusively, the effectiveness of:
- Attainment and progress
- Finance and estates
- Personal development, behaviour and welfare
- Safeguarding
- The quality of teaching and its impact over time
- SMSC and MBV
- The use of pupil premium funding
- Catch up funding
If you wish to contact the Chair of Governors, please contact [email protected]
Please mark your email ‘FAO Chair of Governors’.
Please find the link to the Complaints Policy here
| Name | Category | Date of Appointment | End of Term of Office | Area of Responsibility | Voting Rights | Business Interests | Other establishments they govern | Any relations within the Academy | 2024/25 Attendance | 2025/26 Attendance | 2026/27 Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Susan Leonard | Staff | 18/06/2026 | 17/06/2030 | Pupil Premium Safeguarding |
Yes | None | None | None | 3/3 | 3/3 | |
| Sheikh Maalik | Parent | 02/03/2023 | 01/03/2027 | Teaching & Learning | Yes | None | None | None | 2/3 | 2/3 | |
| Paul Jonsen (Vice Chair) | GORSE Appointed | 18/06/2026 | 17/06/2030 | Health & Safety Teaching & Learning Finance PPM |
Yes | None | Governor at BSA LGB | None | 3/3 | 3/3 | |
| Stephen Hall (Chair) | GORSE Appointed | 18/06/2026 | 17/06/2030 | Policy Committee PPM |
Yes | Network Integration Technologies LTD (t/a iTogether) – I have known the owner, Simon Richardson, for over 20 years and worked closely with him over those years and since retirement continued to provide advice/guidance on specific areas of IT. | Director at The GORSE Academies Trust Chair of Governors at Boston Spa Academy Commenced 1 September 1996 and Chair of Governors at Richmond Hill Academy Commenced 8 April 2024 |
None | 3/3 | 3/3 | |
| Tony Wildgoose | Community | 18/06/2026 | 17/06/2030 | CEIAG Health & Saftey | Yes | Openreach/BT – employee and share holder End Point Assessor – Invigilator for Pearson |
Governor at Boston Spa LGB | None | 3/3 | 3/3 | |
| Sarata Sawo | Community | 02/07/2025 | 01/07/2029 | Attendance Pupil Voice |
Yes | None | Greenmount Primary School | None | 1/1 | 2/3 | |
| Saba Mir | Principal | N/A | N/A | Yes | None | None | None | – | 3/3 | ||
| Natasha Leite | Parent | 07/10/2026 | 06/10/2030 | Yes | – | – |
ALL COMPANY DOCUMENTATION RELATING TO THE GORSE ACADEMIES TRUST, INCLUDING THE SCHEME OF DELEGATION, CAN BE FOUND ON OUR TRUST WEBSITE AT www.tgat.org.uk/company-documentation
An overview of the board members can be found on the following link: The Board – The GORSE Academies Trust
| Name | Date Left | Governed At |
|---|---|---|
| Ben Mallinson | September 2025 | TRGA |
| Matthew Perry | June 2026 | TRGA |
