Governance is a key element of the leadership and management of the Griffin Schools Trust (GST) itself and of the schools individually and collectively. Please click here to see our Governance Structure.

The Trust (itself accountable to DfE) is the body to whom schools are directly accountable. It delegates autonomy to each Local Governing Board/Body (LGB) or School Improvement Board (SIB) according to the Scheme of Delegation.

The Trust Board is made up of experts in UK and international education as well as private sector professionals with a wide range of commercial experience and expertise. In keeping with our vision we also place an emphasis on attracting Trustees who have backgrounds and networks in Sport and the Arts. The Board acts as guardian to the Trust vision, and ensures that progress towards its fulfilment is underpinned with the highest standards of compliance with our regulators so that public funding is very well-used.

Serving as a governor in a GST school requires a commitment to the seven principles of public life and to a code of conduct which puts the school and its pupils at the centre. GST governors meet formally every thirteen weeks (i.e. once every school term) and much of the real work is done between these meetings, through Working Groups and individual contributions to the school’s life according to each governor’s skills and the needs of the school.

The role is very different from that of a governor in a Local Authority school, recognising that the Head is the school’s Chief Executive and the Board is there to advise, support and challenge through appropriate channels and to evidence the impact that governance is having on the school’s progress. As in the world of non-executive directors, GST governors are expected to bring their skills to bear and to work in co-operation and collaboration with the staff team, the whole Local Governing Body and the Trust to bring about rapid and sustained improvement for the pupils they serve.

The Trust is responsible for the appointment, performance management and professional development of the Heads, though the LGB’s work has a vital role to play in highlighting and evidencing the impact that the Head and governors are making through their termly meetings. Through their work in and for the school, governors come to know the school community and to be well-informed about its performance, able to talk about it confidently and accurately to the Trust, to Ofsted, to parents and to interested local groups.

We very much appreciate the work that governors do and the part they play in the success of the schools they serve and indeed of the Trust. We hope that governors find reward in the impact they make on young lives and their individual experience of the living reality of the GST motto: Proud Traditions Wide Horizons High Achievement.

The North Warwickshire Governing Board is:

Justin Creasey
Nikki Hamilton
Tracey Headley
Kevin Lamb
Anne Powell
Alison Ramsay – Chair

Justin Creasey

Justin has leadership experience in primary and secondary schools as a Head, Executive Head and School Improver.  A maths specialist, he has a keen interest in pedagogy and curriculum innovation and since joining GST, he has worked with schools to make sustainable step changes in outcomes and to speed their journeys to Griffin Great.

Nikki Hamilton

Nikki has over 25 years of experience in the education sector.  She worked for many years as a qualified teacher in KS2 leaving to take up a secondment at one of England’s top oil spill response centres to improve their training and educational programmes.  She is currently working for the Department of Education within 16 to 19 funding and is an experienced school Governor.  She firmly supports the ethos of providing a broad education experience for all and is keen to continue building positive relationships with our school families and wider community.

Tracey Headley

Tracey has vast experience in school business management having successfully led the Hub Operations teams in schools across all key stages and in different local authorities. She brings expertise in HR, finance, compliance and school operations to her role as Governor at Park Lane Primary and Race Leys Juniors and Race Leys Infants. Having recently been awarded a Masters in Business Management, Tracey is keen to use her skills as a Governor and follow her passion for ensuing all pupils benefit from the best possible opportunities.

Kevin Lamb

Kevin is an experienced school Governor who has served as a local Governor and as a member of the North Warwickshire Board. Kevin is committed to ensuring that the pupils in a Griffin school receive a rich and varied curriculum. His knowledge of the business sector brings experience and expertise to his role as a Governor.

Anne Powell

Anne is a music graduate who found her vocation in teaching in the least affluent communities in East London. As a primary Head and then Executive Head, Anne has led and supported rapid and sustainable improvement journeys in several GST schools, primary and secondary. Her leadership saw two long-term underperforming schools speed from special measures to confidently outstanding. The first GST Head to become the CEO on the strength of her record, Anne presides over the further realisation of the Trust’s vision. She is driven by a belief that good exam outcomes are the corollary of a great education and not its sole focus.

Alison Ramsay

Chair

Alison is a modern foreign languages graduate who has a passion for leading ambitious school communities and opening up the world to its students. As an experienced Secondary Head, Executive Head and School Improver, Alison has developed teams, mentored new leaders and supported schools through significant periods of change. Her belief in championing every young person, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, is at the heart of everything she does. Alison is an advocate for promoting sports and arts provision, and celebrating the achievements of young people in these areas.

Address of Chair:
Park Lane Primary School, Park Lane, Nuneaton, CV10 8NL