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Governance
Each academy in Affinity Learning Partnership has a Local Governing Body (LGB) which works on behalf of the Trust Board to exercise leadership in the running of the individual academy and hold the Principal and staff to account. The LGB is responsible for promoting high standards and strives to ensure that our young people are attending a successful academy which provides them with a good education and supports their well-being.
The role of the Local Governing Body:
- helping the Principal and senior leadership team to set high standards by planning for the academy´s future and setting performance targets for the academy;
- monitoring the effectiveness of the academy provision;
- the management of risks against the academy's risk register;
- acting as a critical friend to the Principal and senior leadership team, offering support and advice;
- helping the academy respond to the needs of parents and the community;
- helping make the academy be open and accountable to the public for what it does;
- working with the academy on planning and developing policies and keeping the academy provision under review; and
- exercising the responsibilities and powers delegated to it by the Directors in partnership with the Principal and staff.
The Trust board has established one Local Governing Body to oversee both Eton Park Junior Academy and Lansdowne Infant Academy.
Affinity Learning Partnership is currently recruiting for governors in both primary and secondary schools. Should you be interested please visit Affinity Learning Partnership's website.
If you wish to contact the Local Governing Body, you can do so by contacting Clare Hodson-Walker, Trust Governance Manager, by emailing trustgovernance@deferrerstrust.com or writing to:
Eton Park Junior School
Masefield Crescent
Burton on trent
DE14 2SG
Affinity Learning Partnership Governance Documents
Meet our Local Governing Body
Ex-Officio Governor
The Headteacher of our Academy also sits on our Local Governing Body as a Governor. They are referred to as an Ex-officio Governor, by virtue of their office. This means that they will remain a Governor for as long as they are employed in their role as Heateacher.
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| Appointed: September 2025 Attendance 2024/25: 4/4 Declarations: None Bio: In a slightly ‘different’ route into school leadership, I began my professional career in the financial services industry, spending nearly a decade working up to the position of Flagship Retail Branch Manager for a UK bank. While this was a valuable and rewarding experience, I felt drawn to make a more direct difference in people’s lives, which led me to pursue a career in education. I trained as a teacher through the School Direct PGCE programme in Warwickshire before joining St Edward’s Catholic Primary Academy in Swadlincote, where I worked for almost nine years. During my time there, I had the privilege of leading English across the school and later across the Trust, developing a strong passion for literacy and high-quality teaching. In 2023, I was appointed Vice Principal at Eton Park Junior Academy, and I have absolutely loved being part of the Affinity Learning Partnership and school community ever since. I am now honoured to lead our amazing school team as Headteacher, working alongside dedicated and talented staff to ensure every child belongs, progresses, and thrives. Outside of school, I am a huge Manchester United fan (a genuine one from Manchester!), coach my eldest son’s football team, and enjoy challenging myself as an avid runner in pursuit of new personal bests. I’m also a keen reader and podcast listener, particularly when it comes to travel and ancient history – perfect ways to relax and keep learning beyond the classroom. |
Board Appointed Governors
Governors who are Board Appointed are appointed by the Trust Board. Their term of office is four years. At Eton Park Junior and Lansdowne Infant, the governance structure allows for three Board Appointed Governors.
| Rida Amina
| Appointed: 12 January 2024 Attendance 2023/24: 2/3 Declarations: Married to member of LGB. Children attend Lansdowne Bio: TBC |
| Mark Hurst Chair of Governors
| Appointed: 12 December 2023 Attendance 2023/24: 3/3 Declarations: Employed by The Affinity Learning Partnership. Bio: TBC |
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Parent Governors
Parent Governors are elected by the parents/guardians of the students who attend Eton Park Junior and Lansdowne Infant. When a parent governor vacancy occurs, nominations are requested from all registered parents and guardians and an election takes place. Their term of office is four years. At Eton Park Junior and Lansdowne Infant the governance structure allows for two parent governors.
| Ayesha Arshad
| Appointed: 12 January 2024 Attendance 2023/24: 2/3 Declarations: Children attend Lansdowne Bio: TBC |
| Naseeb Ilyas | Appointed: 12 January 2024 Attendance 2023/24: 1/3 Declarations: Married to member of LGB Children attend Lansdowne Bio: TBC |
Staff Governors
The Staff Governor is elected by the staff based at Eton Park Junior and Lansdowne Infant. When a staff governor vacancy occurs, nominations are requested from all members of staff based at Eton Park Junior and Lansdowne Infant and an election takes place. Their term of office is four years. At Eton Park Junior and Lansdowne Infant the governance structure allows for two staff governors.
| Emma Mason
| Appointed: 03 September 2018 Attendance 2023/24: 4/4 Declarations: Partner is Director of Sporting PB Bio: I am the Assitant Headteacher at Eton Park and enjoy every moment of it, along with my role on the governing body. At Eton Park I am responsible for the provision for Pupil Premium children alongside being responsible for the Quality of Education at the Academy. |
| Helen Cotton
| Appointed: 14 July 2023 Attendance 2023/24: 4/4 Declarations: None declared Bio: TBC |
Co-opted Governors
At Eton Park Junior and Lansdowne Infant, the governance structure allows for the local governors listed above to co-opt to four further local governors to the local governing body in order to bring a specific skill set that will add value to the academy, making local governance even more efficient and effective. Co-opted governors have a term of office of four years.
| Amy Woodward
| First appointed: 08 April 2025 Attendance 2023/24: N/A Declarations: Husband works for Affinity Learning Partnership Central Team. Bio: I trained to be a Primary School teacher at Nottingham Trent University from 2015-2019 after having a life long dream of having my own classroom and classes of children. Since qualifying, I have taught in Leicestershire for the last 6 years, becoming a specialsit Key Stage 1 teacher and PE Lead too. I love bringing learning to life for the children I teach as well as providing sporting opportunities across the county. I want to be able to bring my education expertise to the community in which I live and to give something back, learning from my own educational experiences. I am really looking forward to working with Lansdowne, Eton Park and Affinity Learning Partnership. |
| Sue Rushton
| First appointed: 08 April 2025 Attendance 2023/24: N/A Declarations: Employed at Richard Wakefield CE Primary Academy (part of ALP). Bio: My name is Sue Rushton. I am a mum to a 12 year old son who attends the de Ferrers Academy. While my son was at primary school, I became a school governor. |
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Previous Governors in the last 12 months
| Steve Plumb | Resigned: 29th September 2025 First appointed: 07 July 2022 Attendance 2023/24: 3/4 Declarations: Employed by Leicestershire Police. Eagles Nest Mentor. Youth Worker at The Community Church. District Commissioner with Scout Association. |
Clerk to Governors
The Clerk provides professional advice to the Governing Body on governance, constitutional and procedural matters. They provide administrative support including minute taking and convening meetings, ensure the Governing Body is properly constituted and manage all Governing Body information effectively. It is the Clerk’s role to ensure the Governing Body meets all of its statutory duties.
| Clare Hodson-Walker | governance@affinitylp.co.uk |