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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 Executive Principal 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 Executive Principal.
| Claire Shaw
| Appointed: 17th April 2023 Attendance 2023/24: 4/4 Declarations: Chair of Governors at Christ Church CE Primary School, Lichfield. Bio: I am the Principal at Eton Park and Lansdowne Academies. I believe that all children can achieve excellence in their learning. My philosophy of education is that our children’s emotional well-being, cultural experiences, health and wellbeing are as important as their academic achievements. |
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
| Appointed: 12 December 2023 Attendance 2023/24: 3/3 Declarations: Employed by The Affinity Learning Partnership. Bio: TBC |
| VACANCY | |
| VACANCY |
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 a teacher 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 computing curriculum. I have also recently begun to lead reading in the School. This year I am about to take on a distance part-time masters degree in education with Edge Hill University. |
| 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: TBC Bio: TBC |
| Steve Plumb | 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. Bio: Born in Burton I was educated at Richard Wakefield and the Forest of Needwood High School. After a brief period living in London, I returned to my home town. I currently work in a training environment in Leicester. Spare time interests include running, fitness and watch most sports. Along with being a Governor I am Assistant District Commissioner for the Scout Association involved in the cub scout section. I am also a mentor for a local charity (Eagles Nest) which helps and supports disadvantaged children. |
| Sue Rushton | First appointed: 08 April 2025 Attendance 2023/24: N/A Declarations: TBC Bio: TBC |
| VACANCY |
Previous Governors in the last 12 months
| Anne Andrews | First appointed: 03 September 2018 Attendance 2023/24: 4/4 Committee Membership: None Declarations: None declared |
| Caroline Fotheringham | First appointed: 20 January 2022 Attendance 2023/24: 3/4 Declarations: Employed by SARAC who provide preventative education |
| Sharon Fox | Appointed: 14 July 2020 Attendance 2023/24: 1/4 Declarations: None declared |
| Madelaine Burkett | Appointed: 03 April 2020 Attendance 2023/24: 2/4 Declarations: Principal at Burton Fields Academy |
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 |