The Mill Primary Academy is an academy as part of The Kemnal Academies Trust (TKAT). TKAT is a multi-academy trust which was established on 1st September 2010. Its constitution is set out in the Articles of Association and this is shared with individual academies via the scheme of delegation. TKAT have, through the scheme of delegation, established Local Governing Bodies for each of the Academies.
Current Governance Impact Statement for 2021-2022 is linked below
Membership
The constitution of the LGB is made up of:
- 1 Headteacher
- 2 Staff Governors
- 5 Appointed Governors
- 2 Parent Governors
- Chair of Governors: Ben Cooper, an appointed governor.
- Vice-Chair of Governors: Chris Webb, an appointed governor.
The Mill Primary Academy – Governor Mission Statement
The Local Governing Body is committed to realising the vision that The Mill Primary Academy will become an outstanding provider of education.
Our governors, alongside the trust, seek to support the headteacher and all staff at The Mill in: their endeavor to create opportunity for all pupils; ensuring that learning and fun coexist and in upholding the vision that The Mill provides an exceptional educational offer to be proud of.
For our scheme of delegation click here.
The Local Governing Body of each of the Academies is responsible for fulfilling the strategic and operational governance role in the conduct of the Academy.
Please click here for the link to the Directors of the TKAT Board.
Please click here for the link to Governance information relating to TKAT, including the structure of governance and relevant details about Trustees terms of office, attendance and business interests.
Please click here for key documents including the Master Funding Agreement, Articles of Association and Accounts.
Governors Meetings
There are six meetings of the full Local Governing Body (LGB) each academic year. One per half term. At present there are no standing committees, however, a pay awards committee will be formed in the Autumn term each year to review annual staff pay awards.
Parent Governor Appointments
All parents/carers are contacted when a parent/carer governor vacancy arises and are invited to apply. If more than one application is received, we undertake a ballot of parent/carers to determine who will fill the vacancy.
Appointed Governors
If you’re interested in becoming a governor and you are not a parent/carer of a pupil or a member of staff, you can join us as an Appointed Governor. Please email the Clerk for further information on how to apply.
Teaching/Staff Governors
Teacher governors are invited to apply to be a Staff Governor when a vacancy arises, and should the school receive more than one teacher application we undertake a ballot process to determine who will fill the vacancy.
The term of office for all types of Governor is 4 years. Governors can stand for multiple terms of office.
Chair and Vice Chair
The Chair and Vice-Chair of the Governing Body are elected annually at the first meeting of the Academic year, or as necessary in the event of a resignation.
For further information on matters relating to the Governing Body please contact the Clerk in the first instance.
Look at the bottom of the page for Governor Action Plan, year planner and our Governor Handbook.
Click here to read the End of Year Governor Impact Statement for 2021-2022.
Please click here to read the Constitution of the Local Governing Body of The Mill Primary Academy.
Chair of Governors Appointed Governor
Ben Cooper
Current Term: 12th July 2022 – 11th July 2026
Start date: 12th July 2022
Declarations of interest including transactions to 31st August 2023: no transactions with TKAT 22-23.
Consultant Chair of Governors at Broadfield Primary Academy – Start – 01.09.2022 – End – ongoing
Consultant Chair of Governors at Front Lawn Primary Academy – Start – 01.12.2021 – End – ongoing
Consultant Chair of Governors at The Bewbush Academy (TKAT) – Start – 01.09.2022 – End – ongoing
Governor at Havant Academy – Start – 01.011.2020 – End – ongoing
Director of Marketing company Recenseo – 8th December 2018
Attendance at Local Governing Body meetings: Academic year 2022-23 – 100%
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Vice Chair Appointed Governor
Chris Webb
I have been delighted to have been a governor of the Mill Academy since July 2015. I originally trained as a Chartered Accountant and so one of the areas I focus on is supporting the school budget management process. My current day job is as a consultant helping developing country governments develop their economies in ways that are both good for the environment and lift people out of poverty. As this work is mostly funded by the public sector I spend a lot of time working to ensure we deliver the best outcomes within a limited budget, and can measure our ‘impact’ – challenges that I think similarly apply to the education sector. Although growing up in Chester (and therefore geographically close enough to claim to be a ‘proper’ Liverpool supporter) I have been living in Sussex for the past 6 years, with my wife, who is a teacher at the school, and our two young daughters.
Current Term 19th September 2023 to 18th September 2027
Start date: 1st May 2015
Declarations of interest including transactions to 31st August 2023: Nil
Attendance at Local Governing Body meetings: Academic year 2022-23 67%
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Appointed Governor
Ann Woolfe
Ann has 26 years’ experience across several disciplines gained in various financial services companies. In particular, Risk, Governance, HR, Recruitment and Financial Crime Prevention. Ann has recently decided to transfer to the education sector and joined TKAT on the Local Governing Board at The Mill in March 2022.
Ann is a seasoned runner. She completed the London Marathon in 2018 and has completed several half marathons. She lives in Reigate with her husband and their Spanish stray rescue dog.
Current Term: 1st March 2022 – 1st March 2026
Start date: 1st March 2022
Declarations of interest including transactions to 31st August 2023: Trustee at King’s Group Academies since Feb 22 and a Governor at Rivermead School since Feb 22.
Attendance at Local Governing Body meetings: Academic year 2022-23 100%
Parent Governor
Stephanie Biden
I am a Parent Governor, having been appointed to the role in July 2019. I currently work for the National Health Service where I manage risk and governance for Medicine at a local acute hospital. My remit in the health service is to help to measure what can go wrong, support change to mitigate risk, and ensure robust processes are in place to keep our hospital safe for patients and staff. My experience includes confidently levying a great deal of professional challenge to my colleagues in order to identify areas which require quality improvement. I moved to England in 2008 having been born and raised in the USA. I also sit on the committee and am a performing member of the local group Crawley Millennium Concert Band serving in the capacity as the piccolo player in the flute section. I have two little girls who are students at the Mill. I believe in the quality of education they are receiving therefore am happy to be a part of the system that ensures the quality at The Mill stays as good as it is and improves even further.
Current Term: 19th September 2023 – 18th September 2027
Start date: 1st July 2019
Declarations of interest including transactions to 31st August 2023: Nil.
Attendance at Local Governing Body meetings: Academic year 2022-23 57%
Staff Governor
Nichola Jones
I have been a teacher at the Mill since 2013,which was when I completed my NQT in Year 1. During my time at The Mill I have taught in Year 1 for 3 years, Year 2 and I am presently Year lead of Year 4, a year group that I have taught for 3 years. I have seen many changes to the school during my time and I feel that the school has gone from strength to strength finding its own identity. I have seen it moved towards becoming a school that is supportive of all children and has enabled children to become creative and independent learners no matter the obstacles they face . Within this learning environment, I believe that with my professional development as a teacher it has paralleled this ethos. As such, I feel that within the role of governor I can contribute effectively and work alongside other governors to move the school forward in a positive way.
Current Term: 30th November 2020 – 30th November 2024
Start date: 30th November 2020
Declarations of interest including transactions to 31st August 2023: Nil
Attendance at Local Governing Body meetings 2022/23 100%
Parent Governor
Naiha Bij
Current Term: 18th May 2023 – 17th May 2027
Start date: 18th May 2023
Declarations of interest including transactions to 31st August 2023: Nil
Attendance at Local Governing Body meetings 2022/23: 33% (due to appointment)
I have been appointed the role of a parent governor since July 2023, so I am very new to the system. I was previously a HR Manager for a well-known UK Bank. Much of my role was to ensure we met recruitment service level agreements and budgets were adhered to. Another crucial part of my role was to ensure the working environment for my team was safe, happy, and fruitful for all wanting to develop their skill sets.
Appointed Governor
Hollie Panther
Current Term: 21st March 2023 – 20th March 2027
Start date: 21st March 2023
Declarations of interest including transactions to 31st August 2023: Nil
Attendance at Local Governing Body meetings 2022/23: 50% (due to appointment)
Appointed Governor
Senlika Steulet
Current Term: 21st March 2023 – 20th March 2027
Start date: 21st March 2023
Declarations of interest including transactions to 31st August 2023: Nil
Attendance at Local Governing Body meetings 2022/23: 50% (due to appointment)
Staff Governor
Oliver Moutrey
I have been a teacher at the Mill since September 2021. Before joining, I finished studying at the University of Brighton gaining my teaching qualification. I am coming up to completing my first (now called) ECT year in Year 1. During my short time at The Mill, I feel so confident and reassured that my decision to work and teach here was the right one!
The school’s ‘vibe’ is one that I strongly associate with. I fall very close in line with the school’s ethos, values and visions and enjoy my time here supporting staff and pupils in their everyday life, ensuring the best interests of learning are met. I have such a big passion towards the things that we do for our children and how we can best support them for their future, that I feel now my role as a a governor can ensure we create the best opportunities for our children and staff.
Current Term: 1st June 2022 – 30th May 2026
Start date: 1st June 2022
Declarations of interest including transactions to 31st August 2022: Nil.
Attendance at Local Governing Body meetings 2022-23 83%
Headteacher
Sophie Gosden
As headteacher my role in reporting to the governors is very important. Whilst I have the Director from TKAT holding the accountability, I need and enjoy the challenge from governors who represent our community well. They keep me on my toes and push me on a regular basis. I enjoy their challenge and feel we work very well together.
Current Term 1st September 2018
Start date: 1st September 2018
Declarations of interest including transactions to 31st August 2023: Nil.
Attendance at Local Governing Body meetings: Academic year 2022-2023 86%
Leavers 2022 23
Gareth Smith
Term: 29th March 2019 – 29th March 2023
Start date: 29th March 2019
Resigned March 2023
Declarations of interest including transactions to 31st August 2023: Nil.
Attendance at Local Governing Body meetings: Academic year 2021-2022 29%
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