The Academy Committee

The Academy Committee (AC) has a vital role in the governance of the Penrose Learning Trust.  It is accountable to the Board of Trustees and supports the Trustees and Trust school leaders to deliver their responsibilities, and commit to the vision, values and strategic objectives of the trust. Visit the Penrose Learning Trust's website for a wide range of information.

The AC Chair has a Trust-wide leadership role in ensuring that the AC fulfils its accountabilities and maintains effective communication with the Board of Trustees and the CEO.  

The knowledge, experience and skills of the AC members enable the AC to:

> monitor school performance and outcomes and to challenge school leaders on that performance;

> identify and agree school improvement priorities and to monitor progress against those priorities within the School Development Plan;

> have a fundamental role in leading the strategic oversight of safeguarding and assuring the Trust that effective safeguarding is in place in the school; this includes safeguarding in its widest form focusing on attendance, welfare and pastoral care;

> take primary responsibility for the Trust’s strategic ambitions for effective community engagement and promotion of the school in its community.

Further details of the governance of the Trust can be accessed in the Penrose Learning Trust's website and Scheme of Delegation policy.

To view the trust's annual Report and Financial Statements, please click here

We are very grateful for the time given to governance within our Trust and value the important part AC members contribute to each of our schools.

If you are interested in joining the Academy Committee, please email our Governance Manager, cbarratt@penroselearningtrust.uk.

 Committee Structure

 The Academy Committee only has Full Academy Committee meetings.

 Code of Conduct

 Please click to access the Code of Conduct

 Business and Other Interests

 Please click to access the list of Pecuniary Interests 2024-2025

 Meeting Attendance

 Please click below:

Meeting Attendance 2023-2024

Meeting Attendance 2022-2023

  Membership of the Academy Committee

• Mr Nigel Andrews
  Trust Appointed Member (Chair)
  Mr Nigel Andrews

  Term of Office 10/02/2022 - 09/02/2026

  I joined the Academy Committee (Governing Body) in February 2018 and I was elected to the role of Chair in July 2022. We have a very experienced Academy Committee who come from a wide sector of the community and have the expertise to provide a strong base for strategic oversight for the school.

  I have spent a number of years as a senior manager working within local authorities housing service, where I led on service improvement and project management as well as being the lead officer for tenancy support services, safeguarding adults and working with troubled families. I am passionate about education and community involvement and delighted to be given the opportunity to serve as a Trust member and Chair of the Academy Committee of a thriving and ambitious school.

• Mr Ed Voller
  Trust Appointed Member
  Mr Ed Voller

  Term of Office 06/06/2022 to 05/06/2026

  My relationship with Claydon High School goes back nearly 15 years. I have worked in the school as a Cover Supervisor and a teacher in the Mathematics Faculty. During this time I was also a Staff Governor and subsequently a staff member of the Academy Committee when it first formed. Since leaving teaching I have maintained my links with the school, currently serving as a ‘Trust Appointed Member’ with responsibility for Student Standards, Pupil Premium and Transition.

• Ms Emily Ruegg
  Trust Appointed Member
  Ms Emily Ruegg

  Term of Office 13/07/2023 - 12/07/2027

• Ms Petra Lahtinen-Kalsi
  Trust Appointed Member
  Ms Petra Lahtinen-Kalsi

  Term of office 13/10/2023 - 12/10/2027

• Mr Tom Booth
  Parent Member (Vice Chair)
  Mr Tom Booth

  Term of Office 17/03/2022 to 16/03/2026

• Mrs Claire Welsby
  Parent Member
  Mrs Claire Welsby

  Term of Office 06/02/23 - 05/02/27

  Named committee member for Safeguarding and Online Safety

• Mr Mark Ismay
  Staff Member (Headteacher)
  Mr Mark Ismay

• Mr Richard Pope
  Staff Member (SENDCo)
  Mr Richard Pope

  Term of Office 18/12/2023 - 17/12/2027

  I have been SENDCo at Claydon High School for fourteen years. Before that I worked in a number of high schools in the Ipswich and Felixstowe area. I have always been passionate about ensuring children with additional needs get the right support. Outside of school I am a local Councillor serving on Ipswich Borough Council. I have in the past been a director of a number of local charities and I currently sit on the Fair Trade Steering Group in Ipswich.

• Mrs Julie Nicholls
  Staff Member
  Mrs Julie Nicholls

  Term of Office 20/09/2023 - 19/09/2027

Please click to access Membership of the Academy Committee 2023-2024