Governance
At Tyne and Wear Learning Trust our governance framework is designed to ensure that all decisions align with our high standards of educational excellence and integrity. We work closely with parents, staff, and the wider community to nurture a supportive and enriching environment for every child. Our Trust is overseen by a skilled team of trustees who bring a wealth of expertise and a shared commitment to the educational success and well-being of all pupils in all schools.
The members determine the ethos and purpose of the Trust and the way it will be governed - this is set out in the Articles of Association.
Click here for further information can be found on Governance in Academies.
Tyne and Wear Learning Trust Members
- Mrs Andrea Whitaker-Lindsley – appointed on 07/03/2014
- Mr Geoff Seagrove – appointed on 15/03/2017
- Mr Anthony Mills – appointed on 31/05/2019
- Mrs Nicola Procter – appointed on 14/12/2021
- Mrs Emma Reay – appointed on 11/05/2024
Recent resignations
- Mr Peter Cutts – resigned on 04/03/2024
- Mr Stephen Wharton (also Chair of Trustees) – resigned on 20/11/2023
The Trust Members devolve the day-to-day running of the Academy Trust to a Board of Trustees.
Board of Trustees 2024-2025
| Mr Stephen Wharton | Chair of Trustees Co-opted by board – term ends 13/11/2027 |
| Mrs Ashley Emmerson | Headteacher / Accounting Officer Ex-officio by virtue |
| Mrs Donna Hargrave | Vice Chair of Trustee Co-opted by board – term ends 13/11/2027 |
| Mr Kevin Bainbridge | Trustee Co-opted by board – term ends 29/11/2025 |
| Mrs Lindsay Williams | Trustee Co-opted by board – term ends 04/03/2026 |
| Mrs Victoria Barkess | Trustees Co-opted by board – term ends 13/11/2027 |
| Mrs Jacqueline Gilmore | Trustees Co-opted by board – term ends 01/09/2028 |
| Mrs Carol Palmer | Trustees Co-opted by board – term ends 20/09/2028 |
Board of Trustees / Local Governing Body 2023-24
In 2023-24 there were 9 meetings in total, these can be broken down as:
- 3x Full Termly- All Trustees and Local Governors invited
- 3x Audit, Risk and Finance Committee - Relevant committee members only
- 1x Personnel Committee - Relevant committee members only
- 1x Annual General Meeting (AGM) - Board of Trustees, Local Governing Body and Members invited
- 1x Extra Full Trustees meeting - All Trustees and Local Governors invited.
Below is the attendance of individual trustees and local governors:
| Trustees | Meetings attended | Out of possible |
|
S Wharton (Chair of Trustees) |
8 | 9 |
|
A Emmerson Trustee: Ex-officio by virtue Accounting Officer |
8 | 9 |
|
D Hargrave Trustee: co-opted |
7 | 9 |
|
K Bainbridge Trustee: co-opted |
9 | 9 |
|
L Williams Trustee: co-opted |
7 | 8 |
|
V Barkess Trustee: co-opted Appointed 10/11/2023 |
2 | 3 |
|
C Nellist Associate Member: Ex-officio by virtue Chief Financial Officer |
5 | 5 |
|
Local Governors |
Meetings attended | Out of possible |
|
A Hall Local Governor (Parent) Term ended 29/11/2023 |
0 | 1 |
|
D Scaman Local Governor (Parent) Term ended 29/11/2023 |
0 | 1 |
|
A Butler Local Governor (Co-opted) Appointed 12/12/2023 |
2 | 2 |
| J Sharples Local Governor (Parent) Appointed 12/12/2023 |
2 | 2 |
|
J Vincent Local Governor (Co-opted) Appointed 12/12/2023 |
2 | 2 |
|
L Stewart Local Governor (Parent) Appointed 12/12/2023 |
1 | 2 |
|
K Sadler Local Governor (Staff) Resigned 21/10/2023 |
1 | 1 |
|
D Smith Local Governor (Staff) Resigned 16/02/2024 |
1 | 1 |
|
H Procter Local Governor (Staff) Appointed 22/10/2023 |
3 | 3 |
|
K Goss Local Governor (Staff) Appointed 22/03/2024 |
2 | 2 |
|
J Murray Local Governor (Co-opted) Appointed 22/01/2024 |
2 | 2 |
Freedom of Information
Barnwell Academy Trust makes available for public inspection:
- the agenda for every meeting of the trustees, local governing bodies and committees
- the approved minutes of each meeting
- any report, document or other paper considered at each meeting.
Please submit a freedom of information request to c.nellist@tyneandwearlt.co.uk detailing your reason for the request and trustees will consider and release the requested information.
The trust may exclude from any item any material relating to:
- a named teacher or other employee or proposed employee
- a named pupil or student at the academy, or candidate for admission or referral to it
- any matter which, by reason of its nature, the trustees are satisfied should remain confidential.