Governors
The Local Governing Body (LGB):
Follows the 3 core functions set out in the Governance Handbook 2020:
- To ensure clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;
- To hold the head teacher to account for the educational performance of the Academy and its children;
- To oversee the financial performance of the Academy and making sure its money is well spent.
Together, the governors are responsible for:
- Setting aims and targets for the Academy and checking their progress towards attaining these;
- Monitoring how well the Academy’s policies and plans are working;
- Accounting for the performance of the Academy and the Local Governing Body;
- Working with the Head teacher to make sure that teaching at the Academy is effective and good quality and the children are making the best possible progress;
- Taking general responsibility for the Academy and its budget;
- Challenging and supporting the senior management team and taking opportunities to show interest in and appreciation of staff and children;
- Promoting the interests of the Academy and its children in the wider community.
The LGB comprises of:
Head teacher
Staff governor - elected by the staff at the Academy
2 Parent governor - elected from parents at the Academy
4 Co-opted governors - Invited by the LGB for their skill set from the local community
Associate members - Appointed by the governors to provide short term support in areas identified by the LGB. They have no voting rights and their term of office will be limited to 1 year.
Further information on governance and financial information can be found here, including:
- Scheme of Delegation
- Memorandum of Association
- Articles of Association
- Funding Agreement
- Annual Audited Accounts
- Annual report
- Register of interests of the accounting officer
- Notice to improve (if applicable)
- Off-payroll arrangements
- Number of employees whose gross annual salary exceeds £100, 000
Local Governing Body
Hannah Layfield - Head Teacher
Jane Makin - Co opted governor and Chair
Jane has spent 35 years in education working both within the state and independent sector. She is a great supporter and advocate of small rural schools. Latterly, she was a Head teacher of a small independent day school with a day care facility for babies and children from 0 - 11 years before taking early retirement to be able to spend time giving back to the world of education. During her 13 years of Headship Jane was a strategic leader within a Teaching Alliance and an ISI Inspector. Jane is also a governor of another local state school where she has delegated Governor responsibility for Safeguarding. Jane also acts as a mentor for Head teachers and consultant to schools. She has a passion for education and the holistic development of all children. She fully upholds the vision, values and ethos of Elevate. In her spare time she is a keen sportswoman, enjoying cycling, walking and skiing.
- Co opted governor
J
Emma Roberts - Elected Staff governor
Katie Parsons -Parent governor
Katie has followed the journey of Keeble from a prospective parents’ perspective in the early stages of the school’s concept and proposals, through to enrolling her child who started in nursery from its opening in September 2019. Katie has worked in PR and Communications for 12 years, which includes strategic experience of stakeholder engagement and supporting the establishment of a new business. Katie and her family live on the Gateway development and is passionate about supporting her local school as it establishes its future.
Hannah Secouet - Co Opted Governor
Following University, Hannah moved to London to work as a producer in radio and audio production for national networks and large corporate clients. In 2000, she joined the Central Office of Information, where she worked closely with central government policy makers in turning policies into public messages. After the birth of her daughter in 2010, she returned home to North Yorkshire with her family. Soon after her children started at Knayton C of E Academy, she began to volunteer in school, becoming a governor in 2014, with specific interest in SEND, and Chair of Governors in 2018. Hannah has a Level 3 Diploma in Specialist Support for Teaching and Learning in Schools, she also captains a team for Thirsk Hockey Club and helps coach their junior section.
Ian Haylett - Co-opted governor
Ian and his wife have both been the local Salvation Army ministers in Thirsk since 2018 and prior to that, held the same responsibilities in Selby for 12 years. As a resident of the Sowerby Gateway housing development, Ian enjoys being involved in the local community, working to bring a sense of unity and being particularly mindful to include those at the margins or who feel isolated. Ian is a Chaplain for the Thirsk Racecourse, actively involved in the Gateway residents group and he also volunteers at the Salvation Army charity shop in Thirsk. Before becoming a Salvation Army minister, Ian had a career in IT working for a global financial services company. In his spare time Ian enjoys films (he is a volunteer at the Ritz Cinema), Astronomy and baking bread! Ian feels honoured and privileged to be a part of the Keeble Academy and he looks forward to doing what he can to ensure that all children continue to be afforded the opportunities and encouragement that they need to fulfil their potential.".
Jane Long - Parent governor
Clerk: Dianne Mousley
Elevate's Head of Governance and Safeguarding. Dianne has a BA joint hons law and history and was then called to the Bar in 1981. She worked as an employed lawyer from 1982 to 1987. Since moving to North Yorkshire she joined North Yorkshire County Council governor support as a clerk to governing bodies until 2017 when she joined Elevate Multi Academy Trust. She achieved the National College for Teaching and Leadership qualification in 2014.
Governors 2021-2022
Name |
Term of Office |
Link Governor Role |
Name of Business |
Nature of Business |
Nature of Interest |
Hannah Layfield
|
N/A |
N/A |
Keeble Gateway |
Education |
Head Teacher |
Emma Roberts |
To 01.09.2025 |
|
Keeble Gateway |
Education |
Teacher |
Jane Makin Co opted |
To 27.09.2023 |
Safeguarding, Leadership and Management, Behaviour, Well-being and RSE |
Retired Knayton Academy
|
N/A Education |
N/A governor |
Ian Haylett Co opted |
To 01.09.2025 |
Finance |
|
||
Co opted |
|
|
|
||
Hannah Secouet Co opted |
To 01.09..2025 |
SEN, Pupil Premium, Quality of Education |
|
|
|
Katie Parsons parent |
To 27.09.2025 |
Health and Safety, Quality of Education: Writing and outcomes |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
Jane Long Parent |
To 23.09.2026 |
Early Years Foundation Stage |
N/A |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Julie Dent has resigned as a co opted governor on 16.05.2022
Tom Macdonald has resigned as a parent governor on 13.05.2022
Governor Attendance: