Search TwitterFacebookInstagram

Governance

Governance at Harborne Academy 2025-26

Harborne Academy Trust

Company Number: 07310176

A company limited by guarantee and a registered charity.

The Members of the Academy Trust shall comprise:

  • The signatories to the Memorandum, including the Foundation/Sponsor body.
  • The Foundation/Sponsor body, if not otherwise included.
  • Up to five persons appointed by the Foundation/Sponsor body.
  • Any person appointed under Article 15A by special resolution.

Minimum of three Members must be maintained.

Employees of the Academy Trust cannot be Members.

A majority of Members must not also be Trustees.

Trustees of the Academy Trust

  • Minimum of three Trustees.
  • Up to 4 Trustees appointed by Members.
  • Up to 3 Trustees appointed by the Foundation/Sponsor Body.
  • At least 2 Parent Trustees elected or appointed.
  • Principal may be appointed as a Trustee if they agree.
  • Co-opted Trustees may be appointed by non-co-opted Trustees.

No more than one third of Trustees may be employees of the Academy Trust.

Contact: For any queries relating to Governance, please contact:

Clare Baskott – Governance Professional Email: clare.baskott@harborneacademy.co.uk

 

Full Trust Board (FTB) and committee structure

Full Governing Board Membership

  • Nazmin Aktar – Parent Trustee
  • Louise Banks – Co-opted Trustee – Chair of FRPAR Committee
  • Ben Boden – Parent Trustee
  • Deborah Cole – Co-opted Trustee
  • Veronica Docherty – Co-opted Trustee – Chair of QofE Committee
  • Rosina Morris – Sponsor Trustee
  • Sarah Ross – Headteacher
  • Oliver Stokes – Sponsor Trustee
  • Sue Woodward – Co-opted Trustee
  • Fiona Yardley – Sponsor Trustee

The Trust Board meets at least three times each academic year.

In addition, there are two committees; the Finance, Resources, Premises, Audit & Risk Committee and the Quality of Education Committee who meet on a termly basis.

Broader issues are discussed and agreed at the two Committees and both report to the Full Trust Board.

Membership of the committees is broad and based around Trustees' skills mix.

Finance, Resources, Premises, Audit & Risk Committee (FRPAR)

Finance & Resources, Premises, Audit & Risk Committee (FRPAR)

The Finance & Resources, Premises, Audit & Risk Committee (FRPAR) is responsible for the sound management of the academy's finances including planning, probity and monitoring.

It also oversees the management of the budget as well as monitoring staffing, estates and Health & Safety.

The Committee oversees the process for providing assurances to the FTB that risks are being adequately identified and managed.

It is responsible for reviewing the risks to internal financial control and agreeing a programme of work that addresses these risks and, so far as is possible, provides assurance to the External Auditor.

Finance & Resources, Premises, Audit & Risk Committee Membership

  • Nazmin Aktar – Parent Trustee
  • Louise Banks – Co-opted Trustee – Chair of FRPAR Committee
  • Ben Boden – Parent Trustee
  • Deborah Cole – Co-opted Trustee
  • Rosina Morris – Sponsor Trustee
  • Sarah Ross – Headteacher (in attendance)
  • Fiona Yardley – Sponsor Trustee
  • Sue Woodward – Co-opted Trustee

The Quality of Education Committee

Quality of Education Committee

The Quality of Education Committee is responsible for reviewing the curriculum and ensuring that both the academic and wider curriculum offer reflects the school values. The Committee monitor and evaluate students' performance and takes into consideration recommendations relating to teaching and learning from external reviews of the school and ensures an appropriate plan is in place to act on any recommendations.

Quality of Education Committee Membership

  • Nazmin Aktar – Parent Trustee
  • Veronica Docherty – Co-opted Trustee – Chair of QofE Committee
  • Rosina Morris – Sponsor Trustee
  • Sarah Ross – Headteacher
  • Oliver Stokes – Sponsor Trustee
  • Sue Woodward – Co-opted Trustee

Additional Trustee Involvement

Keeping in touch sessions for Trustees (KITs)

Throughout the year, there is a planned calendar of “Keeping in Touch” sessions (KITs) for Trustees whereby they are provided with a briefing or update on a particular topic that is either of national or local relevance or specific to the academy. 

Link Trustee Scheme

Trustees are linked with specific areas within the academy to enable them to see the academy in action and to enable staff to get to know the Trustees.

Link Trustee Scheme

Trustees are linked with specific areas within the academy to enable them to see the academy in action and to enable staff to get to know the Trustees.

Outside of meetings, Trustees are heavily involved in academy life.  They attend a wide range of events including awards ceremonies, student productions and parents’ evenings.

Designated Areas Trustee HA SLT / Management Link
Leadership and Management Susan Woodward Sarah Ross (Headteacher)
Quality of Education Veronica Docherty Gregory Caines (Deputy Headteacher and Lead on Teaching and Learning)
Careers Veronica Docherty Andrew Farrell (AHT)
Culture for Learning Louise Banks

Gregory Cainer (Deputy Headteacher and Lead on Teaching and Learning)

Kevin Keelan (Assistant Headteacher, DSL and Pastoral)

Safeguarding Rosina Morris Kevin Keelan (Assistant Headteacher, DSL and Pastoral)
SEND Rosina Morris Matthew Fortune (Assistant Headteacher, SEN and Inclusion)
Pupil Premium Deborah Cole Sarah Ross (Headteacher)
Parent Engagement and Communication

TBC

Sarah Ross (Headteacher)
Finance, Health & Safety

Deborah Cole
Tim Graylen
Fiona Yardley

Debbie Smyth (Business Manager)
Human Resources and Staff Well-Being TBC Laura Harris (HR Lead)
IT Oliver Stokes Kevin Keelan (Assistant Headteacher, DSL and Pastoral)
Premises and Health & Safety Susan Woodward Debbie Smyth (Business Manager)
Audit and Risk Louise Banks Debbie Smyth (Business Manager)
Resources Susan Woodward Debbie Smyth (Business Manager)

 

Documents

Page Downloads Date  
Full Trust Board Calendar 2025 26 22nd Oct 2025 Download
HA Members Trustees Declarations Attenda... 17th Dec 2025 Download
@@HarborneAcademy05:31 PM - 20th March, 2026 To see what’s been happening at the academy this week, please see the link below to our weekly newsletter:Read more
@@HarborneAcademy11:46 AM - 20th March, 2026 Our Staff vs Students debate on banning social media for under‑16s was a huge success. Thoughtful points on both sides, but the staff came out on top! Well done to all the students who took part. pic.twitter.com/m3gk2nCgvu
@@HarborneAcademy09:22 AM - 20th March, 2026 The Yr7 football teams played their first fixtures with home games against Bournville School.  The B Team won both their games, 3-0 and 3-1 respectively.  The A Team won their first game 2-1 and lost the second 4-1.  All the students involved played really well! pic.twitter.com/QieGbE0ali
@@HarborneAcademy02:38 PM - 19th March, 2026 After going to see Matthew Bourne’s beautiful The Red Shoes this week, our students have been SO lucky to enjoy a workshop delivered by Isaac and Daisy from New Adventures. Thank you for visiting us and come back any time! pic.twitter.com/yWHHj3OSe9
@@HarborneAcademy02:10 PM - 19th March, 2026 On Wednesday, 20 of our brilliant Year 7 students performed at Birmingham Hippodrome’s ‘Percy Jackson Showcase’. They made us all – staff and families – very proud. Well done! Thank you to Birmingham Hippodrome for such a wonderful pic.twitter.com/BO2zL3cWn6
@@HarborneAcademy01:40 PM - 19th March, 2026 As part of STEM week, Year 9 students enjoyed exploring the wonders of the universe inside the planetarium. pic.twitter.com/q8NoL3sarQ
@@HarborneAcademy02:39 PM - 17th March, 2026 Students have enjoyed taking part in problem solving using different Maths puzzles and a paper aeroplane competition for STEM week. pic.twitter.com/kLmIcGoXaW
@@HarborneAcademy02:28 PM - 17th March, 2026 Today is PSHE day. Our students have had the opportunity to be involved in many workshops throughout the day such as energy efficiency and energy safety, Unifrog, team building, first aid, road safety, self-defence, fake news and much more! pic.twitter.com/zQH0la7bIU
@@HarborneAcademy02:38 PM - 16th March, 2026 Great session today with our Y7 students, delivered by STW Pupils learned about where our water comes from, how it’s treated, and why protecting our rivers and using water responsibly is so important. A fantastic and interactive workshop that our students really enjoyed! pic.twitter.com/N16DDhO0Fp
@@HarborneAcademy02:35 PM - 16th March, 2026 Congratulations! pic.twitter.com/51Qkn6K8LV
@@HarborneAcademy02:34 PM - 16th March, 2026 Well done to this week's stars of the week! pic.twitter.com/daKmtZS8Lv
@@HarborneAcademy02:31 PM - 16th March, 2026 This week is STEM week. pic.twitter.com/pI8j5JYWRg
Back to Top