Governance

Governance Structure

Our school is operated by Pontefract Academies Trust.

The Trust was created under the provisions of the Academies Act 2010, as amended by the Education Act 2011. Its structure of governance is constituted under the Articles of Association. The Trust is an exempt charity by virtue of the Charities Act 2011.

The Funding Agreement between the Department for Education (DfE) and the Trust sets out the terms and conditions on which grant is made. The Trust Board is responsible for ensuring that the conditions of grant are met. As part of this process the Trust is required to have in place appropriate arrangements for sound governance, financial management, securing value for money and accounting, and for using public funds for the purposes for which they were intended by Parliament.

This Trust Board is accountable in law for all decisions about its schools. This does not mean that the Trust Board is required to make all of the decisions itself. Some decisions can be, and are delegated, including to SPRB, delegated officers, and other Trust Board established committees. The Scheme of Delegation sets out the framework which the Trust Board has approved.

All governance documentation for the Trust, including the Funding Agreement, Scheme of Delegation and Articles of Association can be found here.

Northfield Primary School SPRB

The Northfield Primary School, De Lacy Primary School, and Larks Hill J & I School SPRB is a sub-committee of the Trust Board and has various responsibilities delegated to it through the Pontefract Academies Trust Governance Policy and Scheme of Delegation.

The SPRB of Northfield Primary School, De Lacy Primary School, and Larks Hill J & I School is currently made up of:

Name Role Appointed By From To
David Wilkins Chair (Safeguarding Link Rep)* Trust Board 13/12/2024 12/12/2028
Mik Shinn Vice Chair* Trust Board 23/12/2023 22/12/2027
Joe Ayre Headteacher at Northfield Ex-officio 101/06/2018 -
James Parkinson Headteacher at De Lacy Ex-officio 01/01/2021 -
Kara Adams Headteacher at Larks Hill Ex-officio 01/01/2022 -
Lauren Crowcroft SPRB Member (Staff) Trust Board 01/01/2024 31/08/2028
Miriam Abbott SPRB Member (Pupil Premium/Disadvantaged Link Rep) Trust Board 23/12/2023 22/12/2027
Sarah Oxley SPRB Member Trust Board 02/02/2024 01/02/2028
Sarah Soltysek SPRB Member (SEND Link Rep) Parent elected 23/12/2023 22/12/2027
Alex Lunn SPRB Member (Staff) Trust Board 07/03/2023 06/03/2027
Anthony Dee SPRB Member Trust Board 17/09/2022 16/09/2026

*subject to approval

The Chair can be contacted at the following address:

Northfield Primary School
South Kirkby,
Pontefract
WF9 3LY

or by email at dwilkins@patrust.org.uk

SPRB Current Register of Business Interests

 

Term start date Term end date Appointed by Name of company or business interest Nature of interest Date interest started Date interest ceased
Joe Ayre 01/09/2024 N/A Ex-Officio None declared
Kara Adams 01/09/2022 N/A Ex-Officio None declared
James Parkinson 01/01/2021 N/A Ex-Officio None declared
Mik Shinn 23/12/2023 22/12/2027 Trust Board Catherine Shinn Spouse 25/08/2012 -
Miriam Abbot 23/12/2023 22/12/2027 Trust Board Ackworth Scouts Chair of Trustee Board 09/01/2022 -
Sarah Soltysek 23/12/2023 22/12/2027 Trust Board None declared
Sarah Oxley 02/02/2024 01/02/2028 Trust Board None declared
Alex Lunn 07/03/2023 06/03/2027 Trust Board None declared
Anthony Dee 17/09/2022 16/09/2026 Trust Board New Collaborative Learning Trust Director/Advisor 02/09/2016 -
David Wilkins 13/12/2024 12/12/2028 Trust Board None declared
Lauren Crowcroft 01/09/2024 31/08/2028 Trust Board Fibre Dance and Acrobatics Director 08/03/2019 -
Katie Grimshaw 09/01/2024 12/01/2025 Trust Board None declared
Richard Brocklehurst 23/12/2023 26/11/2024 Trust Board None declared
Lee Bell 01/09/2023 19/05/2024 Trust Board None declared

SPRB Membership & Attendance Summary 2023/24

From To Appointed By Meetings Attended Out of a possible
Lee Bell 01/09/2023 05/03/2024 Ex Officio 2 2
Tom Fay 06/03/2024 N/A Ex Officio 1 1
Mik Shinn 23/12/2023 22/12/2027 Trust Board 2 2
Miriam Abbott 23/12/2023 22/12/2027 Trust Board 2 2
Sarah Solytsek 23/12/2023 22/12/2027 Trust Board (Parent) 2 2
Richard Brocklehurst 23/12/2023 22/12/2027 Trust Board 1 1
Katie Grimshaw 09/01/2024 08/01/2028 Trust Board (Staff) 2 2
Sarah Higginson 02/02/2024 01/02/2028 Trust Board (Staff) 2 2
David Wilkins 23/12/2023 22/12/2027 Trust Board 2 2