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 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 is currently made up of:

Name Role Appointed By From To
Mik Shinn Chair (Safeguarding Link Rep) Appointed by GB/Board 23 Dec 2023 22 Dec 2027
David Wilkins SPRB Member Appointed by GB/Board 23 Dec 2023 22 Dec 2027
Katie Grimshaw SPRB Member Appointed by GB/Board 9 Jan 2024 8 Jan 2028
Joe Ayre Headteacher Ex-officio by virtue of office as headteacher/principal 1 June 2018 -
Miriam Abbott Vice Chair (Pupil Premium/Disadvantaged Link Rep) Appointed by GB/Board 23 Dec 2023 22 Dec 2027
Sarah Higginson SPRB Member Appointed by GB/Board 2 Feb 2024 1 Feb 2028
Sarah Soltysek SPRB Member (SEND Link Rep) Parent elected. 23 Dec 2023 22 Dec 2027

The Chair can be contacted at the following address:

Northfield Primary School
South Kirkby,
Pontefract
WF9 3LY

SPRB Current Register of Business Interests

 

Role Term start date Term end date Appointed by Name of company or business interestn Nature of interest Date interest started Date interest ceased
Joe Ayre Headteacher at Northfield 01/09/2024 N/A Ex-Officio None declared
Mik Shinn Chair 23/12/2023 22/12/2027 Trust Board Catherine Shinn Spouse 25/08/2012 -
Miriam Abbot Vice Chair 23/12/2023 22/12/2027 Trust Board Ackworth Scouts Chair of Trustee Board 09/01/2022 -
Sarah Soltysek SPRB Member 23/12/2023 22/12/2027 Trust Board None declared
R Brocklehurst SPRB Member 23/12/2023 22/12/2027 Trust Board None declared
Katie Grimshaw SPRB Member 09/01/2024 08/01/2028 Trust Board None declared
Sarah Higginson SPRB Member 02/02/2024 01/02/2028 Trust Board None declared
David Wilkins SPRB Member 14/12/2020 13/12/2024 Trust Board None declared
L Bell Headteacher at Northfield (Sep 2023-May 2024) 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
L Bell (Headteacher) 01/09/2023 05/03/2024 Ex Officio 2 2
Tom Fay (Interim Headteacher) 06/03/2024 N/A Ex Officio 1 1
Mik Shinn (Chair) 23/12/2023 22/12/2027 Trust Board 2 2
Miriam Abbott (Vice Chair) 23/12/2023 22/12/2027 Trust Board 2 2
Sarah Solytsek 23/12/2023 22/12/2027 Trust Board (Parent) 2 2
R 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