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 and Safeguarding Link Representative 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 24 8 Jan 28
Joe Ayre Headteacher Ex-officio by virtue of office as headteacher/principal 1 Sep 2024 -
Miriam Abbott Vice Chair - Pupil Premium/Disadvantaged Link Representative Appointed by GB/Board 23 Dec 2023 22 Dec 2027
Richard Brocklehurst SPRB Member 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 SEND Link Representative Elected by parents 23 Dec 2023 22 Dec 2027

The Chair can be contacted at the following address:

Northfield Primary School
South Kirkby,
Pontefract
WF9 3LY

Our SPRB

SPRB Current Register of Business Interests

  Role Name of business or organisation/educational organisation Nature of business or organisation Nature of interest Date of appointment of acquisition Date of cessation of interest
M Shinn Chair TBC
D Wilkins SPRB Member None declared
K Grimshaw SPRB Member None declared
J Ayre Headteacher None declared
M Abbott SPRB Member 1st Ackworth Scouts Scouting Chair of the Board/Group 01/06/2023
R Brocklehurst Chair TBC
S Higginson SPRB Member None declared
S Soltysek SPRB Member None declared

SPRB Membership & Attendance Summary 2023/24

From To Appointed By Meetings Attended Out of a possible
Lee Bell (Ex Officio Headteacher) 01/09/2023 05/03/2024 Ex Officio 1 1
Tom Fay (Ex Officio Acting 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 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