Governance

Each academy in the de Ferrers Trust has a Local Governing Body (LGB) which works on behalf of the Trust Board to exercise leadership in the running of the individual academy and hold the Principal and staff to account. The LGB is responsible for promoting high standards and strives to ensure that our young people are attending a successful academy which provides them with a good education and supports their well-being.

The role of the Local Governing Body:

  • helping the Principal and senior leadership team to set high standards by planning for the academy´s future and setting performance targets for the academy;
  • monitoring the effectiveness of the academy provision;
  • the management of risks against the academy's risk register;
  • acting as a critical friend to the Principal and senior leadership team, offering support and advice;
  • helping the academy respond to the needs of parents and the community;
  • helping make the academy be open and accountable to the public for what it does;
  • working with the academy on planning and developing policies and keeping the academy provision under review; and
  • exercising the responsibilities and powers delegated to it by the Directors in partnership with the Principal and staff.

The Trust board has established one Local Governing Body to oversee both Eton Park Junior Academy and Lansdowne Infant Academy.  


The de Ferrers Trust is currently recruiting for governors in both primary and secondary schools.  Should you be interested please visit The de Ferrers Trust's website.

If you wish to contact the Local Governing Body, you can do so by contacting Zoe Mellor, Clerk to the Governors, by emailing zmellor@deferrers.com or writing to:

Eton Park Junior School
Masefield Crescent
Burton on trent
DE14 2SG


The de Ferrers Trust Governance Documents


Meet our Local Governing Body

Ex-Officio Governor

The Executive Principal of our Academy also sits on our Local Governing Body as a Governor.  They are referred to as an Ex-officio Governor, by virtue of their office.  This means that they will remain a Governor for as long as they are employed in their role as Executive Principal. 

Claire Shaw

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Appointed: 17th April 2023

Attendance 2022/23: 1/1

Declarations:  Chair of Governors at Christ Church CE Primary School, Lichfield.

Bio: I am the Principal at Eton Park and Lansdowne Academies. I believe that all children can achieve excellence in their learning. My philosophy of education is that our children’s emotional well-being, cultural experiences, health and wellbeing are as important as their academic achievements.
I am an experienced primary headteacher, educational consultant and formally Diocesan Director of Education. I have many years’ experience as both a governor and a trustee.

Board Appointed Governors

Governors who are Board Appointed are appointed by the Trust Board.  Their term of office is four years.  At Eton Park Junior and Lansdowne Infant, the governance structure allows for three Board Appointed Governors.

Madelaine Burkett

Appointed: 03 April 2020
Term of Office: 03 April 2020 - 02 April 2024
Appointed by: The Trust Board

Attendance 2022/23: 3/3

Declarations: Principal at Burton Fields Academy

Bio: TBC

Sharon Fox
Sharon Fox 2

Appointed: 14 July 2020 
Term of Office: 14 July 2020 - 13 July 2024
Appointed by: The Trust Board

Attendance 2022/23: 1/3

Declarations: None declared.

Bio: TBC

Rida Amina

Rida Amina

Appointed: 12 January 2024 
Term of Office: 12 January 2024 - 11 Janaury 2028
Appointed by: The Trust Board

Attendance 2022/23: NA

Declarations: Married to member of LGB. Children attend Lansdowne

Bio: TBC

Mark Hurst 

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Appointed: 12 December 2023
Term of Office: 12 December 2023 - 11 Decemeber 2027
Appointed by: The Trust Board

Attendance 2022/23: NA

Declarations: Employed by The de Ferrers Trust (The Pingle Academy)

Bio: TBC

Parent Governors

Parent Governors are elected by the parents/guardians of the students who attend Eton Park Junior and Lansdowne Infant.  When a parent governor vacancy occurs, nominations are requested from all registered parents and guardians and an election takes place.  Their term of office is four years. At Eton Park Junior and Lansdowne Infant the governance structure allows for two parent governors. 

Ayesha Arshad

Ayesha arshad

Appointed: 12 January 2024 
Term of Office: 12 January 2024 - 11 Janaury 2028
Appointed by: Parent Election

Attendance 2022/23: NA

Declarations: Children attend Lansdowne

Bio: TBC

Naseeb Ilyas

Appointed: 12 January 2024 
Term of Office: 12 January 2024 - 11 Janaury 2028
Appointed by: Parent Election

Attendance 2022/23: NA

Declarations: Married to member of LGB Children attend Lansdowne

Bio: TBC

Staff Governors

The Staff Governor is elected by the staff based at Eton Park Junior and Lansdowne Infant. When a staff governor vacancy occurs, nominations are requested from all members of staff based at Eton Park Junior and Lansdowne Infant and an election takes place. Their term of office is four years. At Eton Park Junior and Lansdowne Infant the governance structure allows for two staff governors.

Emma Mason

Appointed: 03 September 2018
Terms of Office:
 04 May 2020 - 03 May 2024
Appointed by: Staff Election

Attendance 2022/23: 5/5

Declarations: Partner is Director of Sporting PB

Bio: I am a teacher at Eton Park and enjoy every moment of it along with my role on the governing body.  At Eton Park I am responsible for the provision for Pupil Premium children alongside being responsible for the computing curriculum. I have also recently begun to lead reading in the School.  This year I am about to take on a distance part-time masters degree in education with Edge Hill University.

Helen Cotton
H Cotton

Appointed: 14 July 2023
Terms of Office:
 14 July 2023 - 13 July 2027
Appointed by: Staff Election

Attendance 2022/23: NA

Declarations: None declared

Bio: TBC 

Co-Opted Governors

At Eton Park Junior and Lansdowne Infant, the governance structure allows for the local governors listed above to co-opt to four further local governors to the local governing body in order to bring a specific skill set that will add value to the academy, making local governance even more efficient and effective.  Co-opted governors have a term of office of four years.

Anne Andrews
Chair of Governors

First appointed: 03 September 2018
Term of office: 07 July 2022 - 06 July 2026
Appointed by: The LGB

Attendance 2022/23: 3/3

Committee Membership: None

Declarations: None declared

Bio: I have recently retired from post in the Academy where the job included administering the HR and Finance for the site.  I had been employed within schools for 18 years and am a qualified HLTA with extensive classroom experience, specialising in ICT delivery.  In jobs prior to this I was the Managing Director of a group of nine Staffordshire Vocational Training centres; moderator/assessor for an Awarding Body and PA to a Personal Director at a Local Brewery.  I have lived and worked in Burton for the last 37 years.  I am actively involved in local performing arts organisations.  My child received an excellent education within the Trust and I aspire to help other children to believe they can achieve their maximum potential.

Steve Plumb

First appointed: 07 July 2022
Term of office: 07 July 2022 - 06 July 2026
Appointed by: The LGB

Attendance 2022/23: 1/3

Committee Membership: None

Declarations: Employed by Leicestershire Police. Eagles Nest Mentor. Youth Worker at The Community Church. District Commissioner with Scout Association.

Bio: Born in Burton I was educated at Richard Wakefield and the Forest of Needwood High School.  After a brief period living in London, I returned to my home town.  I currently work in a training environment in Leicester.  Spare time interests include running, fitness and watch most sports.  Along with being a Governor I am Assistant District Commissioner for the Scout Association involved in the cub scout section.  I am also a mentor for a local charity (Eagles Nest) which helps and supports disadvantaged children.

Caroline Fotheringham

First appointed: 20 January 2022
Term of office: 20 January 2022 - 19 January 2026
Appointed by: The LGB

Attendance 2022/23: 1/3

Declarations: Employed by SARAC who provide preventative education
to young people within the academy

Bio: TBC

Previous Governors in the last 12 months

Amanda Carvell

Appointed: 03 September 2022

Resigned: 19 May 2023

Attendance 2022/23: TBC

Register of Interests: Employed by The de Ferrers Trust

Helen Phillips

Appointed: 01 September 2016

Resigned: 16 April 2023

Attendance 2022/23: 

Register of Interests:  Employed by The de Ferrers Trust

John Widdowson

Appointed: 07 December 2021

Resigned: 15 May 2023

Attendance 2022/23: TBC

Register of Interests: Employed by Burton Albion Community Trust

Louise Walker

Appointed: 14 July 2020

Resigned: 31 July 2023

Attendance 2022/23: TBC

Register of Interests: Member of East Staffordshire Labour Party. Elected East Staffs Borough Councillor Eton Park Ward - May 2021 

Clerk to Governors

The Clerk provides professional advice to the Governing Body on governance, constitutional and procedural matters. They provide administrative support including minute taking and convening meetings, ensure the Governing Body is properly constituted and manage all Governing Body information effectively. It is the Clerk’s role to ensure the Governing Body meets all of its statutory duties.

Zoe Mellor
Zoe Mellor 1

zmellor@deferrers.com

Documents

Page Downloads Date  
Terms of Reference LGB 22 23 06th Oct 2023 Download
Scheme of Delegation Sept 2023 06th Oct 2023 Download
Code of Conduct 23 24 06th Oct 2023 Download
Eton Park & Lansdowne LGB Register of Interests - February 24 21st Feb 2024 Download