MEET THE RAVENFIELD PRIMARY ACADEMY GOVERNORS
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Liz Buxton
Chair of Governors
Liz has over 40 years of experience working in and with schools as a teacher, headteacher, adviser and governor. Work for a Local Authority involved advising, supporting and challenging schools and governing bodies on a range of leadership and other issues. Liz also worked as an Ofsted inspector, Performance Management Consultant and accredited School Improvement Partner and was invited to join national working parties at the Department for Education and National Strategies.
Since retiring, Liz has continued to maintain her close links and interest in education first becoming a Chair of governors in 2012 and designated a National Leader of Governance by the National College in 2016. Liz has also chaired an Interim Executive Board and been a Director of a Multi-Academy Trust.
In June 2018, Liz joined Maltby Learning Trust as Chair of Governors at Ravenfield Primary Academy and subsequently also becoming Chair at Maltby Redwood Academy. Liz had previously worked closely with several schools in Maltby and relished the opportunity to return to work more closely with Maltby Learning Trust helping to fulfil the Trust’s aims and ambitions for learners. After a life-time in education, being a governor ensures Liz is still able to play a role in the lives of young learners and those who support them. -
Scott Brighton
Parent Governor
Scott has lived in Ravenfield for 19 years and has been a Parent Governor since 2016. He has two daughters who attend Maltby Learning Trust schools.
Professionally, Scott has worked in Strategic Sourcing for over 15 years in various industries and today manages an annual purchase spend of over £65m.
Alongside his role as a Governor, Scott is also Chair of Ravenfield Allotment Society and also part of St James’ Church Council. Scott is passionate about his role in school governance and offers challenge and support in the local governance meetings, ensuring the children attending Maltby Learning Trust schools receive the best possible start to their education.
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Gemma Haigh
Parent Governor
Gemma has 19 years experience as s a Foot Health practitioner in Rotherham. Gemma has two children who both attend Maltby Learning Trust schools. For the last 9 years, Gemma has been involved with many fundraising activities including chairing “Friends of Ravenfield” for 3 years, in that time they raised quite a considerable amount and provided the Ravenfield Academy with ipads and apps for a better learning experience and numerous books providing school with a library for the children to enjoy. Gemma is active in the community and has organised the Ravenfield gala. Gemma has seen the Academies develop over time and enjoys being active in providing an amazing experience at Ravenfield and Redwood Academy.
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Ian Henderson
Community Governor
Ian is a retired primary school teacher of forty years, the last twenty-five, of which, were as a headteacher. Ian offers support, advice and constructive challenge, when required, in all aspects of school management. Ian is a positive person and a good listener; Ian enjoys working with others and the challenge of taking on fresh responsibilities. Ian's experience allows him to support the headteacher and other members of the Governing Body in promoting an environment, in the school, aimed at improving attainment and enjoyment of learning for all pupils and staff. As a resident of Ravenfield, Ian plays an active role in the continued development of the Academy and helps raise its reputation in both the local and wider community.
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Ben Hayes
Community Governor
Ben has worked in the Maltby Learning Trust as a Science teacher for two years. He enjoys seeing where the students he teaches come from and is eager to better his understanding of schools from a management and governance perspective. In his current role, Ben is responsible for Key Stage three Science and, for him, a huge part of this is ensuring continuity as students transition from the Primary curriculum to the Secondary curriculum, both from a Science and a school wide perspective.
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Katie Martin
Staff Governor (Teacher)
Katie has worked for Maltby Learning Trust for 11 years and Katie is committed to and dedicated to being a part of the Trust team as well as the Ravenfield one. Katie has a degree in English and Education Studies and a passion for literature. Katie is also the History Lead at Ravenfield Primary Academy. Katie enjoys gaining a deeper insight into the management of the school. Katie contributes to help with raising standards. Katie is a positive addition to the governing body as she works at Ravenfield Academy and has previously worked at Maltby Redwood Academy. Katie has fantastic working relationships with her colleagues across both schools. Katie brings teaching experience to the meetings and knowledge of Key Stage Two. Katie's enthusiasm and supportive nature means that she works well as part of the team.
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Anita Prescott
Staff Governor (Associate Professional)
Anita brings experience in education, having worked at Ravenfield Primary Academy for 15 years and this provides her with a great and unique knowledge of the children at the Academy. Anita enjoys gaining experience and insight in the work of the governing committee and it benefits her personal and professional development.
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Ruth Berry
Partnership Governor
Ruth is the Principal of Maltby Redwood Academy and an experienced Senior Leader who has worked for the Maltby Learning Trust since 2018. She is dedicated to providing outstanding teaching and learning opportunities and thrives on curriculum developments; ensuring that all students receive purposeful, broad and balanced experiences whilst at school. Ruth is passionate about the Early Years Foundation Stage; ensuring that all pupils get off to a flying start on their educational journey. She is the Chair of the MLT EYFS Driver group and was previously an Early Years Moderator for the Local Authority. Formerly, as Assistant Headteacher of Warmsworth Primary School in 2014, she collaboratively led the school to an ‘Outstanding’ outcome at inspection where Leadership was recognised by Ofsted as being ‘unflinching in the drive to make things better still for pupils.’ Ruth was previously a student of Maltby Manor and Maltby Academy and is fully invested in improving the lives of youngsters within the community.
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Daniel Tunnard
Partnership Governor
Daniel works as a healthcare support worker at the Rotherham NHS Foundation trust within the Orthopaedic surgical division. Daniel is an enthusiastic individual who works well as part of a team and asks questions and gives his opinion when needed. Daniel is passionate about all the children’s futures in education in Maltby Learning Trust. Daniel enjoys working with everyone involved to get the very best for all children. Daniel also has a Level 3 Apprenticeship in ‘Leadership and Management’ and this qualification is under the Chartered Management Institute (CMI).
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Gemma Barker
Partnership Governor
Gemma works at Maltby Redwood Academy as Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Teacher and has worked within the Early Years sector for 14 years. Gemma's previous positions include Nursery practitioner, community peer support worker, deputy pre-school manager and Nursery teacher. Since beginning at Redwood Gemma feels that there is a true community feel and the teaching team shares the vision to make a real difference to ensure all the pupils succeed and achieve successful lives regardless of their background. Gemma feels extremely privileged to play such a role in the pupils start in life and recognises developing positive parental partnership is key to ensuring both pupils and families feel welcomed into the school. Gemma's education experience, knowledge of the community and being a mother of 3 has given her the skills, knowledge and experience to support the Governors and Trust to continue their journey of effective improvements for the school, the pupils and their families.
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Sophie Nelis
Partnership Governor
Sophie has a background in Law (Law LLB), she is aware of some of the legalities that the role entails. Before her current position, Sophie worked in administration and finance roles. Sophie has a young family, so understands some of the issues that the families of the Academy are facing, especially during these tough times. Sophie is passionate about making sure the Academy is a safe place for the students at Redwood. Sophie would like to learn more about how Redwood makes important decisions for the future and work with other Governors to find the best solutions to some of the problems the Academy/education system will face over the next couple of years.
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Laura Critchley
Additional Governor
Laura Critchley has worked within the Maltby Learning Trust for 14 years. Laura has been SENDCo at two of the secondary schools within the Trust. Her current role is Director of SEND and Inclusion.
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Leanne Jepson
Principal
Leanne has recently been appointed as Associate Principal at Ravenfield Primary Academy. She has 9 years of teaching experience. Leanne's previous positions include: Class teacher, Maths Lead, Maths SLE, SLT and Assistant Principal. Leanne was keen to join Maltby Learning Trust as she was previously a student of Maltby Redwood and Maltby Academy. Leanne feels extremely privileged to have been given the opportunity to progress in her career, where she is now responsible for leading an amazing team and ensuring every day is an exceptional and memorable day for the students of Ravenfield. She recognises the importance of Governance and the continuous drive for improvement
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