Governance
About The Quinta Academy Trust
The Quinta Primary School is a single Academy Trust. This means our school operates as its own charitable company, rather than being part of a larger Multi-Academy Trust.
As a charitable company, the school must follow company law as well as education law. This means we have a clear governance structure made up of:
Members
Trustees (also known as Governors)
The Headteacher and Senior Leadership Team
Each group has a distinct role. Together, they ensure the school is well led, financially secure, and focused on providing the best education for our pupils.
Members
Academy trusts are charitable companies. Like all companies, they must have Members.
Members are similar to shareholders in a company, but because academy trusts are not-for-profit organisations, they receive no financial benefit.
Members hold the Board of Trustees (Governing Board) to account for the effective governance of the trust.
They do not take part in the day-to-day running of the school.
Members are an important safeguard within the governance structure.
They provide independent oversight to ensure the Trust continues to operate effectively and in line with its charitable purpose.
Their role is strategic and oversight-based. They step in only if there are serious governance concerns.
Where members sit in the structure
Typical Academy Trust structure:
Members
⬇
Board of Trustees / Governors
⬇
Headteacher & Senior Leaders
Members sit above the Governing Board in the structure but remain independent from the school’s day-to-day leadership and decision-making.
What Members Do
Members have specific legal powers, including:
Appoint and remove Trustees (Governors)
Appoint new Members (and remove Members where appropriate)
Approve changes to the Trust’s Articles of Association
Make decisions about winding up the Trust (if ever required)
Receive the Trust’s annual accounts and reports
They act as a safeguard, not a management team.
What Members Do Not Do
Members do not:
Get involved in school operations
Oversee teaching, finance, or safeguarding
Attend governing body meetings (unless also a Trustee)
Line-manage the Headteacher
Members remain separate from operational decision-making in order to preserve clear and effective governance roles.
Who Are Members Usually?
Members are often individuals with governance, financial, legal or leadership experience. In some trusts, they may include founders or community representatives.
To maintain appropriate independence, The Quinta Academy Trust states that no more than 25% of Members may also serve as Trustees.
At the Quinta, our Members are: Claire Norburn, Andrew Brown, Richard Jackson, Sally Holland, Peter Aston
Governors
What is a school Governing Body/Trust board?
The Governing Board (also known as the Board of Trustees) oversees the strategic leadership of the school.
Governors do not manage the school day-to-day - that’s the Headteacher’s responsibility. Instead, they provide strategic direction, support and challenge to school leaders, and ensure accountability.
The Quinta Governing Board
The Board is made up of a range of roles, and some governors may hold more than one role (for example, a Parent Governor may also serve as Chair).
Meet Our Governors
Claire Norburn
Member of the Trust & Chair of Governors
CNorburn@thequinta.cheshire.sch.uk
Parent Director Appointed: 28.11.2019
Member Appointed: 02.10.2025
Term of Office Start Date: 28.11.2023
Term of Office End Date: 27.11.2027
Appointed by: Parent election
Responsibilities:
Chair of Pay Committee
Finance, Audit & Risk Committee (FAR)
Strategy Committee
Role:
Leads the governing body
Sets meeting agendas with the Headteacher
Makes sure meetings are effective and focused
Acts as the main link between governors and the Headteacher
Represents the governing body externally when needed
Key skill: leadership, diplomacy, ability to challenge constructively
I have been a Parent Governor at The Quinta for seven years, and I'm now Chair of Governors. My daughter previously attended the school, my son currently attends, and at one point seven of my nieces and nephews were also pupils. This gives me a strong personal investment in helping The Quinta be the best it can be.
Seeing my children, family and their friends benefit from their time at the school, I wanted to find a way to contribute and give something back. My career background is in HR in the private sector, and I now run my own business as a Leadership, Conflict and Team Dynamics Specialist, which feeds directly into my role as the governor with responsibility for Wellbeing across the school, covering both staff and pupils. I work closely with the Headteacher and Senior Leadership Team, supporting and challenging where needed to help every child and member of the Quinta team thrive. As a busy, working mum, the concept of leisure time is the stuff of fairytales for me, but when I do get the chance, I enjoy catching up with friends and family and walking our two dogs.
Dean Roberts
Vice Chair of Governors
droberts@thequinta.cheshire.sch.uk
Appointed: 22.11.2017
Term of Office Start Date: 22.11.2025
Term of Office End Date: 21.11.2029
Appointed by: FGB
Responsibilities:
Finance, Audit & Risk Committee (FAR)
Role:
Supports the Chair
Steps in when the Chair is unavailable
Often takes on specific oversight responsibilities
Steve Foster
Co-opted Governor
SFoster@thequinta.cheshire.sch.uk
Appointed: 22.11.2017
Term of Office Start Date: 22.11.2025
Term of Office End Date: 21.11.2029
Appointed by: FGB
Responsibilities:
Chair of the Finance, Audit & Risk Committee (FAR)
Strategy Committee
Hello parents. My name is Steve Foster seen in the photograph with my best friend Marley. I'm a retired biochemist and spent my career working in drug research and development in the pharmaceuticals industry. I have over 30 years' experience as a school governor in the primary sector including 8 years at the Quinta. I am currently Chair of the Finance, Audit & Risk Committee . I am fully committed to supporting education through school governance because I feel it's important to give something back. My leisure time is spent with my family, watching sport, hill walking and cycling.
Andrew Brown
Member of the Trust
ABrown@thequinta.cheshire.sch.uk
Appointed as Co-opted Governor: 16.11.2017
Appointed as Member: 25.01.2024
Term of Office Start Date: 16.11.2021
Term of Office End Date: 15.11.2025
Appointed by : FGB
Hello there, I’m Andrew Brown. I used to sit on the Governing board but have now progressed to a Member of the Trust, previously having 8 years as a Governor at another school in Congleton. I currently work in Financial Services specialising as an IT and Change professional. I have a wonderful wife, and 2 children who used to attend The Quinta and in my spare time enjoy working with young people to become the best they can, as Scout Leader at Dane Valley Scouts, with Congleton Town FC as a grassroots coach, and as producer/director of the local Scout and Guide Gang show.
I am passionate about the development of young people as they are our future. In my role as chair the Strategy Committee and support the Leadership and Management Finance, Buildings and Personnel Committee, I act as a critical friend to the school senior leadership team supporting with them to run the School and Trust. Being a Governor is really rewarding and you are well supported to allow you to understand what you need to undertake the role. I have certainly gained further skills, developed my leadership and confidence as a result.
Richard Jackson
Member, Director of Governors
rjackson@thequinta.cheshire.sch.uk
Appointed as Member: 16.11.2017
Appointed as Director: 16.11.2017
Term of Office Start Date:16.11.2025
Term of Office End Date: 15.11.2029
Appointed by: FGB
Although I have been retired from The Quinta for many years now, I have a strong connection to the school having taught here for thirty-four years, and in that time I have seen a huge amount of changes at the school. My particular subject link is sports and PE. Having taught the subject myself, it is great to see the success and enthusiasm the school has in a wide variety of sports, and the recent achievements in football and hockey. I used to teach the school swimming programme and was most impressed with the temporary pool over the summer term.It is also pleasing to see the continuing strong links the school has with Astbury Mere, an incredible facility to have on the doorstep. It is amazing to see the huge variety of sports offered to pupils both in school and as extra curricular activities, thanks to Mrs Cope and the staff and parents who support her .
Victoria Jackson
Parent Governor
Vjackson@thequinta.cheshire.sch.uk
Appointed: 09.03.2026
Term of Office Start Date: 09.03.26
Term of Office End Date: 09.03.30
Appointed by: Parent election
Responsibilities:
I am a parent of a little girl at The Quinta. With sixteen years’ experience as a primary teacher, and currently working in a special education school, I have a strong understanding of both mainstream and SEND provision. I have also previously served as a teacher governor and understand the importance of providing both support and challenge, while remaining committed to undertaking any further training needed.
I am passionate about education, particularly early reading, phonics and SEND and relish the fact that I can support the school in these ways. I also value strong parental engagement and would like to help strengthen connections within the school community.
Amy Parrish
Co-opted Governor
AParrish@thequinta.cheshire.sch.uk
Appointed: 25.03.2021
Term of Office Start Date: 25.03.2025
Term of Office End Date: 24.03.2029
Responsibilities:
Finance, Audit & Risk Committee (FAR)
Pay Committee
Strategy Committee
I have been a governor at the Quinta since the Summer Term 2021. I am a co-opted governor but I am also a Quinta parent. My daughter entered Year 4 in September 2023 and my twin boys joined Year 1.
I qualified as a solicitor over 15 years ago and came to join the governing board as the school advertised for governors with legal skills. It was not something I had considered previously but I really liked the idea of supporting the school that my children attended.
In my working life, I act for the public bodies and private sector companies including police forces, healthcare bodies and private prison providers in inquests, judicial reviews and litigation.
I am really enjoying being a governor and having the opportunity to make a difference in the education of not just my children, but the school as a whole.
I have been truly impressed by the level of dedication and hard work from all the staff to deliver an outstanding education as well as a positive physical and emotional environment for the children.
Andrew Kelly
Co-opted Governor
Appointed 16.03.2023
AKelly@thequinta.cheshire.sch.uk
Term of Office Start Date:16.03.2023
Term of Office End Date: 15.03.2027
Responsibilities:
Finance, Audit & Risk Committee (FAR)
Leader of Strategy Committee
Hi everyone. I’m one of the newest members of the school governors, joining recently as a co-opted governor. I have 3 daughters at the school and many other children of close friends, so I feel a real vested interest in The Quinta & its continued evolution & success!
I wanted to find a way to contribute and give something back using my skills from 20 years leading operations & global projects, most recently in the pharmaceutical industry.
In my role as governor I will focus on providing support & my experiences to the Leadership and Management of the Quinta, with particular attention to Finance, Risk & the future Strategy of the trust
I try to balance acting as a critical friend to the school & its senior leadership team - whilst also supporting the needs of the parents & children.
Alongside my role as a governor I also run Congleton Town FC’s girl team, for some of our Quinta girls – achieving great success & increasing popularity in the first season as a grassroots coach.
Helen Broadley
Co-opted Governor
Appointed: 05.10.23
Term of office start date: 05.10.2023
Term of office end date: 04.10.2027
Hi. My name is Helen and I am a proud member of the Congleton community and have been for 30 years. I am married with two children who have now left school, however I greatly value the importance of a strong primary education to provide a solid foundation upon which our next generation grow and flourish. This is one of the reasons why being a Governor in an excellent primary setting in my home town is so important to me.
I love living in Congleton and I thoroughly appreciate the beautiful surroundings it has to offer, where I enjoy the outdoor pursuits that I relish. I have two dogs who I enjoy walking locally in our rural setting. I enjoy to travel and I am a keen sailor, skier and shopper! I love going out to the local theatre too.
When not in and around Congleton, I am found typically in Macclesfield where I work. I am a teacher with 31 years experience, so I would like to think I am working towards becoming an expert in the field of education. At The King's School in Macclesfield, I teach Biology to pupils in Year 9 to 13. I am also Principal of the Senior Division and Designated Safeguarding Lead. Pastoral care, health and wellbeing and support to those pupils with individual needs must be front and centre: happy pupils are successful pupils. If we get these things right, children will maximise their potential which is what every parent and teacher strives for. Partnership is key.
Sally Holland
Member of the Trust
Appointed: 26.11.2020
sally.holland@cheshireeast.gov.uk
Term of Office Start Date: 26.11.20
Term of Office End Date:
As an active member of the Congleton community and a councillor at Congleton Town Council, I am dedicated to enhancing our town's well-being through various committees, including Community, Environment, Personnel, and Town Hall Services and Assets. My work focuses on fostering social cohesion, addressing environmental sustainability, and ensuring that our public spaces and facilities are well-maintained. Additionally, I strive to support our council staff and promote best practices in human resources, ensuring a positive working environment that helps the council deliver services effectively. Through these roles, I work alongside fellow councillors and local organisations to ensure Congleton remains a vibrant, thriving community.
Beyond my council work, I am an active member of the Congleton Conservative Association, where I support policies that balance economic growth with social responsibility. I am also passionate about youth development and serve as the Recruitment Officer for the Congleton Youth Orchestra, helping to provide opportunities for young musicians to flourish. These roles reflect my commitment to Congleton’s future, ensuring that our town continues to thrive while offering opportunities for growth, creativity, and community engagement for all residents.
Peter Aston
Member of the Trust
Appointed: 17.10.19
Paston@thequinta.cheshire.sch.uk
Term of Office Start Date: 17.10.19
Term of Office End Date:
Appointed by committee
