GOVERNANCE INFORMATION

Our Local Academy Board Members are:
Chair: Jon Hodson

Vice Chair: Anne McWilliams 

Executive Headteacher: James Freeston

Headteacher: Laylee Pocock
Head of School: Natasha Baker
Parent Member: Steve Etherington

Parent Member: Andy Burton

Co-Opted Member: Tina Greenwood

Co-Opted Member: Phillip May

Staff Member: Chloe Harman

Staff Member: Vacancy

(All members of the Local Academy Board can be contacted through the reception office or by email glpaoffice@auroraacademies.org)

Full details of Aurora Academies Trust Governance can be found here.

Governance responsibilities are held between Aurora Academies Trust and the Local Academy Board.

The Local Academy Board (LAB) works in a similar way to a governing body and performs many of the same functions. The real difference is that the financial and legal responsibility is held by Aurora Academies Trust Board. This allows the LAB members to be focused on the learning and progress of pupils and not be burdened by the additional responsibility. The LAB play an important role in supporting and challenging King Offa and we are very grateful for the time they give to the school on a voluntary basis. Since March 2018 King Offa Academy and Glenleigh Park Academy have been operating a joint LAB. This decision was taken to maximise the use of LAB members skills across both schools. The close proximity (less than one mile) means that the LAB can operate effectively and strategically in it’s work. The LAB reports to the Regional Standards Council which in turn feeds into the Trust.

Jon Hodson, Chair of LAB: 

I joined Glenleigh Park LAB in 2014 and believe that the role of the LAB is to be a critical friend to the school, to hold the school accountable, to question, and support where needed. The LAB’s goal is to make sure the children have a great school to give them an outstanding education so they get the best start in life.

My role as LAB Chair role comprises of:

• Regular meetings with HOS to keep up to date on school matters,
• Regular learning visiting of the school,
• Regular reviews with the curriculum leads,
• Quarterly LAB meetings (reviewing SEND, Health and Safety, Quality of teaching, Pupil Progress)
• Listening to the views of parents, teachers and pupils to make sure the school is in touch with their needs.

Anne McWilliams: Vice Chair of LAB: 

I joined the joint LAB (Local Academy Board) for King Offa and Glenleigh Park in July 2018. When I was shown around the schools, I was very impressed by the positive and welcoming atmosphere and attitude of the pupils and staff. I have taken on the responsibility for SEND, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. I am very pleased to support both schools in any way that I can, to achieve the very best for their pupils.

I have a background in finance, administration, personnel and project management. I have worked as a bursar in both state and independent schools, which has given me an insight into how schools works, and a great appreciation of all that they achieve for their pupils. I have four grandchildren, who are all working their way through the school system, and two grown up sons. In my spare time I enjoy walking, gardening and reading. 

Steve Etherington: 

I joined the King Offa Local Academy Board (LAB) in October 2017 after responding to a message from the school looking for new parent members.  Having two boys currently attending King Offa, I wanted to support the school in their aim of providing a high quality of education in a fun and safe environment. My role involves regular visits to the school, observing classes and providing the LAB with a parent’s view on topics that effect our children’s education.  These visits let me see at first hand the amazing teaching on offer and I was delighted with the results of the recent Ofsted visit. After moving to Bexhill five years ago, the family enjoys spending any spare time on the seafront and walking our two dogs.  I love all types of sport and am a keen supporter of local football.

Tina Greenwood: 

I am delighted to be a LAB member for both King Offa and Glenleigh Park Primary Academies having had long associations with both schools. Both of my daughters attended King Offa in the 1990s and I was a member of staff there for a number of years. More recently I was employed as the Safeguarding Lead for Aurora Academies Trust, this included working closely with both Glenleigh Park and King Offa. For the past 20 years I have worked for both the local authority and local schools supporting children and families in the Bexhill area to live healthy, happy lives. I have recently retired and am thoroughly enjoying my role as Nana to my first grandchild as well as trying to fit in as much walking and tennis as possible.

Andrew Burton: 

I was interested in joining the LAB after the school sent out a communication asking parents to apply for a parent Governor role to help shape the direction of the school. My daughter had recently started at Glenleigh Park and I had been impressed with what I had seen so far from the school and wanted to offer my time to see if I could help take the school even further forward.

I have around 10 years experience in professional financial services, including skills in leadership and project management and I am hoping I can use some of these in my parent LAB role. I have lived in Bexhill for the last 12 years and love being involved in various community projects; you will find me raising money by performing at various charity events and also performing my own show across different venues in and around the local area. In my spare time, I enjoy spending lots of quality time with my wife, daughter and twin boys. 

Laylee Pocock:

I am extremely proud to be the Headteacher at Glenleigh Park. Having worked in schools for 22 years, I can safely say that I learn something new every day. For me this is the most exciting thing about education. Education has the power to change lives and this excites me! Teaching, learning and curriculum design are passions of mine and currently we are working hard at Glenleigh Park to design a curriculum that actively engages the learners to deepen and embed skills and transfer knowledge across the curriculum.

When I am not in school, I enjoy spending time with my husband and two children. Being active is important to us as a family; we enjoy rambling over the Firehills, exploring Battle Woods or strolling along the seafront on a sunny day. Cooking is one of my favourite pastimes; I adore experimenting with new flavours and trying new foods. An interesting fact about me is that I undertook the 3 Peaks challenge to raise money for the charity CRY, it was one of the most exhausting but exciting experiences of my life

Natasha Baker: 

I have had an amazing journey into education and have now worked as a qualified teacher for over 13 years. I have a passion for teaching and learning and have been driven by determination and dedication to improve my own practice. I am appreciative of opportunities given for me to be a Leader of Learning, a Lead Moderator, an Education Improvement Partnership Lead, an Assistant Head and currently, Deputy Headteacher at King Offa Primary Academy. I enjoy being a staff coach and mentor for Newly Qualified Teachers and like to share my experiences and skills. I am committed to keeping children safe and am a Designated Safeguarding Leader. I am willing to meet new challenges and believe that positive approaches do work. I have worked closely with many colleagues from across the Trust and have supported Teaching and Learning. I enjoy trips to the beach and farms with my energetic boys who are 6 and 10 years old!

Chloe Harman: 

I have been a teacher at King Offa for 7 years, predominantly working in the Early Years. I am now working in Year 1. I absolutely love being a member of the staff team. I was lucky enough to complete my final university placement here and since then, my love for teaching and learning has continued to grow. I have had many opportunities to develop my teaching skills and I am also the PE Co-ordinator for the school. I now have a 2 year old son, with whom I enjoy walks along the seafront and taking muddy trips to the woods and the park.