Trust Organisation
OVERVIEW
The governance and leadership of the Trust work together to ensure that services and expertise are provided effectively to each of the academies.
MEMBERS
The members of the Trust are the ‘guardians’ of the governance of the Trust. They have a number of statutory rights and responsibilities that are set out in the Academy Trust’s Articles of Association. They meet at least once a year and receive an annual report from the Trustees and the CEO on the Academy Trust’s performance. A summary of their roles and who they are is set out under ‘Policies’.
Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees have an active role in monitoring and determining strategy for all aspects of Discovery MAT’s performance. Trustees are governed by the ‘constitution’ of the Aacdemy Trust, the Articles of Association specifying the objects, powers, composition of the Trustees and how they conduct business. Our Trustees have a wide range of experience and skills, both within and outside of the education sector, which allow them to govern the Trust to a high standard. They are responsible for ensuring that out academies are affective.
If you would like to find out more information with regards to becoming a Member or Trustee with Discovery MAT, please contact [email protected]
If you would like to contact the Board of Trustees, please get in touch with the Governance Professional, Abby George via [email protected] or alternatively contact the Discovery MAT Central Office on 01752 706361.
LOCAL ADVISORY BOARD
The Trust has a central Local Advisory Board (LAB) which operates across all three of our academies, allowing the LAB to have greater scope for comparison, challenge and enabling effective sharing of good practice at school level. The LAB review and monitor our academies to ensure the best outcomes for all of our children. For further information about the LAB’s delegated powers and responsibilities please see ‘Committee Terms of Reference’.
If you would like to contact the LAB, please do so via [email protected]
SENIOR LEADERSHIP TEAM
Our Senior Leadership team is made up of the CEO, Heads of School, Trust Safeguarding & Inclusion Lead and Trust Teaching & Learning Lead. The team ensures that every pupil can thrive in a supportive and inclusive environment and that they are able to access learning opportunities in order to prepare them for their next stages in life.
Members
Zoe has spent her career dedicated to education, having previously served as a teacher, Deputy Head, Headteacher and Executive Head. Throughout these roles, Zoe also delivered school improvement and outreach support to other local schools through partnerships with the LA, Diocese, and local Teaching School.
Zoe is currently a serving Trust CEO in a large Trust across the south west and is passionate about collaborating with others locally and nationally to improve the life chances of children and young people.
In her spare time, Zoe loves spending time reading, walking, and kayaking with her family.
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Judith has over 47 years’ experience in education – with Schools, Trusts, and Local Authorities.
She was Managing Director for JJ Education Services Ltd, a successful school improvement and leadership support consultancy service for over 12 years working with education leaders.
Judith has extensive experience as a senior Local Authority Officer and Ofsted Inspector, having worked in five different Councils, and with a further nine in an advisory capacity. She has taught in secondary, middle, special schools and also in alternative provision and is grounded in her initial teaching and school leadership and governance experiences throughout her career. Judith remains passionate about the development of educational leaders.
She is Ofsted trained and has conducted several Ofsted Inspections. In 2023 she retired as a Director from the Specialist Independent School, Business and Trust that she co-founded for children and young people who have experienced significant trauma.
Additionally, she has extensive public and private sector experience in education, operating strategically as a Children’s Services Business Change Manager and Programme Sponsor for Corporate Re-design Programmes for a number of major initiatives in several authorities as well as being Deputy CEO in the first UK Public : Private Education Support Services Company. She has chaired several Boards and Trusts and been a Chair of Governors for 3 schools.
Charles was born in Glasgow but educated in Plymouth and never quite managed to leave. His wife is a DSL with a large MAT in Plymouth and he has 3 wonderful Children and a grandson.
Charles worked in Senior Leadership roles within large Banks, and has had extensive experience in Coaching, Project Management, Performance Management and Governance.
He has previously been a Chair of Governors at a large Plymouth Secondary School and is also a Prince’s trust Business Mentor.
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Trustees
Lance worked in Higher Education for 30 years as Head of Department for sport and exercise undergraduate and postgraduate degree courses. He has experience of designing foundation, degree and higher degree courses as well as liaising with secondary and primary education providers. He was also the Quality Assurance and Enhancement lead for the courses. Lance now works as a General Manager at a local golf club and has son who attends one of the MAT’s schools.
Neil is currently Director of Education for Speech and Language UK, a national charity operating two special schools. His role is to ensure the very highest quality education in the two schools and to provide sector intelligence and professional guidance to work across the organisation that requires educational input. He is also the safeguarding lead for the organisation.
Neil has worked in education for over 20 years, which includes 15 years as a senior leader and headteacher and as a school improvement lead in a large multi-academy trust. His experience spans both the primary and secondary phases and he has supported schools with a range of Ofsted judgements. In addition, he has facilitated on a range of National Professional Qualifications, such as the NPQML, NPQSL and NPQLT.
Ray is a qualified teacher and has a particular interest in special education.
He has spent a number of years in senior management roles in training, education and the private sector.
Most recently he was the chairperson of a group of schools in the private sector providing alternative learning opportunities to children and young people.
Ray has a further interest in Health and Safety and holds a qualification in Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH).
On a personal level he has 5 grandchildren, two of whom have additional needs.
Julia has been a trustee for 5 years and is currently chair of the board. Julia used to live in Devon but recently moved back to South Yorkshire however still visits regularly as she works right across the UK. Julia leads the Financial Planning business for a leading high street bank. Julia loves hiking and can now spend some weekends climbing in the Lake District but has also completed a number of climbs including the UK 3 peaks, Yorkshire 3 peaks and some marathon hikes for MacMillan.
Amy was raised in Plymouth. Having attended local schools within the City, Amy studied Law at Southampton University, before returning to Plymouth to study for her Legal Practice Course at Plymouth University. Amy trained as a Solicitor with a large national law firm, before specialising as an Employment Solicitor at a niche, tier 1 Employment Law Firm in Southampton.
Amy returned to Plymouth to raise her 3 young sons. She now works for Plymouth Marjon University as Head of People Business Partnering.
Amy is passionate about the transformative power of education and working to ensure that all children can fully access the opportunities available. Amy became a trustee with Discovery MAT to give a little back to the community which she grew up in and her expertise lies in people-related matters.
Diana joined Discovery MAT as a trustee in 2021. Diana is a military spouse, lives in Plymouth and has two children.
Educated at Bournemouth University; Diana completed her four year (Hons) degree in Events Management before entering the education outreach profession in Bournemouth and later in Plymouth university. Diana planned and delivered outreach activities to potential students on and offsite in various schools across Devon and Dorset areas.
Diana came to UK from abroad in 2005 when she was a teenager. Migration engendered positive changes to her life thus Diana is volunteering as a trustee to give back in a meaningful way. Improving life chances for students is a passion of hers.
Diana held a variety of operational and commercial roles in the tech companies over the years, and more recently been promoted to a leadership role in the e-learning industry.
Daniel has a background in governance and finance, and has worked in education for over ten years, covering primary, secondary and higher education. He is now a fellow of the CIPD and works as a Regional HR Business Partner in schools across the Southwest.
Daniel has been a member of the Board of Trustees for Discovery MAT since 2021 and chairs the Trust’s Audit and Finance committee. He works closely with the Trust’s leaders to support them to improve outcomes for every child.