BOARD OF GOVERNORS
Governance & Delegation:
Emmanuel Schools Foundation (“the Trust”) is legally accountable for every school in the Trust. The CEO is accountable to the Trust for the performance and delivery of the whole organisation. The CEO is advised by the Executive Team who are responsible for finances and resources, and the learning and academic progress of all students. Trinity Academy currently has in place a local governing body provided by the Trust. The Principal, supported by the LGB, is the vision-holder and driving force responsible for achieving excellence for those in school which she leads and manages. The Chair of the Local Governing Body (LGB) and LGB members have delegated responsibility to discuss and act as ‘critical friends’ in carrying out governance functions to achieve the excellence in all areas of school life.
The processes of decision-making and lines of delegated accountability are set out in the Scheme of Delegation which can be found here.
Any letter intended for the Chair of Governors should be addressed to:
Miss C Taylor, Company Secretary, Trinity House, Sixth Avenue, Blyth, NE24 2SY
enquiries@trinity-academy.org.uk
C/O Christine Taylor, Company Secretary, Trinity House, Sixth Avenue, Blyth, NE24 2SY
THE GOVERNING BODY
Martin Oldknow
ChairmanDate Of Appointment: 01/08/2014 Responsibility: (Chair) Safeguarding, CP & LAC, Prevent, Quality of Education & Standards, and Leadership & Governance
Martin is retired from South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service after a career spanning 30 years. Martin reached the rank of Group Manager (Divisional Officer) and was Head of the Technical Fire Safety department. He has over 15 years’ experience in Fire Safety and Emergency Planning.
Mark Harvey
PARENT GOVERNORDate Of Appointment: 17/01/2010 Responsibility: Curriculum & Achievement, Sixth Form, Attendance & Behaviour and Careers Education & Guidance
Mark Harvey has worked for leading global engineering companies and educational providers for over 30 years and has extensive experience in managing state of the art, world class engineering and manufacturing facilities, and engineering processes
Janet Hough
Local GovernorDate Of Appointment: 05/12/2023 Responsibility: English & Literacy and People & Wellbeing
Janet brings valuable professional and business experience to the table. Passionate about education, she actively volunteers and advocates for empowering young people. Her commitment to promoting diversity and excellence is evident in her support for girls pursuing these subjects. With a firm belief in Trinity’s ethos, Janet is driven to contribute effectively to the school’s future success.
Shaun Holt
Local GovernorDate Of Appointment: 03/02/2022 Responsibility: Science, Maths & Technology (STEM)
Shaun is proud that both his children were educated at Trinity Academy, and he believes in the ethos of the Academy. Shaun works as a recognised expert providing input to UK Government and United Nations initiatives to counter the harmful use of technology.
Helen Wilson
Local GovernorDate of Appointment: 02/12/24 Responsibility: Inclusion; SEND, Pupil Premium & Alternative Provision
Helen has worked in the NHS for over 30 years in clinical and management roles. She also has a busy church life, co-leading the music group, Youth band and a bible study group and supporting our oversees church members.
She is passionate about reducing inequalities and enabling children to meet their potential.
She strongly believes in Trinity’s ethos and is driven to support the Academy to achieve excellence.
Andrew Marden
Local GovernorDate of Appointment: Responsibility: Vocational (PE/H&S/BTE) & Creative (Art/Performing Arts/Food) and Health & Safety
As a new Governor, Andrew brings valuable professional and business experience from a career within the Railway Industry. Passionate about providing opportunities for students in business he has been actively involved in empowering young people, especially in the field of Engineering through Apprenticeships and Graduate Schemes. His commitment to promoting diversity and excellence is evident in his support for female employees pursuing these subjects through leadership and mentoring and he looks forward to working with the Trinity’s ethos.
Hannah Hawkes
Local GovernorDate of Appointment: 09/02/26 Responsibility: World Studies (MFL/History/Gg/RE)
Hannah is a senior leader with 12 years’ experience in the logistics industry, specialising in optimising global supply chains and managing high-performing distribution sites. She is also an Associate Lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University, teaching apprentices. Passionate about empowering people and driving innovation, Hannah is committed to leaving things better than she found them. She strongly aligns with Trinity’s ethos and is dedicated to supporting the Academy in achieving excellence.
Annika Wells
Local GovernorDate of Appointment: 28/09/26
Annika is a King’s College London graduate with a BA (Hons) in French and brings extensive experience in business, management and education. She spent 20 years running businesses abroad before training as a French teacher in 2012. At Trinity Academy, she has served as Head of Languages and Head of Year. Since retiring from full-time teaching in 2025, she continues to work part-time as a Teaching and Learning Coach.
PROCEDURES
The Board of Trustees appoints each governor after the completion of a skills audit to ensure a full comprehensive cohort of governors.
The term of office is for a duration of four years after which a Governor may be re-elected.
The Declarations of Interest for the governing body can be found below.
Governance functions are delegated to the Local Governing Body (“LGB”) by the ESF Board. The details of the delegation are contained within a scheme of delegation which can be found in the Governance section of the ESF website.
The governing body convenes at least twice per term, focusing on curriculum and standards once a term, and finance and resources once a term.
Governor attendance at Local Governor Board meetings can be found in the attached document.
Trust Governance and Financial Information
Trinity Academy is part of Emmanuel Schools Foundation. Trust-wide governance and financial information is published centrally on the Emmanuel Schools Foundation website.
This includes the Trust’s memorandum and articles of association, funding agreements, audited annual reports and accounts, register of business and financial interests, details of Trust members and trustees, the Trust’s scheme of delegation, committee and local governing body structure, and information relating to executive pay and off-payroll arrangements, where applicable.
Where relevant, the Trust will also publish any Notice to Improve issued by the ESFA.
This information can be accessed on the Emmanuel Schools Foundation website using the link below:
GOVENOR ATTENDANCE
DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS
GOVERNANCE ANNUAL ACHIEVEMENTS
2023-2024
If you are interested in becoming a governor, please complete the form below and send it back to us.
ESF Application Form – member, trustee or local governor
Governor – If you are applying to join a particular school within the Foundation.
Trustee – If you are applying to join Emmanuel Schools Foundation.