Governance

Be an influence in our improvement journey
and become a Member or Trustee of The Burgate School and Sixth Form

Join us in our journey from Good to Great!
Are you interested in becoming a Member or a Trustee of The Burgate School and Sixth Form?

If you have recent Board level experience, an interest in education and a passion for improvement we would like to hear from you. Please contact the Clerk via: clerktotrustees@burgate.hants.sch.uk For further details please click here.

The Burgate School and Sixth Form is an Academy Trust which operates as an exempt charity and a company limited by guarantee, not having share capital. The objective for which The Burgate School and Sixth Form was established is 'to advance for the public benefit education in the United Kingdom, in particular but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing by establishing, maintaining, carrying on, managing and developing a school offering a broad and balanced curriculum'.

The Academy is governed by members and a board of trustees who are the directors of the Academy Trust constituted under the Memorandum and Articles of the Academy Trust. The Trust currently operates one mixed comprehensive secondary school.

Click here to view our Governance structure

National Governance Association - External Governance Review 2024:

At the request of our Trustee Board, the National Governance Association conducted an external governance review, with the final report presented in June 2024. The key message was, “The board has much effective governance practice in place and a good understanding of its three core functions:

• Being Strategic – The board is clear in its role regarding strategic oversight and recognises that now is the time to revisit ‘Who are we: The Burgate School and Sixth Form’ which contains the school’s motto, purpose, vision, mission and values. This will be done through a joint board and school leadership development event to co-create a refreshed vision for the school.

• Holding to account – Moving to a no committee, flat structure will provide an opportunity to develop the trustee portfolio roles.

• Oversight of financial performance – The board has had effective oversight of finances but recognises the need for succession planning following turbulence and change of board leadership. The trustees, school leadership and governance professional deserve great credit for maintaining a strong focus on effective governance. Moving to a no committee, flat structure will further strengthen the effectiveness of the board as the school moves forward, ensuring governance is sustainable.”

Responsibilities of the Members

As charitable companies limited by guarantee every academy trust has Members who have a similar role to the shareholders in a company limited by shares. They:

are signatories to the articles of association which includes definition of the academy trust’s charitable object and governance structure (where they are Founding Members);
may appoint or remove members and trustees;
hold the AGM and issue direction to the academy trustees to take a specific action;
appoint the academy trust’s auditors and receive the academy trust’s annual audited accounts; and
safeguard the academy trust governance.

Members code of conduct

Terms of Reference Burgate School Members

Disqualification and Termination of Members & Trustees

Responsibilities of the Trustees

The Academy Trust is responsible for setting and monitoring the overall strategic direction of the school and to provide overall governance. They are not responsible for the day-to-day management of the school which is delegated to the Headteacher who manages the school through a Leadership Team comprising of three Deputy Headteachers, two Assistant Headteachers and a School Business Manager.

The Department for Education's Governance Handbook states that the Board of Trustees needs to have a strong focus on the following three core functions:

Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;
Holding executive leaders to account for the educational performance of the organisation and its students, and the performance management of staff; and
Overseeing the financial performance of the organisation and making sure its money is well spent.

Trustees Code of Conduct

Terms of Reference Trustees

Disqualification and Termination of Members & Trustees

Full Board and Committee meetings

The Board of Trustees, chaired by Mr Mowbray, meets eleven times each year, approximately twice each half term. The board oversees strategic issues within their remit, including academic performance; student progress; the school's curriculum policy; the pastoral care of students; safeguarding; the academy's finances and resources; maintaining the academy's land and premises; health and safety, and staff welfare. The Headteacher and Deputy Headteachers are fully involved in the work of the board and work in partnership with the trustees.

The Audit and Risk Committee, chaired by Mr Himmel, meets three times a year to maintain oversight of the academy’s financial, governance, risk management and internal control systems.

In addition to the above there are committees which meet as and when required to deal with admissions arrangements; student appeals and staff appeals.

Meet our Members

Nigel Griffiths - Member of the Trust.jpg

Mr Nigel Griffiths

I have lived in Fordingbridge for 40 years. Both sons attended Burgate and now 2 granddaughters also attend. Previously a trustee of Burgate for 16 years, I am now retired. My interests are golf, gardening (as I need to rather than a labour of love), reading and watching sport either on the TV or when my grandchildren participate.

Mr Paul Goddard

Mrs Jenny Hair

I am a recently retired Chartered Human Resources professional, with 38 years experience within the NHS, mainly in Salisbury. For most of this time my team provided day to day HR services and developed strategies to improve the working lives of staff and thereby deliver outstanding patient care. I saw how people’s employability was dependent on their social as well as their academic skills and I’m proud that the Burgate School embraces this in its ethos and vision.

I have lived in Fordingbridge since 1986 and my three children all attended the Burgate School. I first became a parent Trustee in 2006 and was Chair of the Board of Trustees from 2013 to 2019. I believe schools play a vital role in developing young people’s personal skills as well as academic attributes to enable them to be successful in their future life and have been passionate about championing the ‘Learning for Life’ culture at Burgate.

Mr Robin Townsend

Meet our Trustees

Mr Jim Mowbray, Chair of Trustees.

I have recently retired from a 42-year career in Business and Operations Management within large multinational companies. For the last 15 years I have been General Manager of the worldwide activities of a pump manufacturing business. I believe strongly in teamwork and people development. My career has exposed me to dealing with many different ways of working together with different cultures. I hope to use my experience to date, particularly in the areas of governance and strategy, to help the school make an enduring difference to each and every child and young person.

I have had a home in Sandleheath for 34 years. I have two sons who both attended The Burgate School and Sixth Form. I enjoy travel, hill walking, reading, limited gym work and my grandchildren.

Mrs Wendy Gregoire, Trustee

As a Chartered Clinical Psychologist I have worked for over thirty-five years in NHS children’s services, independent practice and special education. For eight years, I was chair of a Wessex-wide service development group for autism and have held honorary teaching posts at two London medical schools and Southampton University. As a specialist in neurodevelopmental disorders I am passionate about all children enjoying and engaging in education. I have lived with my family in Woodgreen for over twenty years and both of our daughters were students at The Burgate School and Sixth Form. I have been a member of the Board of Trustees for several years now and currently sit on the Education Committee. I am also the trustee with responsibility for Special Educational Needs and Disability and sit on the committee that oversees the Headteacher’s Performance Management. In my spare time I am a keen painter and potter and take part in the Hampshire Open Studio programme.

Mr Pover, Headteacher

Having joined The Burgate in 1992, I am now in my eighth year as Headteacher and the school has continued to grow and thrive based on its ethos of Learning for Life. I am very pleased with our two recent record examination results, equally delighted by our wonderful sporting and creative success, but most of all - extremely proud of Burgate students who are well behaved, happy and successful at their school. It is our talented students with the dedicated staff who make the school the special place it is: their boundless enthusiasm, burning desire to succeed and unwavering good humour are refreshing every day we come to work. When I walk around our school it fills me with a great sense of pride: to think that we have achieved this together and, therefore, what we have is special and matters to all of us. We will continue to make The Burgate a great place to study, where we work as a team and look out for each other, because, above all, we enjoy what we do.

Mrs Heather Arnold, Trustee

I am a retired education professional with over 22 years experience in secondary schools, mostly with a strategic focus on disadvantaged students and communities in areas of significant deprivation. My last role before retiring was working in a Bristol academy to support a developing safeguarding and pastoral care team.

Before moving into Education, I had worked as a trainee for Marks and Spencer and as a contracts officer for Cobham.

We settled in Fordingbridge four years ago after a period in Canada. I am fortunate to have my young grandchildren living close by and their arrival has motivated me to think about how I can best support young people and schools today.

Mrs Jenny Hair, Trustee

I am a recently retired Chartered Human Resources professional, with 38 years experience within the NHS, mainly in Salisbury. For most of this time my team provided day to day HR services and developed strategies to improve the working lives of staff and thereby deliver outstanding patient care. I saw how people’s employability was dependent on their social as well as their academic skills and I’m proud that the Burgate School embraces this in its ethos and vision.

I have lived in Fordingbridge since 1986 and my three children all attended the Burgate School. I first became a parent Trustee in 2006 and was Chair of the Board of Trustees from 2013 to 2019. I believe schools play a vital role in developing young people’s personal skills as well as academic attributes to enable them to be successful in their future life and have been passionate about championing the ‘Learning for Life’ culture at Burgate.

Miss Carolyne Connolly, Staff Trustee

Being part of The Burgate School Team really is a privilege. Aside from fantastic exam results and Ofsted inspections, being part of a team that is so committed to delivering the very best education and support to our young people is so rewarding. The Burgate team also extends to our amazing students too. Their enthusiasm, talent, hard work and imagination is utterly inspiring. It was therefore a no-brainer for me to take the step to support the strategic direction of the school by becoming a Trustee. I feel passionate about supporting innovation at The Burgate across all its functions, in order that every student and staff member can fully embrace all that the future holds and to help develop sustainable ways to fulfil a forward thinking vision that continues to be creative, inspirational, collaborative and which truly takes Burgate forward.

Mrs Alice Richardson, Parent Trustee

With a son at The Burgate, I am excited to be part of the governing board and to utilise my skills and experience to help champion, develop and steer the school. I started my career in the charity sector before working for the NHS, promoting the Healthy Schools Programme. I then worked as a LEA consultant for PSHE and Citizenship education before retraining to be a secondary school English teacher. I also worked in Canada many years where I spent time as a SENCO in schools on aboriginal reserves.

I currently work as a teacher, SENCO and Pupil Premium Lead in three primary schools across Hampshire and Dorset. As two of the schools I work in are part of a multi academy trust, I have experience of the benefits as well as the challenges of these. I am a keen champion of promoting equity for disadvantaged children and am also working on my NPQSL which has helped me consider the values and ethics of education which will underpin the reflective ideas and friendly challenge I will bring to the trustee board.

Nigel Himmel, Trustee

I am delighted to have the opportunity to become a Trustee of The Burgate School. Although I was brought up and educated in South London I have spent the last forty years, holidaying and living in the local area. I have been involved in many aspects of community life, from fund raising and charity work to participating in local sports clubs. I am a keen golfer, and spend hours in the forest, either on my bike, on a horse, or just walking my dog, Henry.
I have a degree in Archaeology and post graduate education qualifications from both Southampton and Winchester Universities. I teach History and have worked in a number of local schools in Salisbury, Romsey and Ringwood, where I was also very involved in the Pastoral Care Team for nearly 18 years.
I am currently Headteacher of an Alternative Provision school in New Milton and have been involved in the journey of achieving the first good Ofsted rating for the school, as well as overseeing the creation of a new school site, with new state of the art buildings and facilities.
In September, I start a new role as Director of Emotional Learning for a Multi Academy Trust in Dorset. Through this, I believe I will be able to positively impact many more students and help them overcome their barriers to learning, in order to allow them to play a positive role in their local areas and wider society.
I am a passionate advocate for education for all and see schools as sitting at the very heart of their local communities. Flourishing adults allow children to flourish and I very much look forward to helping The Burgate School achieve this.

Dr Helena McVeigh, Trustee

I am excited by the opportunity to be a trustee of Burgate School and Sixth Form. I believe passionately in the importance of education and hope that my over-40 years’ experience can help me to make a useful contribution as a trustee, so that Burgate School goes from strength to strength.

I have been involved in education as a secondary science teacher, local authority adviser, London Challenge primary adviser, HMI, Chief Inspector of schools in the Cayman Islands and Ofsted inspector. I am currently director of my own education consultancy and I undertake school reviews. I stopped inspecting for Ofsted several years ago now, but still try to keep on top of the latest developments so as to be able to help the schools I work with. I still enjoy leading peer reviews of primary and secondary schools for Challenge Partners; this involves working with senior leaders from schools across the country. In 2016, I was awarded a PhD in education, with a focus on Ofsted’s criteria for judging the quality of teaching.

I moved to Ringwood in 2018 with my husband, Jim, and since then have been a governor of two village primary schools and a trustee of a local MAT. I enjoy keeping fit, reading and am attempting to write my first novel!

Carole Stevenson, Trustee

I am delighted to be joining the Burgate School & Sixth Form as a Trustee. We have lived in Woodgreen since 2011 and both of my daughters joined the school in Y7 and left in Y13. During those years, I was part of the external business team supporting the annual Business Enterprise Day for Y10.

I co-own a management training company which I founded in 1999, working on an in-house basis with many UK & Global companies providing Management & Leadership, Executive Coaching, Wellbeing & Client Experience consultancy & training solutions. Our clients are from many sectors including Banking, Charities, Consulting, Engineering, Fund & Corporate Services, Insurance, Law Firms, Manufacturing, Telecoms & Utilities.

I am passionate about learning as it opens up endless opportunities for personal growth, acquiring new skills and gaining knowledge. Schools play a vital role in developing these skills of course and I am looking forward to supporting students, staff and trustees in wanting every student to enjoy their learning and feel valued for who they are.

Nicola Harrington, Trustee

I'm delighted to join the Trustee team at The Burgate School and Sixth Form, where I'll work together with the school's leadership, staff, and community to prepare students for an ever-evolving world.
My goal is to make a meaningful impact on the lives of our students, not just by preparing them for success, but by helping them find contentment and fulfilment in today's fast-paced society.
As a Trustee, I'll focus on creating a culture that prioritises good mental health, wellbeing, and inclusivity.
With my diverse professional background in business, technology, and the public sector, I've developed a strong understanding of the importance of innovation, adaptability, and digital literacy.
I'll bring this expertise to the board to drive initiatives that:
Foster entrepreneurial mindsets and prepare students for emerging careers
Support neurodiverse students and promote inclusivity
Prioritise good mental health and wellbeing as well as reaching their full potential
I personally believe that by prioritising the whole student - academic, social, and emotional wellbeing - we can equip them with the skills, knowledge, and resources they need to thrive in all aspects of their lives.
I'm excited to join the Trustee team and contribute to creating a culture that supports students in achieving their goals and making a positive impact in the world.

Michelle Cooper, Parent Trustee

Ciaran Thompson, Trustee

Blair Edwards, Parent Trustee

Trustee/ Members Terms of Office, Link Roles and Business/Pecuniary Interests

Trustee Information 2024/2025

Click here to view The list of Trustees, Terms of Office and their link roles within the school. This summary will provide business and pecuniary interests of the Board of Trustees on The Burgate School and Sixth Form Academy Trust. This list also includes those individuals who have been a trustee within the last 12 months. A full register is kept and held at the school and is updated on an annual basis.

Committee Membership Information 2024/2025

Click here to view committee membership information.

Scheme of Delegation

A scheme of delegation is a critical document used by academy trusts to detail the governance structure in place and define lines of responsibility and accountability; it describes who carries out which governance function and can make the decisions associated with that function.

Click here to view our Scheme of Delegation.

Trustee attendance at full board and committee meetings

A record of the attendance of all trustees at both full board and committee meetings in the last academic year. This list also includes those individuals who have been a trustee within the last 12 months.

Trustee Board and Committee Meeting Attendance 2023-2024

Contacting the Board of Trustees

We hope you will be very happy with everything at our school and would welcome positive feedback at any time. It is always good to know what you feel we are doing well. Equally, if you ever have a concern about an aspect of our school it is important that you let us know. Your first contact should always be with the relevant member of staff, please click here for a link to the key members of staff, but if necessary you can contact the trustees. Any queries should be directed to the Chair of Trustees through the Clerk to the Trustees, Mrs Linda Williamson, at The Burgate School and Sixth Form, Salisbury Road, Fordingbridge, Hampshire, SP6 1EZ or via email at: clerktotrustees@burgate.hants.sch.uk.

We feel it is important for parents to understand the role of our Board of Trustees and what we do to support the school, its students and its staff. You can keep up to date with our efforts by reading our regular contributions to the school's termly Newsletter.

Are you interested in being a Trustee?

We are always happy to hear from individuals who are interested in becoming a school trustee. When there’s a vacancy for a parent trustee all parents will be informed and have a chance to stand for election, however anyone over 18 can be a school trustee, you don’t have to be a parent with a child at the school to become involved.

Why should you become a School Trustee?

Help to make a positive impact on the lives of children and young people;
Develop new skills, such as board-level leadership, strategic planning, chairing, financial planning, and team working, skills that are valued by employers and can help your own career development.
Use your skills and expertise to contribute to making schools more effective.

The most important qualities for being a school trustee are enthusiasm, commitment and an interest in education. The board of trustees relies on a variety of skills, experiences and perspectives and training and support is available for both new and existing trustees.

School trustees have a term of office of four years. However, as a volunteer you can resign at any time if your circumstances change.

If you would like to know more about the role and/or register your interest in becoming a school trustee, please contact the Chair or the Clerk, Mrs Linda Williamson, at The Burgate School, Salisbury Road, Fordingbridge, Hampshire, SP6 1EZ or email at: clerktotrustees@burgate.hants.sch.uk.

BBC Education

BBC Education

Governance

Be an influence in our improvement journey
and become a Member or Trustee of The Burgate School and Sixth Form

Join us in our journey from Good to Great!
Are you interested in becoming a Member or a Trustee of The Burgate School and Sixth Form?

If you have recent Board level experience, an interest in education and a passion for improvement we would like to hear from you. Please contact the Clerk via: clerktotrustees@burgate.hants.sch.uk For further details please click here.

Responsibilities of the Members

As charitable companies limited by guarantee every academy trust has Members who have a similar role to the shareholders in a company limited by shares. They:

Responsibilities of the Trustees

Full Board and Committee meetings

Meet our Members

Meet our Trustees

Trustee/ Members Terms of Office, Link Roles and Business/Pecuniary Interests

Committee Membership Information 2024/2025

Scheme of Delegation

Trustee attendance at full board and committee meetings

Contacting the Board of Trustees

Are you interested in being a Trustee?

Why should you become a School Trustee?

Governance

Be an influence in our improvement journey and become a Member or Trustee of The Burgate School and Sixth Form

Join us in our journey from Good to Great! Are you interested in becoming a Member or a Trustee of The Burgate School and Sixth Form?

If you have recent Board level experience, an interest in education and a passion for improvement we would like to hear from you. Please contact the Clerk via: clerktotrustees@burgate.hants.sch.uk For further details please click here.

Responsibilities of the Members

As charitable companies limited by guarantee every academy trust has Members who have a similar role to the shareholders in a company limited by shares. They:

Responsibilities of the Trustees

Full Board and Committee meetings

Meet our Members

Meet our Trustees

Trustee/ Members Terms of Office, Link Roles and Business/Pecuniary Interests

Committee Membership Information 2024/2025

Scheme of Delegation

Trustee attendance at full board and committee meetings

Contacting the Board of Trustees

Are you interested in being a Trustee?

Why should you become a School Trustee?

Be an influence in our improvement journey
and become a Member or Trustee of The Burgate School and Sixth Form

Join us in our journey from Good to Great!
Are you interested in becoming a Member or a Trustee of The Burgate School and Sixth Form?