Governors

Our Governors

Ainthorpe Primary School is governed by an Academy Scrutiny Committee.

Our governors are:

Kimberley Lawton

Executive Principal

Kimberley Lawton
Wendy Baxter

DRET Appointed Governor (Chair)

Wendy Baxter

Wendy was appointed a Trust Senior Link on to the ASC on 14 June 2022. She has served on other ASCs across the DRET Academies for the past 10 years. Wendy is a Regional Director for DRET and its part of her role to ensure that all aspects of school leadership are exemplary, including governance. She wishes to support ASCs by bringing her knowledge and skill-set to the meetings and there is always something new to learn from other governors. She has previously been a Teacher and also had a 20 year career in NHS management as well as running her own business supporting GP practices. When not at work, she loves to spend time outdoors and is an avid fan of parkrun.
Natalie Morris

Vice Chair

Natalie Morris
Richard Crompton

DRET Appointed Governor

Richard Crompton

Richard was appointed a DRET Appointed Governor on 21 June 2023. He is also a governor at other primary academies within the Trust. Richard decided to become a Governor so that he could support and challenge the academy to be the best that it could be. He previously worked for DRET as the Trust’s Head of Estates, Facilities and Operations and is now employed as a Director of Operations at Bellevue Place Education Trust. In his spare time, Richard enjoys going for days out with his son Albie and dog Skye. He enjoys Walking, lunches out and plenty of socialising.
Kirstie Britton

Staff Governor

Kirstie Britton

Kirstie is Ainthorpe's Assistant Headteacher and has been employed at the academy since 2010, working as a Teacher, Literacy Lead, Maths Lead, D&T Co-ordinator, Computing Co-ordinator and Behaviour Lead. She was appointed a Staff Governor by Election on 6 March 2018, and provides a valuable contribution and insight to the ASC. She also wished to develop her understanding of the workings of the ASC, and be prepared in welcoming visitors such as Ofsted. Kirstie's passions and interests include Music, singing in a Choir, running and reading.
Joanne Hunter

Staff Governor

Joanne Hunter

Jo is a Cover Supervisor and has been employed at the academy since 2011. Her expertise lies within Early Years Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1. She was appointed a Staff Governor on 27 June 2019. She is very passionate about working for the academy, and joined the Academy Scrutiny Committee to gain an understanding of their role and the contribution they made. In her own time, she loves spending time with her family and in the garden.
Patrick Anson

Parent Governor

Patrick Anson

Patrick was re-appointed a Parent Governor on 10 November 2021, after serving a previous term of four years. During his previous term of office he was elected Vice Chair by his fellow governors. Patrick also has governor experience serving at other educational establishments, and is currently employed as a HR Manager within the Construction Industry. His passions and interests include Football, his children and doing anything he can towards helping in student development.
Stephanie Mulligan

Parent Governor

Stephanie Mulligan

Stephanie was appointed a Parent Governor on 20 March 2023. She became a governor as she wanted to develop her skill set and develop her community links by having more involvement in her son’s school. Stephanie has worked in various settings involving children and families. She has been employed as a Teaching Assistance and provided one to one support for children with SEN, EAL and individual needs. Stephanie has also worked as a mentor for families and been a youth and family support practitioner. She is currently self employed as a domestic cleaner. Her work experiences have enabled her to manage her own timetable, manage accounts and finances and provide an exceptional level of customer care. Stephanie has a great love of literature and enjoys keeping fit.
Beth Hewitt

Clerk

Beth Hewitt

Beth Hewitt has 16 years of experience as a governance professional, previously managing the Children and Young People, Health Inequalities and Economic Development Scrutiny Committees for Kirklees Council and clerking school appeal and governing body meetings. She is the former Chair of the Primary Care Commissioning Committee for NHS Kirklees and was the Lay Member for public and patient involvement throughout the pandemic. Formally a senior project manager helping start-ups and businesses to grow across nine local authorities in West and North Yorkshire, she now works part-time for Just a Sec and is the Director of her own international business membership for entrepreneurs. Beth is passionate about helping people follow their passions earlier in life, podcasting and spending time with her 18-year-old daughter and Izzy, her cat.

Governor Assigned Responsibilities

Safeguarding - Wendy Baxter

Attendance - Richard Crompton

SEND - Stephanie Mulligan

Artsmark - Kirstie Britton

Pupil Premium - Joanne Hunter

Contacting a Governor

To contact a governor, please contact the Trust Governance Team by emailing governance@dret.co.uk.

If you are looking to contact a Governor to make a complaint or share a concern, please note that as per our Complaints Policy, governors do not investigate complaints at Stage 1 or Stage 2. This enables them to be impartial should a complaint be escalated to a Stage 3 governor panel. If you wish to make a complaint, please complete this form and your complaint will be investigated accordingly.

Scheme of Delegation

Information about the David Ross Education Trust’s scheme of delegation is available here.

Minutes of the Academy Scrutiny Committee

Should you wish to view a copy of the minutes of the ASC at this academy, please contact the Trust Governance Team, who will be able to provide you with an electronic or paper copy of the minutes.

Are you interested in becoming an academy governor?

We are looking for new governors to support our academies. Our governors work closely with their academies to support the Trust’s goal of broadening the horizons of young people through a world-class education, equipping our students with the skills and experiences to become their confident, academic best, no matter what.

If you have an interest in, and commitment to, improving education and would like to make a difference within your community, please register your interest in becoming a governor by completing our governor application form. If you have any questions about a governor’s role or responsibilities please contact us at governance@dret.co.uk or review our information pack below.

governor recruitment booklet summer 2023.pdf

What is it like being a Governor with DRET?

To understand what it is like to be a governor with us, take a look at our testimonial booklet and videos which contain insights from serving governors.

governor testimonial booklet.pdf