Simon was formally headteacher at Thorpepark Academy, one of the four founding schools within Venn Academy Trust. Simon then became the executive headteacher at Thorpepark, working with the head of school and has developed it into a national support school with an emphasis on reading and learning behaviour.

Despite being in one of most disadvantage areas in the country the school has performed consistently highly in reading and mathematics.  As the trust lead Simon has supported the growth of the trust from four settings to ten, with the inclusion of Euler Academy.

His vision is to support every school to be the best that it can be so that every pupil benefits from a quality curriculum and learning experience.  For the past six years Simon has undertaken a doctorate in the impact of low-level disruptive behaviour in classrooms.

He demonstrated how pupils could be taught to self-regulate their learning behaviour using specific processes.  As a National Leader of Education Simon supported a wide range of schools, including some in very disadvantaged areas.

Sue has vast experience of primary education having served as a Headteacher since 2001. Currently the Executive Headteacher of two large primary schools within the Horizon Academy Trust she started her teaching career in Nottingham before returning to her native Hull and East Yorkshire.

Sue’s career has seen her teach in a wide range of different schools, in rural and urban settings.

As headteacher of Gillshill Primary School she has led it to be successfully judged as Outstanding by Ofsted. Working in partnership with Spring Cottage and White House she formed Tidal, a successful Teaching School.

A designated National Leader of Education, Sue has successfully supported many schools in a variety of settings and categories. She has specialisms in curriculum development and extensive expertise of developing and leadership teams.

Term of office 13.12.21 to 12.12.25 – Trustee appointed

Lesley is passionate about development and believes that we have a responsibility to share whatever skills, positive attributes and knowledge we have, to enable and upskill others. This development should start at birth and continue throughout our lives.

Her areas of specialism were pre-school and post 16, mainly middle management. When Lesley retired, she felt she should use her spare capacity and skills to work in the voluntary sector with schools and charitable organisations.

Lesley is a former experienced chair/vice-chair of governors of a school specialising in children with moderate learning difficulties agreed between three and sixteen.  She has extensive senior management experience including building strategies and cultures, senior mentoring recruitment and performance management.

Lesley through her experience believes that the route to excellent education lies in recruiting, training and rewarding excellent teachers and support staff, to grow a culture of openness, honesty and passion for life-long learning.

Term of Office 1st January 2023 – 31st December 2026

Terry retired in 2013 having worked for Hull City Council and Hull & East Yorkshire Hospitals. He was heavily involved in the design and delivery of national accredited courses. Terry also worked for the Home Office in major incident and mass fatality planning.  Terry strongly believes that all children should have the best education possible and if he can help and support the Trust academies to deliver this he will be achieving his ultimate goal.

Term of Office : 29 June 2019 to 28 June 2023 – Members Appointed

Mel spent 6 years in the Police before moving into a High Street retailing environment, working with Bhs and Specsavers where he has focused on Risk, Audit and Governance both within the UK and globally. Most recently Mel has set up his own company which manages corporate risk. Mel believes passionately in education having seen his three children all educated in Hull schools and Colleges.

Term of Office: 20 October 2019 to 19 October 2023 – Members Appointed

Proud to have been born and educated in Hull, Sheila has a vast experience in primary education.  Sheila’s teaching and leadership career was in challenging and exciting schools. As a headteacher she became a Local Leader of Education, supporting other schools and worked with the local authority on a wide range of teaching and leadership projects.

After a successful career in schools she became self-employed and started her own business, ‘Educational Excellence’. Sheila is a very experienced and successful governor and Chair of Governors. In these roles she has used her skills in school finance, curriculum planning, behaviour management, special educational needs and recruiting to benefit pupils.

Term of office: 13th November 2020 to 12th November 2024. Co-opted by Trustees

Chris is a retired computer auditor and has 40 years experience in a variety of governor roles. He believes all children should have the opportunity to achieve their potential irrespective of their background and starting point.

Term of Office: 29 June 2019 to 28 June 2023 – Member Appointed