Governance

Welcome from the Chair

Welcome to Sutton Primary Academy.

Feeling safe, and happy; being part of a learning community and curious are the essential ingredients of any good school. 

At Sutton, all our staff work as one team so that the children can enjoy learning through different styles, and approaches.  From classroom to Forest School, children discover their environment they live in, friendships, themselves and British Values.

The Local Committee of Governors are all local people.  They meet every term and also complete Learning Walks in the school day during which they meet the children and staff and listen to their ideas and suggestions.

Each Agenda at a Local Committee meeting reviews performance on Reading, Writing and Maths for each year group, Attendance, Safeguarding, SEND, Health and Safety reports, Behaviour and pupil activities.

The Committee members discuss with School’s Leadership Team the annual plans, and the longer term strategy within the Herefordshire Marches Federation of Academies (HFMA). 

Being in the HMFA enables us to benefit from the work of the Board of Trustees, focusing on more opportunities for children underpinned by a balanced budget and shared resources across the Federation.

Our School Leadership Team and all their staff and Federation members work very hard for the school. As a Local Committee we continue to build effective partnerships with parents, staff and the local community.

If you would like any more information about the role of the governing body  or have any concerns, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

This school continues to be an Outstanding School as measured by OFSTED.   All the Local Committee members are very proud of all who work here to help the children to become proactive learners.

Keith Lawton

Chair – Local Committee

Email the Chair of the Local Committee – Mr Keith Lawton – 

c/o Sutton Primary Academy, Bayley Way, Sutton St. Nicholas, Hereford, HR1 3SZ

Local Committee

I am pleased to be a Community Governor at this school.  I feel that everyone here does such a lot of extra work to help children in their time with us.  I am very proud of all the staff at this school.  My contribution to the governors and school is being a bridge between the school and village community; coupled with my 30+ years in school governance across primary and secondary schools in Herefordshire.  I am also Chair of Governors at Pencombe Church of England Primary School. 

 

 

  

See  SPA Local Committee Information & Declarations of Interest button further down the page. 

Matt has built up over 5 years of school governance experience having previously been the vice-chair of a cricket club. As chair of the this Local Advisory Board, Matt has also been on the board of trustees for 4 years and the Finance, Risks and Audits committee for 2 years before being elected as acting chair of the trust in 2023.

Having studied Business and Law at the Open University, while working at a secondary school, it was not long before Matt formed a limited company in the education and childcare sectors. Now in its eleventh year of trading the company employs over 20 staff and allows Matt to step back from operational duties to focus on strategy and business development. Matt is also employed full time as the Fundraising Manager at a local Hospice, with a focus on event, community and corporate fundraising, as well as leading on supporter services, this vast and varied role keeps him on his toes but is extremely rewarding.

 

 

  

See  SPA Local Committee Information & Declarations of Interest button further down the page. 

My experience of working in education started in 1997 where I began my career as a teacher in Lord Scudamore Primary school (now Academy). 

Throughout my career I have had many opportunities including: teaching across both Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2; being subject leader across many curriculum areas; being Creative Curriculum lead across all of our schools in the HMFA and being an Assistant Head for Lord Scudamore.

In 2012 I had the honour of being appointed as the Deputy Head and later the Headteacher at Sutton Primary Academy.   The school has grown over the years and the children continue to thrive because of the dedicated team who work tirelessly to ensure that every child develops academically, socially and emotionally.  I am extremely proud of everything we do at Sutton and of our children.

In 2021, I was appointed as the Executive Headteacher of two of our schools within the HMFA, Marden Primary Academy and Pencombe CofE Primary School.  I was also the Deputy CEO for the previous CEO of the HMFA and have continued in this role when the new CEO was appointed in 2021.

I am passionate about the educational experience we provide for our young people.  Working alongside us at Sutton is our wonderful team of Governors who support us in our endeavour to provide the best possible outcomes for pupils which is achieved through clear direction and an engaging educational experience for all pupils.

 

 

  

See  SPA Local Committee Information & Declarations of Interest button further down the page. 

BIO Coming soon 

 

 

  

See  SPA Local Committee Information & Declarations of Interest button further down the page. 

My journey with the HMFA started 13 years ago as a student at Sutton Primary Academy. I completed my training in Reception and KS1 and also gained experience in KS2. Since then, I have worked within the Federation in KS1 and KS2 with my most recent post being in Year 1 back at Sutton Primary Academy. Since then, I have become the Deputy Headteacher and completed my NPQH, both of which I am incredibly proud of. It is a pleasure to work alongside Liz, the staff and whole Sutton community. As a teacher, I am committed to providing the best learning experiences for our children- I enjoy planning alongside the KS1 team to create enriched classrooms filled with fun and new experiences. I am passionate about the teaching of early reading and phonics as well as implementing the Harmony Curriculum across the school. Most recently, I have enjoyed researching and piloting new schemes to further develop the curriculum we offer at Sutton.

 

 

  

See  SPA Local Committee Information & Declarations of Interest button further down the page. 

As a parent of children who attend Sutton Primary Academy, I am passionate about supporting the school to continue to provide an excellent education and give the children opportunities to develop as individuals in a caring environment. I have 12 years’ experience as a Primary Teacher and currently work for the LA supporting schools across the county to improve pupil attendance and engagement with education. My knowledge of educational policy and experience in working with a wide variety of schools across Herefordshire help me to carry out my role as a governor. As a parent I am proud to be part of the team striving to improve and enhance our children’s school lives, and to contribute my time and energy to the strategic decisions that will make a difference to all children at the school

 

 

  

See  SPA Local Committee Information & Declarations of Interest button further down the page. 

SPA Local Committee

Information & Declarations of Interest (20.12.24)

Local Committee Meeting Attendance

SPA Local Committee Attendance Academic Year 2024-2025
AutumnSpringSummerTotal attended Sep 24 - Aug 25
07/11/202406/03/202505/06/2025
MatthewAshcroftNoYes1 of 2
ZaylaBeechamYesYes2 of 2
VictoriaBlooreYesYes2 of 2
SamanthaLaitYesYes2 of 2
KeithLawtonYesYes2 of 2
LizOrtonYesYes2 of 2
SPA Local Committee Attendance Academic Year 2023-2024
AutumnSpringSummerTotal attended Sep 23 - Aug 24
08/11/202306/03/202406/06/2024
MatthewAshcroftYesYesYes3 of 3
ZaylaBeechamNoYesYes3 of 3
VictoriaBlooreYesYesYes3 of 3
SamanthaLaitYesYesYes3 of 3
KeithLawtonYesYesYes3 of 3
LizOrtonYesYesYes3 of 3
SPA Local Committee Attendance Academic Year 2022-2023
AutumnSpringSummerTotal attended Sep 22 - Aug 23
16/11/202209/03/202314/06/23
LizOrtonYesYesYes3 of 3
MatthewAshcroftYesYesYes3 of 3
ZaylaBeechamNoYesYes2 of 3
KeithLawtonYesYesYes3 of 3
VictoriaBlooreYesYesYes3 of 3
SamanthaLaitN/AN/ANo0 of 1

HMFA Trust Governance

Sutton Primary Academy is part of the HMFA Multi-Academy Trust.

Trust Governance information and documents can be found on the HMFA website (see link below).

Local Committee Documents

Contact Information

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