One of the ways in which you can support your local community school is by becoming a governor. Governance is a hugely important part of the life of the academy; governors act as critical friends, challenging the leadership and supporting academy life. If you would like to know more about the role of the governor, please don’t hesitate to contact the clerk to governors who can be reached via info@thedeanacademy.org

Correspondence to the governing body should be directed to the Chair of Governors, Ms Amanda Deeks and sent to The Clerk to Governors, Mrs Michelle Saddington, The Dean Academy, Church Road, Lydney. GL15 5DZ.

Governance details can be found on the Athelstan Trust website.

Members of the Governing Body

Ms Amanda Deeks
Ms Amanda DeeksChair of Governors
Ms Janine Fox
Ms Janine FoxGovernor
Mrs Karen Frost
Mrs Karen FrostCo-Opted Governor
Mr Richard Brand
Mr Richard BrandHeadteacher
Mr Dave Child
Mr Dave ChildStaff Governor
Mr Eddie Pearson
Mr Eddie PearsonCo-Opted Governor
Mrs Michelle Saddington
Mrs Michelle SaddingtonClerk To Governors
Mr Thomas Dunne
Mr Thomas DunneVice Chair of Governors
Mr Eric Witheridge
Mr Eric WitheridgeCo-Opted Governor
Mrs Alison Harris
Mrs Alison HarrisCo-Opted Governor
Mr John Donoghue
Mr John DonoghueParent Governor
Mr David Fisher
Mr David FisherGovernor

Message from the Chair

I am honoured to have been appointed as Chair of The Dean Academy’s Local Governing Body.

The Dean Academy Local Governing Body is comprised of parent governors or co-opted governors drawn from the local community. We are extremely fortunate to have a team of governors with a wide range of skills and experience who are all committed to the growth and success of the school. We want the best possible outcomes for all the young people who attend The Dean Academy. We are part of the Athelston Trust’s growing community of schools. The Trust is committed to raising educational standards and believes in developing the talents and skills of all staff and students.

I am a passionate believer in every child having the benefit of an excellent education and to have as wide a range of experiences as possible included in that education. Parents must make choices about the best education for their child, and I believe that we have an obligation to ensure that they have an excellent school at the heart of their local community. We aim to help our school achieve the best possible outcomes for our students, and through our core values of respect and responsibility, produce the citizens of the future.

I grew up in the Forest of Dean, and have lived near Lydney for the last 30 years. I recently retired as Chief Executive of South Gloucestershire Council which has allowed me to play a more active role in the local community. In addition to my role at The Dean Academy, I am a trustee for Gloucestershire Young Carers and a member of Gloucestershire’s Children and Young People’s Coalition. I also have a passion for music and play the cornet with Forest of Dean Brass, one of our local brass bands that reflect a great tradition in the Forest of Dean.

I have five (soon to be six) grandchildren who are a constant reminder of how precious our children are, and our responsibilities to ensure all our children have the best possible chance of a happy and healthy future.

Amanda Deeks OBE

Declaration of Business Interests & Meeting Attendance

THE DEAN ACADEMY LOCAL GOVERNORS 2019/2020

Governor Name Governor Category Roles Register of Interest Start Date End Date Attendance 18/19

6 x LGB

2 x Standards Committee

BEVERIDGE Tom Head of School Staff 1/9/16 Ongoing 8/8
BLACK Helen Parent Link Governor Maths None 9/12/15 8/12/19 6/8
CHILD Dave Staff (Teaching) Health & Safety Governor Staff (Partner is staff) 11/10/19 10/10/23 6/8
FOX Janine Parent Chair of Governors

Link Gov World Affairs

Employee of Hartpury College 10/2/16 9/2/20 7/8
PEARSON Eddie Co-Opted None 12/11/13 11/11/21 5/6
ROBINSON Callie Co-opted None 03/12/18 02/12/22 3/4
EVANS Kate Co-opted None 11/02/19 15/02/23 2/3
PALMER Craig Staff Staff 16/02/19 15/02/23 3/3
SPILLER Emma Parent SEN Governor

Safeguarding Governor

None 01/09/16 31/08/20 2/6
DEAR Amanda Co-Opted None 20/03/17 Resigned 21/11/18 1/1
STEPHENS Julie Staff (Support) Staff 2/10/15 Resigned 03/12/18 2/2
HEUSTON Pauline Co-Opted 4/11/15 Resigned 4/8
FROST Karen Co-Opted Vice-Chair of Governors

Vice-Chair Standards Cttee

PP Governor     Link Gov ADP

Governor at John Kyrle High School, National Leader of Governance, Value Based Leadership Ltd, Teach First Mentor 16/9/15 23/9/19 6/8

Clerk to the Local Governors:   Michelle Saddington