Governance at Netherthorpe School

The Academy Improvement Board for Netherthorpe School is part of a delegated structure within the Cavendish Learning Trust. 

Our Academy Improvement Board (AIB) is structured to reflect the requirements of the school and includes key governors that oversee specific areas of responsibility. The AIB has designated associates linked to Safeguarding, Quality of education, Behaviour and attitude, Personal development, Leadership and management and Post 16. All associates have responsibility to oversee SEND and Pupil premium within their delegated areas.

The Academy Improvement Board Governors for Netherthorpe School have a wide background of experience gained in both Public and Private sectors, bringing together a range of skills.

The names, categories, attendance, responsibilities and terms of appointment for each Governor are detailed further on the Cavendish Learning Trust Website. 

Structure of the AIB

Headteacher	Mrs Helen McVicar
Chair of the Academic Improvement Board and Foundation governor Representative	Mrs Rachel Swann
Vice Chair and co-opted Governor	Mr Vernon Sanderson
Trust Governor (Chair of the Trustees)	Mrs Karen Robinson
Staff Governors	Mrs Bev Catlow (stepped down 2024) Miss Shannon Crooks
Parent Governors	Mrs Jenny Nightingale-Newton Mrs Jenny Tongue Mrs Yvonne Wright
Co- opted Governors	Mr Mark Smith Miss Carly Waterhouse
Representative from the Duke of Devonshire	Mrs Gill Hart
Clerk to the Governors	Mrs Valerie Whitham

 

Their main role of the AIB is to support the Headteacher and the staff – the phrase often used to describe this role is ‘a critical friend’. We help them to set and reach targets and to strive for excellence across the whole spectrum of school life.

 

The key document used for this are the School Improvement Plan (SIP) and the Self Evaluation Summary (SES). The SIP sets out a strategic plan for the