The role of the local governing body at Ryecroft Academy is to help the school fulfil its main aim which is to provide the best possible education for all of its pupils.

There are many things which governors are expected to do. The following provides a brief outline:

  • Governors have responsibility, with the Principal, for deciding, reviewing and monitoring many of the policies, plans and procedures within which the academy operates
  • The governors’ role is strategic. The Principal’s role is both strategic and operational
  • It is important to recognise that governors are part of a team. They all have equal status and although they are appointed by different groups (parents, staff, The GORSE Academies Trust etc.) their main concern is the welfare of the whole academy
  • Governors make decisions democratically, by consensus. Governors do not have individual powers to act alone
  • Governors have a duty to act fairly and without prejudice at all times
  • Governors share the responsibility of appointing staff with the academy and must act in the same way as any good employee
  • Governors should consider carefully how their own decisions might affect other academies
  • Governors should encourage openness in all of their work for the academy and should welcome enquiries from parents and the general public

If you wish to contact the Chair of Governors, please contact [email protected]

Please mark your email ‘FAO Chair of Governors’.

Please find the link to the Complaints Policy here

Make a Difference, Become a Governor

Governors are highly valued volunteers who play a hugely important and rewarding role in overseeing our academies through questioning, challenging and supporting.

Meet our Governors

Name Category Date of Appointment End of Term of Office Area of responsibility Voting Rights Business Interests Other establishments they govern Any relations within the academy 2023/24 Attendance 2024/25 Attendance 2025/26 Attendance
Sophie Dunderdale Staff 09/07/2025 08/07/2029 Personal Development Yes Brother- employed by David Yeadon Ltd None Mother Tina Dunderdale – Director of Estates management GORSE 3/3 2/3 3/3
Tina Dunderdale
(Vice Chair)
GORSE Appointed 01/09/2020 12/07/2026 Safeguarding
PPM
Yes Son- employed by David Yeadon Ltd (retained by the Trust for architectural and estates activities) None Daughter Sophie Dunderdale – Teacher and AP at Ryecroft Academy 3/3 2/3 3/3
Ross Stringer
(Chair)
GORSE Appointed 01/09/2020 18/10/2026 PPM Yes None None None 3/3 3/3 3/3
Paul Cloke Community 09/03/2026 08/03/2030 SEND Yes None None Claire Cloke- Wife- Teaching Assistant September 2022 at Ryecroft Academy 2/3 3/3 3/3
Helen Townsley Principal N/A N/A   Yes None None Husband Sir John Townsley – CEO of The GORSE Academies Trust
My Parents are long term family friends of Claire Carr’s parents. Claire is Assistant Principal at Elliott Hudson College.
3/3 3/3 3/3
Carl Money Parent 21/02/2024 20/02/2028 Health & Safety
Finance
Yes None None None 1/1 3/3 2/3
Michaela Baker Parent 23/10/2024 22/10/2028 Personal Development Yes Director of an independent record label ATA Records None None 1/2 2/3