Governors

II’ve been a governor here since 2022 and since September 2024 have chaired the governing body. The governors work with the Principal as she leads a dedicated and caring staff team in teaching our young people, and I’m constantly impressed by the behaviour of our students and their achievements. Having been to a similar school myself and had lots of opportunities and support from my teachers, I’m really committed to helping young people see they have so much potential and lots of options in life – perhaps ones they haven’t necessarily thought about.

I joined the team at Wakefield Cathedral in early September 2022 where I oversee pastoral care, education, safeguarding, and outreach in the community. So I’m really glad to be joining Trinity Cathedral Academy as a Governor. I’ve been in the Church of England all my working life, having graduated first in history and then in theology. At different times I’ve worked in three parishes and two universities as a chaplain and a teacher of theology. I’ve also been a governor of three schools, on the governing body of a university college, and was clerk to the trustees of a theological college.

My working life has been within the electronics assembly industry in European sales and marketing management. After serious illness in 2009, I completed an MBA at Sheffield Business School and decided to offer myself as a volunteer in areas that I felt passionate about and where I could make a positive impact.

My daughter was a pupil in CAPA Juniors and I want to ensure that all of our children are taught in a safe and happy school that challenges them to exceed their potential. It is essential that the Trinity Academy Cathedral LGB have a clear understanding of what it is like to be a parent or guardian at our school.

I had the privilege of leading Cathedral as Principal for 8 years from 2016. That time was an absolute privilege as I worked to serve the students, staff and families that make up an incredible community. In that time, together we achieved great things and the academy went from strength to strength, something which has continued under Miss Gillinder’s leadership. As I now support the school in my new role I look forward to seeing the academy develop further, ensuring that all young people have a chance to succeed, flourish and enjoy their learning.

As Principal, I work closely with our fantastic governing body to ensure we are giving the best possible provision to every student, every lesson, every day. Our governors are highly committed and involved in academy life; through regular visits, effective training and purposeful meetings, they support us to make the best possible decisions in ensuring a world class educational experience for all our students. The governing body share in our vision, that 'everything is possible for one who believes' and they challenge us to break down barriers, obliterate obstacles and strive for excellence in everything we do for our young people

It is such a privilege to be appointed as a Governor at Trinity Academy Cathedral. I have 10 years' experience as a school Governor and over 20 years' experience in education, teaching at schools in Wakefield and Barnsley. My subject is Maths and I absolutely love sharing my passion for the subject with all children. I currently work at Trinity Academy St Edward’s as Assistant Principal for Teaching and Learning. I am proud to work for Trinity MAT and to work closely with the fantastic team at Cathedral. Being a Governor gives me the opportunity to share my experiences and expertise alongside providing support and challenging the team to ensure that every student receives the highest possible standard of education, experience and care.

I worked for West Yorkshire Police for 48 years and with responsibility for recruiting and assessments, I was involved in policing HR at a national level, including managing HR for the Force’s Positive Action Recruitment Campaign. I am a member of Chapter at Wakefield Cathedral and it is through this role that I was invited to become a Governor at Trinity Academy Cathedral.

The Christian Ethos of Trinity Academy Cathedral supports this viewpoint and provides a culture that allows young people to reach their full potential and become valuable members of society.

People of all levels of academic ability should have access to career opportunities and I am an advocate for apprenticeships and T-Level qualifications. I am a Route Panel Member with the Institute for Apprenticeships & Technical Education, which has responsibility for ensuring that apprenticeship standards and T-Level qualifications are high quality and meet the needs of employers, apprentices, learners and the economy at large.

My background is in Education, Art and Enterprise in particular, having taught Art and Design up to ‘A’ level in the South Yorkshire area for many years in some quite challenging schools. Currently I am a senior GCSE examiner for one of the examination boards, training teachers how to mark their students work, overseeing a team of moderators and visiting a number of schools in June where I moderate their GCSE Art and Design work, which all helps to keep me thoroughly up to date with changes in secondary education.

I am an active member of the congregation at Wakefield Cathedral, having worshipped there for 25 years, serving as a Church Warden for six years and currently a lay member of the Cathedral Chapter, a role I find especially rewarding as we plan Phase 3 of the Cathedral’s development.

Outside of work and other interests, I am a ‘paper sculptor’, creating figures from white cartridge paper in sizes ranging from 30cms up to life-size, leading workshops in schools, WI’s, Flower Clubs and working on individual commissions.

I thoroughly enjoy being a Governor at Trinity Academy Cathedral and being part of the school's exciting journey into the future.

I have worked in fostering for more than 20 years. My husband and I run our own Safeguarding Organisation, working with professionals in education, fostering services and social care, ensuring that everyone understands the importance of Safeguarding Children. I am very pleased to be part of the Cathedral Governing body and I’m looking forward to becoming involved. I hope that my knowledge and background of working with children and young people who are or have previously been looked after will enhance the already experienced Governing Body.

I have recently been fortunate in securing a position at Trinity St Edwards as their new Exams & Data officer, so I’m hoping that by working and volunteering my time across the Trust will be beneficial.

I am delighted to contribute to the governing body of Trinity Academy Cathedral. In doing so, I hope I am ‘giving back’ to a school which has offered me so much in the final years of my teaching career.

I have taught for 37 years in five schools - from Peterborough to West Yorkshire – and held a number of posts, including 24 in senior leadership roles and 15 as a headteacher. I really enjoyed my 6 years at TAC and was proud to play a part in building the capacity and success of the French team. I also took on a role in co-ordinating the Trust’s work under the Turing Scheme which involved planning and leading 3 visits to Rome and 1 to New York during 2024. 160 students from 6 of the Trust’s academies benefitted from these visits.

As a languages teacher, I am passionate about all things French, but I also care very much about engaging students in a wide range of opportunities to enhance their learning.

Hello! I am a mission-driven educational leader currently serving as the Trust Strategic Lead for Sciences and P16 at Outwood Grange Academies Trust. Accountable for the curriculum, academic outcomes, and educational provision across 28 secondary establishments, I operate with a deeply rooted ethos: students first: raising standards and transforming lives, driven by a profound commitment to social mobility. My work within some of the most socio-economically deprived areas in the North of England.My overarching mission which transfers perfectly with Trinity Academy Cathedral is to dismantle barriers to success, ensuring that every student—regardless of background—is empowered to lead a fulfilling, purposeful life after leaving compulsory education.

As a governor, my key role involves data-driven advocacy & Pupil Premium. I hold a strategic interest in supporting Trinity Academy Cathedral, leveraging his extensive data expertise to guide the leadership team in optimizing their Pupil Premium strategy and closing the disadvantage gap.

I am fortunate to have some national sector influence; I serve as an Ofqual Subject Specialist for Science and proudly lead the National Science Subject Network (SSN), helping shape the landscape of science education on a broader scale.

My journey in education began in 2013, when I qualified as a teacher through the prestigious Teach First program, forging my passion for educational equity. I joined Outwood Grange Academies Trust in 2015 and have since embarked on a progressive leadership trajectory, serving as Head of Science, Director of Science and Regional Director of Science, prior to his current trust-wide executive role.

Through each of these chapters, I have combined high expectations with empathetic leadership, proving that robust data systems, exceptional subject provision, and a relentless focus on the individual child can truly transform life chances.