The Priory Federation of Academies Trust has announced eight new trustees after the Department for Education (DfE) formally closed an investigation into its former CEO’s spending.
The new appointments were confirmed at a meeting of the Trust on Monday night. They join three others in forming the new Trustee group.
The DfE held an investigation at the school after it was discovered former CEO Richard Gilliland had been spending inappropriately.
This included high-paid jobs within the Trust for his family, spending money on renovating a building to live in, and even the purchase of sex games.
The police investigation is still ongoing, but as part or negotiations with the DfE, the Trust elected new trustees.
The Trust overlooks Priory Academy LSST, Priory Witham Academy, Priory City of Lincoln Academy and Priory Ruskin Academy.
The new board of Trustees are Howard Gee, Kate Hindmarch, Frank Knowles, Ian Jones, David Knowles, Simon Richardson, June Kirton, Peter Murphy, Steve Milner, Deborah Harry and Jane Powell.
The new members, include specialists in finance, law, education, business, logistics and human resources, will bring additional expertise to the Trust.
The new board will now begin looking for its new CEO, as well as deciding on a new constitutional framework for the Trust.
The Priory Federation of Academies said it has completed or is working on a number of points written out in its Action Plan.
In addition to the new board members, directors and education accountants, completed plans include redrafting new key policies, new firm of external auditors, a human resources manager and consultations with staff and students.
Chairman Terry Coffey retired from the Trust. He said: “I have worked exceptionally hard with senior colleagues over the last few months to help steer the Federation through a very difficult period.
“I was tasked by the DfE with creating an accountable, effective and fully functioning organisation which was capable of delivering the highest standards and the best practice.
“I have done exactly that and I am now proud to hand over, as I had always intended, to the next generation. There are some very talented people on board and I have no doubt the Trust will continue to go from strength to strength.”
New Chairman Howard Gee, who was on the board previously too, said: “I am delighted to have the opportunity to lead the new board of Trustees into the next phase of our development.
“The new board brings an impressive range of skills and expertise that will allow us both to support and challenge the academies’ work to ensure that our students achieve their full potential.”
The Priory Ruskin Academy Chairman of Governors, and a Higher Education representative from Churchill College, Cambridge, will continue as Trustees.
The new Priory Trustees
Sponsor Trustee Howard Gee
Howard Gee has 34 years’ employment at a major engineering company in Lincoln. Currently involved in pan-European project to harmonize IT systems in 11 sites across five countries. Governor at the Priory Witham Academy and predecessor schools for more than 10 years, the last six as Chairman.
He said: “My experience of operations management in large organisations, working within the highest standards of compliance, will transfer across very readily to the Federation structure. We have much to build on and even more to achieve.”
Sponsor Trustee Kate Hindmarch
Kate Hindmarch is Partner at Langleys Solicitors LLP in Lincoln, specialising in employment law. Part-time Employment Tribunal Judge sitting in Birmingham. Trustee of First College, Louth. Former Chair of Women in Newark and a committee member of the Working Group for Business Women’s Link (Lincolnshire & Rutland).
She said: “The Federation has seen terrific expansion in recent years. I should like to see a period of consolidation and reflection as the new Trustees come on board, perhaps with a view to having other academies join us in the medium term.”
Sponsor Trustee Frank Knowles
Frank Knowles is currently a self-employed education consultant and inspector, undertaking Section 5 (Ofsted) and other inspections, quality assurance reading of inspection reports and supporting schools becoming academies. Previously one of Her Majesty’s Inspectors of Schools (HMI); local authority senior adviser; Deputy Head of a large inner city comprehensive school: Head of Department and teacher of Mathematics.
He said: “I want to see stability, improvement and success in all four academies. My particular strengths lie in leadership and management, curriculum, analysis of assessment data, school self-evaluation and school improvement – strengths which I hope will benefit the Federation in the years to come.”
Ex-Officio Trustee Ian Jones (Interim Chief Executive Officer of the Priory Federation of Academies)
Ian Jones has been Priory Federation Interim CEO since March 2012; Priory Academy LSST Headmaster 2008-present; City of Lincoln Community College Headmaster 2003-08.
Academy Trustee David Knowles (Chairman of Priory LSST Governors)
David Knowles is the Head of Compliance and risk Management, ADAS Group of Companies (since 1993). Priory LSST Governor and Committee Member since 1992, with special responsibility for Disciplinary Panel (Chairman). Past Chairman of Coleby All Saints C of E County Primary School. Chartered Member of the Institute of Safety and Health.
He said: “I want to help maintain and grow The Priory’s reputation as comprising some of the foremost academies in the UK; where students are put first, and where staff, trustees and committee members are always mindful of this.”
Academy Trustee Simon Richardson (Chairman of Priory City of Lincoln Governors)
Simon Richardson is the owner of QSP, an international development business which manages and owns private medical facilities, business parks, aviation training, international construction projects and boutique short-stay accommodation. A former pupil of the City School, a former governor of Newark & Sherwood College and a former director of Newark Enterprise Agency, Mr Richardson has served as a City of Lincoln Governor for 12 months, chairing both the General Purposes and Finance committees.
He said: “I believe all students can achieve great things, irrespective of their academic abilities or background. I support anything which helps young people achieve their career and business aspirations. At the Trust itself, I want to see an open and engaging board with a clear vision for the future and which sets clear goals for senior management.”
Academy Trustee June Kirton (Chairman of Priory Ruskin Governors)
June Kirton is a Retired Personnel Officer, North-Eastern Group Area of a nationalised industry.
She said: “In Grantham, I will support the Headmaster at Priory Ruskin as he continues to bring two local schools together under a new build. At Trust level, I will support the Chairman while the Federation builds on its recovery from recent events.”
Academy Trustee Howard Gee
Acting Chairman of Priory Witham Governors until a permanent appointment is made.
Staff Trustee Peter Murphy
Peter Murphy has been a Teacher of Science for 16 years; employed at the Priory Ruskin Academy, Grantham, since its formation in September 2010.
He said: “I want to see the federation continue to grow and improve. I also wish to see a more open leadership within the academies and the Trust to ensure that staff can see the direction in which the Federation is heading.”
Parent Trustee Steve Milner (Priory Ruskin)
Steve Milner is Logistics Manager with BAe Systems; previously 22 years in the RAF, leaving as a senior NCO. Also currently a volunteer with the BAE Systems Education Ambassador programme – a scheme which raises awareness among young people of engineering by supporting the teaching of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) subjects.
He said: “I want to ensure that there is a clear, simple process that ensures that the views of parents are heard and acted upon appropriately. I hope to see greater collaboration and sharing of best practice between the teaching departments in the Federation. Ultimately, I want to see the Federation continue to take positive steps forward, learning from the mistakes of the past and becoming a better, stronger and truly exceptional educational facility.”
Co-opted Trustee Deborah Harry
Deborah Harry is Chief Finance Officer at the University of Lincoln. Formerly Director of Finance at the University of Northampton. A Certified Accountant and Chartered Company Secretary, Ms Harry is currently Treasurer of the British Universities Finance Directors Group (BUFDG).
She said: “My aims for the Trust are financial rigour and excellent accountability and communications. As a mother of two, I want to see continued academic excellence – schools that the city, community, pupils, teachers and parents are all proud of.”
Co-opted Trustee Jane Powell
Jane Powell is the Group secretary of Lincolnshire Co-operative. A solicitor responsible for all the legal and corporate governance aspects of the business; also looking after, at a high level, the Co-operative’s strategies for internal audit, whistle-blowing and fraud prevention. Company secretary of Lincolnshire Co-operative development agency, a not-for-profit organisation which promotes and supports the creation of new cooperative ventures; and Lincolnshire Co-op’s nominee representative on the board of Lincoln City FC.
She said: “I want the Federation to become an open and transparent organisation clearly perceived as working with the interests of the children who attend the various academies at the forefront of everything it does. I believe it already has the interests of the children as its primary consideration, but unfortunately I’m not sure that’s the generally perceived view.”
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There have been 41 new coronavirus cases and no COVID-related deaths in Greater Lincolnshire on Wednesday — down from 67 cases and two deaths last Wednesday.
The government’s COVID-19 dashboard recorded 21 new cases in Lincolnshire, 11 in North East Lincolnshire and nine in North Lincolnshire.
On Wednesday, -2 deaths were registered in Lincolnshire and none in Northern Lincolnshire. These figures include deaths both in and out of hospitals, as well as residents in hospitals outside the county. Fluctuations in data can occur for a variety of reasons including corrected data, misdiagnoses or wrong addresses.
NHS England has reported no new local hospital deaths at the four Greater Lincolnshire health trusts.
On Wednesday, national cases increased by 2,491 to 4,378,305, while deaths rose by 38 to 127,161.
In local news, more than a third of call-outs for Lincolnshire Police assistance are related to mental health issues, as the force has seen spikes in suicide rates affecting young people disproportionately.
This has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and multiple lockdowns across the UK, with Lincolnshire Police Chief Constable Chris Haward expecting further increases in mental health reports as the county leaves lockdown.
Since Monday, Greater Lincolnshire’s average infection rate has fallen, compared to the England average that has seen a small increase.
Boston, North Lincolnshire, South Kesteven and Lincoln City have seen small spikes since Monday, with North Kesteven remaining the same and the other districts noticing a reduction.
Boston has the 8th highest infection rate in the UK currently.
Here’s Greater Lincolnshire’s infection rates up to April 14, according to the government dashboard:
Greater Lincolnshire’s infection rates from Apr 7 to Apr 14. | Data: Gov UK / Table: James Mayer for The Lincolnite
In national news, about of half of the UK population in private households is estimated to have COVID-19 antibodies, meaning they have been vaccinated or were previously infected.
A survey by the Office for National Statistics suggests that an estimated 54.9% of people in England had the antibodies in the week ending March 28. This figure is largely unchanged from the previous two weeks, when the last survey was done.
A major UK trial looking at whether COVID vaccines can be mixed with different types of jabs used for first and second doses is being expanded.
Combining vaccines might give broader, longer-lasting immunity against the virus and new variants of it, and offer more flexibility to vaccine rollout.
Coronavirus data for Greater Lincolnshire on Wednesday, April 14
Greater Lincolnshire includes Lincolnshire and the unitary authorities of North and North East (Northern) Lincolnshire.
58,813 cases (up 41)
40,956 in Lincolnshire (up 21)
9,254 in North Lincolnshire (up nine)
8,603 in North East Lincolnshire (up 11)
2,182 deaths (no change)
1,611 from Lincolnshire (down two)
303 from North Lincolnshire (no change)
268 from North East Lincolnshire (no change)
of which 1,302 hospital deaths (no change)
810 at United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust (no change)
41 at Lincolnshire Community Health Service hospitals (no change)
1 at Lincolnshire Partnership Foundation Trust (no change)
450 in Northern Lincolnshire (NLAG) (no change)
4,378,305 UK cases, 127,161 deaths
DATA SOURCE — FIGURES CORRECT AT THE TIME OF the latest update. postcode data includes deaths not in healthcare facilities or in hospitals outside authority boundaries.
A Lincoln-based tech CEO has been included in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for technology.
Leo Scott Smith was recognised by Forbes for his work as CEO of Tended, the Lincoln-based tech firm which has famously pushed boundaries with live-saving technology.
He set up Tended at just 22-years-old back in 2017, with the vision of putting an end to avoidable injuries and deaths in a workplace environment.
Since its inception, Tended has expanded massively and now has offices in London and China, as well as right here in Lincoln.
Leo was also included in The Lincolnite’s 2019 30 Under 30 list for Lincolnshire after the launch of his Tended Protect product, a wrist-worn device that detects danger in the workplace.
Leo Scott Smith is the CEO of Tended, based in Lincoln.
It was during a charity visit to Nepal where Leo first had the idea for his technology, realising that if he were to be in danger, he may not be found.
This prompted the beginning of Tended and the subsequent Tended Protect wristband, which can call for help in case of an emergency, and even sends GPS locations to trusted contacts.
In 2020 he continued to innovate and create, launching a vibrating wrist strap that can sense when someone comes within a pre-set distance of you, helping businesses to maintain social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
If staff breach a minimum separation distance, their wearable will vibrate to notify them to move away.
Now his efforts have been recognised even further, with famous clients such as Rolls Royce, Network Rail and Siemens all using his company’s technology.
Speaking about his inclusion in the Forbes list, Leo said: “It’s really great to be recognised for such a highly acclaimed award. It’s a huge achievement and a testament to the team at Tended as without them, the award would not have been possible.”
Lincolnshire’s Police Chief Constable says lockdown rule enforcement and relaxing COVID restrictions are the main challenges the force has at the moment, especially with a high demand for holidaying in the summer in coastal areas.
This comes as between 45 and 50 coronavirus breaches are reported each day to Lincolnshire Police.
Chris Haward became the new Chief Constable for Lincolnshire on December 19, 2020, moving his role as East Midlands Deputy Chief Constable, and replacing Bill Skelly who retired.
CC Haward said: “We’re now planning for June 21 [when further restrictions are lifted], and what that might mean to our resources and our resilience.
“We know for the east coast it’s mainly going to be people holidaying in the UK this year, and probably for next year as well, that the demand for holiday homes and caravans across the east coast is huge.
“We’re expecting a real rise in the population through the summer months. So that’s definitely a challenge for us.”
He added: “When we first started COVID enforcement, we were getting between 12 and 15 calls per day about COVID breaches, we are now averaging over 45 to 50 per day. So that’s definitely a big demand on us as we come into the summer months.
“It will be about antisocial behaviour and public order and rowdiness, particularly in our coastal towns.”
Lincolnshire Police handed out eight fines after three house parties in the Ermine area of Lincoln, on the same evening COVID lockdown restrictions eased for outdoor hospitality and non-essential retail shops reopened.
CC Haward said: “I urge people to abide by the roadmap that the government have set out. If we if we take our time, and we do it properly, then we’re more likely to come out of lockdown, and will be able to remain out of lockdown.
“We’ve come this far and for the sake of another two months, let’s just hold on to the discipline that we’ve had.”
He reflects fondly on his first 100 days in the role: “It’s been fantastic. Because of the time that I’ve joined with leading up to March and the new financial year, all the planning has given me an opportunity to go out and meet a good proportion of my officers and get out to some of the stations.”
Lincolnshire Police issued 367 COVID-19 enforcement fines, including those under local lockdowns, between March and December last year.
Eight fines were for breaches of face coverings regulations and another eight for international travel regulations.
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