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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It’s nearly time for entrants to pull out their running shoes as the ASDA Foundation City of Lincoln 10k returns this Sunday, but there will be some disruption due to road closures in place for the event.
The race starting on Riseholme Road attracts thousands of runners every year. This year’s race begins at 10am on October 31 for both seasoned runners and also fancy-dressed fundraisers and beginners looking for fun.
Run For All is working in partnership with city of Lincoln Council to deliver the event. The event will require the closure of roads and road junctions, as well as the suspension of a number of Traffic Regulation Orders between 4pm on October 30 and the same time on the day of the event.
Road closures for the ASDA Foundation City of Lincoln 10k.
The route map for the ASDA Foundation City of Lincoln 10k.
Event timings
7am – Event car parks open
9am – Race office opens
9.45am – Baggage store truck leaves and relocates to event village. The race warm up is also at this time
10am – City of Lincoln 10k begins
10.30am – The winner is expected to finish by this time
There will also be a team of pacers on the day. They will be pacing at five-minute intervals between 40 minutes and 1.5 hours.
Event facilities
The Race office is located in Yarborough Leisure Centre car park and will be open between 12pm-3pm on Saturday and from 9am on Sunday
Baggage store – You can drop your baggage here at the Yarborough Leisure Centre car park before 10.40am. After the run, you can collect your baggage from the store in Westgate car park opposite the event village
Drink stations – bottled water is available on the course and at the finish. Competitors are advised to ensure that they consider the effects of dehydration
Support & entertainment – a variety of performers will be on hand to keep you motivated around the course
Charity village – The Asda Foundation City of Lincoln 10k is partnered to several local and national charities. The painter charities will be on hand to meet and greet the runners, as well as raising awareness of their work
First aid – personnel will be on hand to help at regular intervals on the course with fixed first aid stations located near to the water stations. In addition, there will be a first aid unit and recovery area located near to the finish
Food and drink – there are a number of bars and cafes in the area that will be sure to welcome spectators and participants
Parking – information regarding parking can be found here
A former tourist information office at Lincoln Bus Station – used to serve takeaway from the coffee shop next door during the pandemic – will become a watch repair shop.
Instead, he will be looking to reopen in the now-defunct information office at the bus station as The Watchman, supplying watch batteries, straps and other accessories.
Mr Redfearn said he had “come to terms” with having to leave the market, but said about the move: “I’m looking forward to it.”
It was originally staffed by members of the council’s customer services team. A spokesman for the authority, however, said it was only ever intended to be a short-term introduction to the bus station.
How the booth looked when the bus station first opened. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
The council spokesman said: “The reception desk was something we incorporated into the bus station when it first opened.
“It was intended to be used for a limited time period to issue bus passes, answer queries and deal with customer enquiries about council services.
“The desk closed at the beginning of 2020 and we are delighted to have found a tenant who we believe will provide a useful service and prove to be a positive addition to the bus station.”
There have been new 563 cases of coronavirus confirmed in Greater Lincolnshire on Monday, as more than six million booster jabs have been given in the UK and pharmaceutical giants say one vaccine is showing good results in six to 11-year-olds.
The Greater Lincolnshire case figure is almost 30% down on the 801 cases on last Monday.
Meanwhile, the latest national vaccination data shows that one-in-eight eligible adults in the UK have received a booster jab.
The latest COVID stats for Lincolnshire are:
563 new cases of coronavirus in Greater Lincolnshire with 428 in Lincolnshire, 64 in North East Lincolnshire and 71 in North Lincolnshire
No further deaths were recorded in the government figures
However, five further deaths were recorded in Greater Lincolnshire Hospitals since Friday with all of them at United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust.
New NHS figures have shown that at least 6.1 million booster doses have been delivered as of October 24 – including 5.2 million in England.
As of Friday, NHS Lincolnshire said more than 60,000 covid booster vaccinations have been given to-date in Lincolnshire
People who are eligible, including all health and care staff, care home residents, people at risk, carers and people over the age of 50, will be invited by their GP or by the NHS as six months elapses after their second vaccine, and everyone is encouraged to book their appointment as soon as they receive their invitation.
The latest figures also show more than nine in 10 staff in care homes have had at least one dose and more than eight in 10 have had two as the government looks to make it compulsory for front line health workers.
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Meanwhile, the makers of the Moderna vaccine said they had “good results” from trials on six-11-year-olds.
Tests on 4,753 children have suggested two doses creates a strong immune response and that most side effects were mild.
Labour leader Kier Starmer has said schools should have exclusion zones to stop protesters “intimidating” children and parents.
He said there was “growing evidence” of anti-vaxxers outside schools and said there needed to be “fast-track exclusion orders”.
He said it was “important action is taken”.
It comes as Downing Street said local directors of public health should “balance the risk of COVID along with the potentially longer-term harm of any disruption to education” before bringing in tougher restrictions.
The prime minister’s official spokesman said: “These are powers that directors of public health have had for some time, which the government introduced, to allow them to take local action when they felt necessary.
“We would expect the directors of public health to work closely with the Department for Education and the Department of Health and Social Care in making any decisions in that regard.”
Coronavirus data for Greater Lincolnshire on Monday, October 25
133,831 cases (up 563)
89,073 in Lincolnshire (up 428)
21,858 in North Lincolnshire (up 71)
22,900 in North East Lincolnshire (up 64)
2,390 deaths (no change)
1,746 from Lincolnshire (no change)
328 from North Lincolnshire (no change)
316 from North East Lincolnshire (no change)
of which 1,439 hospital deaths (up five)
885 at United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust (up five)
44 at Lincolnshire Community Health Service hospitals (no change)
1 at Lincolnshire Partnership Foundation Trust (no change)
509 in Northern Lincolnshire (NLAG) (no change)
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.
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