In a Multi-Academy Trust (MAT), the Trust is responsible for all of its schools/academies. For the Community Inclusive Trust, governance of our MAT resides with Members, Trustees and Local School Boards.
Members: The members are akin to the shareholders of a company. They have ultimate control over the academy Trust, with the ability to appoint some of the Trustees and the right to amend the Trust’s Articles of Association. CLICK HERE to view the CIT Articles.
Trustees: The trustees are responsible for the three core areas of governance.
- Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;
- Holding executive leaders to account for the educational performance of the organisation and its pupils, and the effective and efficient performance management of staff; and
- Overseeing the financial performance of the organisation and making sure its money is well spent.
CIT’s Members and Trustees oversee the whole organisation and the MAT is the legal Governing Body for all CIT schools, but much of the work of the Trust Board is delegated to the Local School Board. CLICK HERE to view the CIT Scheme of Delegation.
Local School Boards and Local Governors: Schools have a committed team of Governors who are actively involved in the life of the school. They reflect the community they serve and include parent, community and staff representatives. Governors serve as a key link between the Trust Board, parents/carers and the local community. They monitor the performance of the school, advising the Trustees on what’s going well and of any concerns.
If you want to bring any matters to the attention of the Local School Board, you should email the Clerk: jingle.clerk@citacademies.co.uk or address your correspondence to the Chair of Governors at the school address.
The Governors are passionate about the school and are here to make sure that every young person is given the best education, opportunities and experiences possible. Our Governors play an important role in overseeing the work of the school, acting as “critical friends” for the Senior Leadership Team and holding the school to account for performance and development.
Please note that any complaints regarding the school must be raised in line with our complaints policy found HERE and cannot be raised with the Local School Board.
To find out more about CIT's Governance Structure, please click the link below:
Adam Thorpe
Chair of Governors
Adam currently works in the Royal Navy. Having served for 20 years, he has undertaken a number of roles within HR Administration and Information Management. He has worked in a range of locations across the UK and overseas, including time onboard 4 frigates and 1 destroyer, which included tasking for anti-piracy patrols, anti-narcotics and regional defence engagement. In addition he also served in Afghanistan on Op Herrick. His current role sees his small team facilitate the UKs largest multinational maritime exercise, ensuring 250-300 personnel and 20 plus maritime units are able to effectively conduct the required training. This role involves a broad range of activities from acquiring manpower, to arranging logistics, organising information flows and controlling access to sensitive information.
Adam volunteered for his role to support the development of a strong relationship between Poplar Farm, the parents and the community. He looks forward to assisting in any way he can to continue and strengthen the positive relationships between school and parents.
Kate Hodson
Headteacher
Mrs Hodson is the Headteacher at Poplar Farm Primary School. She has 25 years experience in education with 16 of those years as a Headteacher and an Executive Headteacher. Mrs Hodson is also a Local Leader of Education (LLE) and uses her wealth of experience to provide support to other schools.
Mrs Hodson believes all primary aged children should be taught through first hand experiences, including outdoor learning and learning about the wider world. She is passionate about opportunities and experiences for all children to enrich their learning, and enjoys planning new activities and resources for the children to enjoy.
Mina Douglas
Community Governor
Mina works as an administrator and a deputy designated safeguarding lead (DDSL) for the West Grantham Church of England Primary Academy. Her journey in education began in 2007 as a parent volunteer at her children's schools, and on moving to Grantham in 2016, her husband's hometown, Mina committed to her passion for education full-time.
Before her career switch, Mina spent 20 years in international publishing, including senior roles in operations, marketing and PR, for large corporations including Penguin Books. Educated in Japan and US, Mina has lived and worked in Japan, US, UK and India.
Mina is passionate about supporting the school's community and ensuring the children's safeguarding. She strongly believes in building trusting relationships and creating a positive and collaborative atmosphere.
Mina is excited to have the opportunity to support Poplar Farm School as a member of their LSB.
Jayne Flower
Parent Governor
David Marjoribanks
Community Governor
David works at the Money and Pensions Service, an arms-length body of the Department for Work and Pensions, where he leads policy and strategy development. Besides the public sector he has also worked in the charities sector, and for a leading Westminster think tank. Before working in policy, he worked in higher education as a Junior Lecturer at the University of Kent while studying for his PhD.
David moved to the local community two years ago and is keen to support the school to build strong links for the benefit of the community as well as the school and its pupils. David is also a father to two boys, the eldest of whom started at Poplar Farm School in September, and he is keen to support the school to be the best it can for the children whose lives and futures it is helping to shape.
Kirsty Simpson
Parent Governor
Kirsty is a parent of 2 children and an advocate of education. She has particular interests in performing arts in education and, as a head of the faculty for Creative and Expressive Arts at Retford Oaks Academy, has a keen interest and understanding in the positive impact arts, education and personal development can have on children beyond academic ability alone.
Kirsty is hard working, dedicated and always willing to accept a challenge and believes that these qualities will benefit the role.
Pamela Townsend
Community Governor
Pam has B’Ed (Primary) and NPQH qualifications. She taught at Walton Girls’ High School for 31 years and spent many years as Assistant Principal responsible for Behaviour and Safety and Primary Liaison. She retired in 2015, however still teaches there ‘on supply’.
Pam is excited to be involved with shaping a new school. She has worked closely with Governors and understands the importance of their role. Pam believes her senior leadership experience could be useful in a Governing Body and has time to be fully committed to Poplar Farm with school activities and Governor' requirements.
Laura Wright
Staff Governor
Mrs Wright works as a Teaching Assistant in Year One in the mornings and also covers teacher’s PPA time across all years in the afternoons. She started working in education in 2020 when she joined Poplar Farm School after 14 years working in banking.
Before her career switch, Mrs Wright spent time working in a number of client facing roles and five years in Corporate Communications in London before moving back to the local area.
Mrs Wright’s absolute favourite thing to do is teach phonics. Making learning fun and engaging for all children is something that she is truly passionate about.
Outside of school, Mrs Wright has two children who are 9 and nearly 7. They love spending lots of time outside having fun and heading off to all of their clubs and activities!
Pam Powell
Special Interest Trustee
Pam worked for over 40 years in a variety of primary schools before retiring from her post as a Headteacher in 2009. Having always had a particular interest in early years and special needs education, Pam became a Governor at a local SEMH school over twenty years ago. She then took on the role of Chair of Governors at two more special schools and also became an educational consultant and Chair of Governors at a primary school.
Pam was proud to be awarded a BEM for her services to education in the 2019 Queen’s birthday honours list. She hopes to make a positive contribution in her new role as a Trustee of the CIT Trust Board.
Please contact Jo in the first instance.
