About us

Governance

Olive Academies (OA) is led by a group of trustees who bring a wealth of experience from different professional backgrounds, such as business, finance and education.

OA trustees have strategic responsibility for the development of Olive Academies’ vision and values and the implementation of these in our academies.

More information about OA’s trust board can be found on the main Olive Academies multi-academy trust website.

Strong partnership working with local schools, parents, families and communities, the local authority and other partners is vital to our success and to educational outcomes of children and young people who attend our academy.

In each of its academies, the board of trustees puts in place an academy advisory board (AAB). This acts in an advisory capacity reporting to the trustees and is encouraged to offer advice, support and challenge to the headteacher to manage the academy and ensure that its performance is of a high standard. The trust approves the appointments of AAB members.

Olive Academies’ AABs are crucial to the smooth running of our academies, as they provide fundamental input and guidance on the local context and on leading the academy.

A4 Governance Diagram Sept 2021 Web

AAB members April 2024

  • Kevin McDonnell, Independent Chair, Headteacher, Stormont House School, and National Leader of Education
  • Jeanette Lowe, OA MAT Board Trustee
  • Ele Stoneham, Leadership Capacity Now
  • Claire Elliott, Headteacher, Holbrook Academy
  • Samantha Valdez, Policy Adviser, Department for Health and Social Care
  • Elspeth Rowe, Head of Grove Primary

The AAB is also attended by Leigh Foster, Lead Standards & Excellence Officer, Suffolk Local Authority.

AAB members will meet with pupils and parents and carers to ensure they are involved in helping shape provision at the academy.

This is the funding agreement made with the Department for Education, and our accounts and other key governance documents are available here.

Attendance records and latest declarations of interest are available to view below. If you have any general questions about governance please contact the governance professional via info@oliveacademies.org.uk - please mark your emails for the attention of the Governance Professional.

OA Sf AAB Attendance and Declaration of Interest Download
AAB member Governance handbook Sept 2024 Download