The David Ross Education Trust

David Ross Education Trust schools create a rich and exciting learning environment that inspires students to become their confident, academic best.

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The Arbours Primary Academy

Our outstanding school has over 390 children and we are continually improving and developing what we offer to our pupils as one of the best primaries in the area.

Governors

Our Governors

The Arbours Primary Academy is governed by an Academy Scrutiny Committee.

Our governors are:

  • Angela Watts
    Headteacher
  • Susan Deane
    DRET Appointed Governor (Chair)
  • Gifty Beckley
    Parent Governor (Vice Chair)
  • Clair Mills
    DRET Appointed Governor
  • Dave Young
    DRET Appointed Governor
  • Andrew Mayze
    DRET Appointed Governor
  • Celia Chapman
    DRET Appointed Governor
  • Keeley Pearl
    DRET Appointed Governor
  • Elise Serrell
    Staff Governor
  • Janet Pinnock
    Staff Governor
  • Teresa Elkin
    Clerk

Current Governors 

Name Governor Type Appointed By Term of Office  Term From Term To Declarations of Interest and other Governance Roles as at 22 December 2024 Governor Assigned Responsibilities  Attendance 23/24 Attendance 24/25
Gifty Beckley Parent governor Elected by parents  First 07 Dec 2021 6 Dec 2025
  • Nothing to declare 
  • Early Years Link Governor
  • Early Reading and Phonics Link Governor 
5 of a possible 5 4 of a possible 4
Celia Chapman  Appointed governor  Appointed by foundation/Trust First  6 Feb 2025 5 Feb 2029
  • Nothing to declare 
  • SEND Link Governor 
Not applicable, not in post 1 of a possible 2
Susan Deane Appointed governor Appointed by foundation/Trust Second 28 Feb 2022 27 Feb 2026
  • Governor at Eastfield Academy
  • Co-Opted Committee Member of DRET Education Committee
  • Inclusion consisting of SEND, EAL & Music Link Governor
5 of a possible 5 4 of a possible 4
Andrew Mayze Appointed governor Appointed by foundation/Trust First 02 Oct 2023 1 Oct 2027
  • Governor at The Firs Primary School (Ampthill)
  • Employee of EMCOR (UK) Ltd
  • Attendance Link Governor 
3 of a possible 5 2 of a possible 4
Keeley Pearl Appointed governor Appointed by foundation/Trust First 16 May 2025 15 May 2029
  • DRET Employee - Area Safeguarding Lead
Not applicable, not in post  Not applicable, not in post
Janet Pinnock Staff governor Elected by school staff First 02 Nov 2021 1 Nov 2025
  • Nothing to declare 
  4 of a possible 5 4 of a possible 4
Elise Serrell  Staff governor Elected by school staff Second 27 Feb 2023 26 Feb 2027
  • Nothing to declare 
  5 of a possible 5 4 of a possible 4
Angela Watts Principal Ex-officio by virtue of office as headteacher/
principal 
Not applicable 23 Apr 2019 Ex Officio
  • Governor at Abbey CE Academy 
  5 of a possible 5 4 of a possible 4
Dave Young Appointed governor Appointed by foundation/Trust First 30 Jun 2023 29 Jun 2027
  • Nothing to declare 
  • Safeguarding Link Governor 
  • Pupil Premium Link Governor
4 of a possible 5 3 of a possible 4
Clair Mills  Appointed governor (previously Trust Senior Link) Appointed by foundation/Trust First 07 Apr 2025 06 Apr 2029
  • Husband works for X Sign
  • Governor at The Arbours Primary Academy 
  • Curriculum Link Governor
4 of a possible 5 3 of a possible 4 

 

Former Governors 

 Below is a list of Governors that have served in the past 12 months. 

Name Governor Type Appointed By  Terms Served  First Appointed Leaving Date Declarations of Interest and other Governance Roles  Attendance 22/23   Attendance 23/24 Attendance 24/25
Keleigh Moore Appointed governor Appointed by foundation/Trust 1 02 Apr 2024 4 Dec 2024
  • Nothing to declare 

Not applicable, not in post 

1 of a possible 2 0 of a possible 1 
Adrianne Haynes-Samuel Appointed governor  Appointed by foundation/Trust  1 01 Oct 2024 6 Mar 2025
  • Nothing to declare 

Not applicable, not in post 

Not applicable, not in post  2 of a possible 2

Contacting Us

The Governance Officer for The Arbours Primary Academy is Victoria Linthwaite. Victoria can be reached at governance@dret.co.uk

To contact a governor, please contact the Trust Governance Team by emailing governance@dret.co.uk.

If you are looking to contact a Governor to make a complaint or share a concern, please note that as per our Complaints Policy, governors do not investigate complaints at Stage 1 or Stage 2.  This enables them to be impartial should a complaint be escalated to a Stage 3 governor panel. If you wish to make a complaint, please complete this form and your complaint will be investigated accordingly.

Scheme of Delegation

Information about the David Ross Education Trust’s scheme of delegation is available here.

Minutes of the Academy Scrutiny Committee

Should you wish to view a copy of the minutes of the ASC at this academy, please contact the Trust Governance Team (governance@dret.co.uk), who will be able to provide you with an electronic or paper copy of the minutes.

Are you interested in becoming an academy governor?

We are looking for new governors to support our academies. Our governors work closely with their academies to support the Trust’s goal of broadening the horizons of young people through a world-class education, equipping our students with the skills and experiences to become their confident, academic best, no matter what.

If you have an interest in, and commitment to, improving education and would like to make a difference within your community, please register your interest in becoming a governor by completing our governor application form. If you have any questions about a governor’s role or responsibilities please contact us at governance@dret.co.uk or review our information pack below. 

march 2024 governor recruitment booklet.pdf

  

What is it like being a governor with DRET?

To understand what it is like to be a governor with us, take a look at our testimonial booklet and videos which contain insights from serving governors.

governor testimonial booklet .pdf

  

 Emma Bennett 

Angela Watts 

Stephen Platten 

 

Garry Allen 

What training do Governors receive? 

We offer an extensive range of training opportunities. Take a look at what is on offer for the current academic year.  

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