Governors

Our Governors

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

Our governors are:

Angela Watts

Headteacher

Angela Watts
Susan Deane

DRET Appointed Governor (Chair)

Susan Deane

Sue joined the ASC as a DRET Appointed Governor on 28 February 2018. She was previously Chair of Governors at another three Primary Academies within the Trust. She has also been a member of the Trust Board and a member of the Education Sub-committee for the Trust. She has the assigned governor link role for SEND and is interested in Safeguarding. Sue is a retired teacher, and she brings her education experiences and knowledge to the ASC. Her interests and passions include singing, reading, travel and knitting.
Georgia Williams

DRET Appointed Governor (Vice Chair)

Georgia Williams

Georgia was appointed a Parent Governor on 24 May 2019. She wanted to join the ASC and support the academy as they do a wonderful job and she wanted to give something back to the local community. Georgia wants to help make the academy the best it can possible be. Georgia has been elected Vice Chair by her fellow governors and also has the assigned link role for Pupil Premium. She is the Team Leader at Barclays in Operations and has the ability to analyse data, communicate with people at all levels and challenge decisions.
Clair Mills

Trust Senior Link

Clair Mills
Dave Young

DRET Appointed Governor

Dave Young

Dave joined the ASC in June 2023. Having been a Governor at two different DRET secondary schools, Dave wanted to gain the an experience of Primary and to be able to use what he knew from secondary to help at a primary level.

Dave has a masters in Educational Leadership, and has worked as a senior leader in several schools. He is strong in data and analysis, as well as having a lot of experience in safeguarding and attendance in various settings.

Outside of education, Dave enjoys mountain biking, crossfit and climbing, and also spends a lot of time listening to podcasts.
Andrew Mayze

DRET Appointed Governor

Andrew Mayze

Inspired by the work of his late wife, Andrew joined the ASC to help other children reach their full potential.

Andrew is a Sales and Marketing Manager for a cleaning company based and operating within London and the M25. His career has allowed him to develop several transferable skills including project management, financial and business acumen and develop a range of interpersonal communication.

Outside of being a work, Andrew is a keen Luton Town supporter and plays competitive Pétanque (French Boules) to a reasonable level. Whilst he can cook to a good level, Andrew has a passion for eating out, especially at fine dining restaurants.
Elise Serrell

Staff Governor

Elise Serrell

Elise was appointed as a Staff Governor on 27 February 2019. She originally became a governor to broaden her understanding of the role and to contribute to the wider outlook of the school, not just focusing on the day to day tasks that a teacher undertakes. Since she was appointed, Elise has progressed within her career and has taken on additional roles such as EYFS lead, SENDCo, RWI lead and Assistant Head. Elise provides the Headteacher with data analysis for the early years, works with the SEND link governor to undertake learning walks, considers data and support in place and also contributes to discussions around early reading within the school.
Janet Pinnock

Staff Governor

Janet Pinnock

Janet was appointed a Staff Governor on 2 November 2021. She wanted to become a school governor because she is passionate about making sure every child receives the best possible education, achieves their full potential and is ready for their next stage in learning. Janet is a Year 6 class teacher at the academy and has worked in primary education for over 25 years. In the various positions she has held in different schools, she has been involved in raising standards in all areas of the curriculum. She looks forward to having the opportunity to share her experiences and skill set in her governor role. Along with spending time with her family, Janet enjoys cooking and baking. She also loves going on walks with her lively springer spaniel.
Gifty Beckley

Parent Governor

Gifty Beckley

Gifty was appointed a Parent Governor on 7 December 2021. Her three children attend the academy and she welcomes the opportunity to make a positive contribution to the ASC. Gifty is a Project Manager and brings various skills to the ASC which includes planning, bench-marking and risk assessment. She enjoys current affairs, shopping and helping others.
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Lucy Tidd

Parent Governor

Lucy Tidd

Lucy was appointed a Parent Governor on 9 June 2023 as she wanted to become more involved in the local community, especially where her children attend school. By joining the ASC, Lucy wishes to learn more about the work behind academies, and to be a voice on behalf of the parents at the school. She is an OFSTED registered childminder, with 9 years of early years’ experience, including a Foundation Degree in Early Childhood Studies, which she is currently in the process of topping up to a Bachelors Degree with honours. Lucy has extensive knowledge of safeguarding, and early years learning and development. She is fascinated by how children learn and develop from birth, and loves to find out why and how we learn and develop the way that we do! She really enjoys music of every genre, and going out with her little family. They enjoy swimming, shopping, and visiting family together.
Teresa Elkin

Clerk

Teresa Elkin

Teresa Elkin has been clerking academies within the Trust since 2014. As a former Chair of an Outstanding primary school and part of the governance teams at Northamptonshire County Council and the David Ross Education Trust, she decided to become an independent clerk to support governing bodies. Teresa also supports other maintained schools and academies in the county. Teresa's initial career was in advertising and marketing but a move into education, governance in particular ensured that she had a wide range of skills to bring to governing bodies. Teresa is an experienced governor and Chair, a governor trainer and mentor to individual governors and Chairs. Her passions and interests are the Theatre, literature and international travel.

Governor Assigned Responsibilities

Early Years - Gifty Beckley

Early Reading and Phonics - Gifty Beckley

Pupil Premium - Georgia Williams and Lucy Tidd

Safeguarding - Dave Young

Attendance - Andrew Mayze

Curriculum - Clair Mills

Inclusion (consisting of SEND, EAL and Curriculum) - Susan Deane

Contacting a Governor

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, 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.

governor recruitment booklet summer 2023.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