Horizon Academy Trust

Central Team

Central Team (ID 1208)

  • Michael Dodd
    CEO

    Michael Dodd

    Michael is the Chief Executive Officer of Horizon Academy Trust and was formerly the Executive Head Teacher of Biggin Hill and Cleeve Primary Schools. As an NLE he has provided extensive support to a number of schools, and facilitated both the NPQH and the NPQEL.

  • Andy Rhodes
    Deputy CEO & School Improvement Lead

    Andy Rhodes

    Andy Rhodes is the School Improvement Lead and Deputy CEO of Horizon Academy Trust. Andy has extensive experience working alongside schools and school leaders to offer advice and support regarding school improvement models and pedagogy. Since 2014 Andy has worked as a National Leader of Education supporting the wider system and has supported many local schools to improve.

  • Sarah Whiteley
    Chief Operations Officer

    Sarah Whiteley

    Sarah is the COO across the Trust managing all of the school estates, health and safety and catering.

  • Matthew Soulby
    Senior IT Manager

    Matthew Soulby

    Matthew Soulby is the Senior IT Manager for Horizon Academy Trust. Matthew has over 19 years experience working in the education sector with experience in both primary and secondary schools.

    Matthew works closely with the schools to ensure ICT always moves forward providing them with a clear strategic plan covering all aspects of the school’s IT systems, working to improve service delivery this provides schools with a high IT availability enabling them to deliver outstanding teaching and learning across the Trust

  • Stuart Clark
    Leader of Learning

    Stuart Clark

    Stuart Clark works with Horizon Schools and Leaders on a day to day basis to secure and support progress in all schools. He has previous experience as Head of School at Biggin Hill Primary School, helping it to secure "outstanding" during the inspection in 2015.

  • Sophie Scott
    HR Adviser

    Sophie Scott

    Sophie provides HR leadership and support across the Trust. Previously Sophie worked for many years at the Local Authority providing support for schools across the city.

  • Anne Caine
    Governance Professional

    Anne Caine

    Anne is a affiliated member of the Chartered Governance Institute, an active member of NGA Governance Professional network having sat as a panellist at the NGA annual conference and holds a legal practice certification. Anne has supported governance compliance across a range of sectors and has chosen to specialise in primary governance. Anne works with governors, trustees and head teachers to promote best governance practice.

  • Judi Johnson
    Catering Manager

    Judi Johnson

    Judi has extensive experience working in high level catering operations, and uses her skills and experience to manage the kitchens across the Trust.

  • Gemma Meyerhoff
    Catering Support

    Gemma Meyerhoff

    Gemma works with the staff across our school kitchens providing them with the support they need to ensure the delivery of high quality food to our children.

  • Carla Varley
    HR Assistant & Learning Centre Co-ordinator

    Carla Varley

    Carla has extensive experience supporting schools with operational HR queries. Carla is responsible for the Learning Centre, and supports all employees to get the information that they need in relation to their continual professional development.

  • Sarah Gant
    Trust Finance Support Officer

    Sarah Gant

    Sarah supports the CFO with the day to day running of the central finance services across the Trust. Sarah has extensive experience of supporting school business managers with financial queries.

  • Claire Purdue
    Chief Financial Officer

    Claire Purdue

    Claire is an experienced CFO with hands on experience working as a Trust auditor for many years. Claire manages the strategic financial planning for the Trust, and works closely with the CEO, COO and trustees. Claire ensure that the financial management of the Trust supports every school to make effective financial decisions, that promote pupil attainment and an enriched curriculum offer.

  

Trustees

Trustees (ID 1211)

  • Michelle Kermeen
    Chair of Trustees

    Michelle Kermeen

    Term of Office - 1 May 2017 - 1 May 2025

    Appointed by - Members

    Michelle is currently Assistant Principal at a large secondary school and has been a senior leader for the last 8 years.

    Michelle has extensive experience working as a mentor to NQTs and staff. She has also worked closely with the University of Hull to develop their secondary ITT programme.

  • Peter Greef
    Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee

    Peter Greef

    Term of Office - 1 May 2017 - 1 May 2025

    Appointed by - Members

    Peter has been a long standing school Governor (over 28 years) and latterly member of 2 Interim Executive Boards of Primary Schools placed in Special Measures, one of which is now judged Outstanding

    Now retired, Peter spent all of his working life connected with administration, funding and development of post-16 training and education, initially with the Dept. of Employment, then with various agencies of the Manpower Services Commission before taking up a position as Executive Finance Director with Humberside Training & Enterprise Council. Before retiring, he was involved in the appraisal and funding of large scale capital building projects within the Learning & Skills Council.

  • Terry Dunn

    Terry Dunn

    Term of Office - 1 May 2017 - 1 May 2025

    Appointed by - Members

    Terry has spent his career working in the Private sector for several FTSE 100 companies in various capacities in the compensation and benefits arena. He is currently working on an organisational change management programme for Smith and Nephew plc.

    Terry is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals and has a foundation degree in Payroll Management.

    Terry has been the Chair of Governors for a local primary school for fifteen years and previously was a member on the regional board of Young Enterprise.

  • Hester Bridges

    Hester Bridges

    Term of Office - 11 September 2022- 11 September 2026

    Appointed by - Members

    Hester has spent over twenty years working in the third sector and local government, focused on improving wellbeing for individuals, families and communities in Hull.

    More recently, Hester has held senior leadership roles at Hull City Council. In her role as a city Councillor she is involved in improving outcomes for children, including being on the Corporate Parenting Board.

    As a Trustee, Hester will bring a special interest in health and wellbeing, thriving communities, and supporting those who need more support to achieve.

  • Heather Lacey

    Heather Lacey

    Term of Office - 12 September 2024-12 September 2025

    Appointed by - Members

    Heather has a wealth of experience with a career teaching in a variety of schools across several authorities. She has been a Headteacher for over 10 years and is in her second headship. She has a passion for pastoral and nurture provision in school and supports other schools and Headteachers. She influences practice and policy across her LA by being a leading member of a number of influential boards.

  • Jane Garnett

    Jane Garnett

    Term of Office - 1 January 2023 - 1 January 2026

    Appointed by - Members

    Jane has over 23 years of teaching experience in the primary sector, and has served as local governor for 12 years. Jane drives school improvement at an operational and strategic level, and has particular interest in Literacy and health and wellbeing.

  • Stephen Garnett

    Stephen Garnett

    Stephen works in the charitable sector and has extensive financial experience, that he brings to the Trust. Stephen has joined the Trust board to further support the local community.

 

Members

The primary function of the Members is to oversee the proper and effective operation of the Board of Trustees.

The Members meet at least once a year and by invitation of the Board may attend one of the Board of Trustees meetings annually in a non-voting capacity.

Alan Chaffey

Alan Chaffey is a qualified teacher and holds the national qualification for headship and a master's degree in education. Alan has considerable leadership experience, including headship of two primary schools, both of which he led to outstanding. Alan has also worked as a school improvement partner for a local authority. Although now retired from headship, Alan regularly leads school inspections.

 

Wendy Ripley

 

Wendy Ripley became an HMI in January 2006. She is a qualified teacher and has a doctorate in education. Wendy has extensive leadership experience gained in further and higher education, secondary schools and early years. She has lectured on child development and teaching, learning and assessment. Wendy is an experienced lead inspector of children’s centres and primary and secondary schools, and has particular expertise in inspecting schools causing concern. She contributed significantly to the inspection of children’s services and has been on secondment to a local authority as Assistant Director for School Improvement. 

Clare Campbell-Hamilton

 Clare has over 18 years' teaching experience and completed her Primary PGCE at Hull University.  She has worked in a range of Primary settings which include inner-city schools as well as Children Centre's and Nursery schools.  Clare has an EYFS specialism and SLE status which she uses to support other authorities nationally. During her career, she has led three Foundation Stage units to outstanding, two of which are in Horizon Academy Trust. 

Her current role is a senior management position for Delta Academy Trust as a Primary Director of Learning, with a commitment and drive in supporting the transformation of education across the north of England for those children who live in disadvantaged circumstances. 

Richard Marsden

Richard was a career Civil Servant in the Department of Work and Pensions, entering the service as a clerk at age 17, and working his way up to a Senior Executive Officer (Operations Manager) on retirement in 2010.

Richard is a trustee of a Family Trust managing properties in the private rental sector. He is also a trustee of Kirk Ella Parish Relief in Need Charity and treasurer of Kirk Ella Parish’s Mill Lane Cemetery. He has served as a School Governor for the last 7 years.

Michelle Kermeen

After training in Manchester, Michelle started her career at Winifred Holtby School in September 2002 and became Head of English in 2006 before being appointed Assistant Principal in 2011. Michelle's role is focused on teaching and learning, with a particular focus on Literacy and English.

Michelle is also a trustee of Horizon Academy Trust and will provide the link between the members of the trust and the trustees.

 

Primary School Website design by Greenhouse School Websites

↑