Governance
Ormiston Denes Academy is committed to delivering an exceptional education for its students. As such, all aspects of our provision are required to be of the highest standard. Our expert governance team works to both support and hold to account senior leaders in the fulfilment of our aspirations.
Our governors
- Work with leaders to communicate the vision, ethos and strategic direction of the academy, and develop a culture of ambition.
- Provide a balance of challenge and support to leaders, understanding the strengths and areas needing improvement at the academy.
- Understand the impact of teaching, learning and assessment on the progress of students in the academy.
- Ensure that the academy’s finances are properly managed, and can evaluate how the academy is using the pupil premium, Year 7 literacy and numeracy catch-up premium and special educational needs funding.
- Are transparent and accountable, including in the recruitment of staff, governance structures, attendance at meetings and contact with parents.
Chair of Governors, Mrs Tina Ellis can be contacted by emailing our Clerk to the Governors (as shown below) or writing to Ormiston Denes Academy, Yarmouth Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR32 4AH.
Clerk to the Governors is Mrs. S Pitts who can be contacted at [email protected]
You can contact our governors via the academy: [email protected]
Tina Ellis Chair of Governors, Safeguarding & Community Governor
Tina has had extensive senior leadership within the civil service and particularly skills development. She is a Governor at East Coast College including being its link governor for safeguarding: A member of the Lowestoft and Waveney Chamber of Commerce Executive and its Suffolk wide People and Skills Group.
This passion for skills includes supporting employers with their future skills needs and ensuring every young person is helped to make successful future career choices.
She believes in consistent partnership working with all our stakeholders particularly parents/ carers and grandparents.
When not providing support to the community, Mrs Ellis enjoys reading, walking and gardening.
Kate Williams, Principal
Kate has wide ranging leadership experience over the last decade, both as a principal and also as a part of a senior leadership team that took a school in challenging circumstances to outstanding over just three years. Her experiences of leading on learning and teaching and then on improving student outcomes resulted in significant improvements across more than one school. She has been a leader in coastal, urban and rural schools and brings a wealth of experience to Ormiston Denes Academy.
Kate is passionate about ensuring that every child is happy, safe and successful and that each child is an individual whose talents should be discovered and nurtured and whose needs cannot be allowed to be a barrier to learning. She believes that developing quality leaders is key to sustainable progress and that quality first teaching is key to ensuring that no child is left behind.
Cath Craig, SEND (Pastoral) & Community Governor
Cath joined the academy as a Community Governor in October 2022.
Steve Keeble, SEND (Curriculum) & Community Governor
After working in dental technology, Steve did an Open University science degree followed by teacher training.
He has worked full time in Education from 1997, as a Teacher of Science, Head of a Science Department and as an Assistant Principal in two local schools.
Steve’s interest and passion for learning has also involved him being a Voluntary Community Education worker, working for the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust as a Lead Practitioner and as an action researcher with University of Cambridge.
His main interests are in curriculum, science, SEND, and vocational options.
He retired from working in education in 2020 and now enjoys being a grandad to two grandsons, playing guitar, cooking, hill walking and kayaking.
Mr Rob McKay, Community Governor
Rob joined the academy as a Community Governor in December 2022.
Charlotte Ingram, Parent Governor
I’m Charlotte, I am thrilled to join the Ormiston Denes Academy community as a Parent Governor. With my ongoing experience as a SEND and Inclusion Governor at a REAch2 academy.
I bring a strong commitment to supporting the diverse needs of all students. My passion lies in advocating for an inclusive and supportive environment where every student has the opportunity to succeed.
As a Parent Governor at Ormiston Denes, I am eager to collaborate with the leadership team, staff, and parents to ensure we are continually striving for excellence in all aspects of school life. I look forward to contributing to the ongoing development of the academy, focusing on creating a nurturing environment that aligns with our shared values and aspirations for our children’s futures.
Hazel Packer, Community Governor
I am experienced school leader working in the independent sector. Having worked as Director of Sixth Form at Norwich High School for over ten years, I am responsible for the curriculum, attendance, welfare, behaviour and outcomes of the Sixth Form; essentially all things pertaining to the running of the Sixth Form are my responsibility. I also work along with the SLT on strategic and operational whole-school matters, and I lead on Staff Development, having introduced WalkThrus at the start of this academic year.
I know the power of education for social justice and am proud to have increased the Sixth Form bursary intake under my leadership. I am interested in supporting Ormiston Denes, the young people in your care and the important role you play in the wider community.
Outside of work, I am a Mum of three sporty children aged 7, 9 and 10 who keep me incredibly busy. I also enjoy the outdoors and sport and still play football myself, albeit at a somewhat slower pace and for a 7’s team.
Marion Gibbons, Community Governor
Marion joined our Governing Body in Summer 2024, although Marion has been a regular in the academy for many years prior to this working alongside our students to ensure the future of our students after their time here. Marion is from Beacon East who are an education business partnership and careers guidance provider working across the eastern region. Their mission is to develop ‘meaningful relationships between education and business and industry,’ and they also provide high quality careers guidance services to meet the latest statutory requirements and most importantly, help guide students correctly to the next stage of their ‘life path.’ Marion, who holds the required Level 6 qualification in Careers Guidance works in our school one day a week offering support to students.
Kerry Payne, Community Governor
Kerry joined our Governing Body in September 2024. Kerry has worked for East Coast College since 2005. She has years of experience in curriculum development in post-compulsory education and has excellent understanding and implementation of quality processes and report writing. She also has experience with direct management of curriculum areas with responsibility for detailed self-assessment and review procedures.
Maria Hogg, Community Governor
Maria joined the academy as a Community Governor in Summer 2024.
Mrs Julie Richings, Support Staff Governor
Mrs Richings has worked at Ormiston Denes Academy for 16 years, initially as a business & enterprise co-ordinator and, for the last number of years as transition and co-curriculum Projects Manager. Julie was elected support staff governor in April this year, and has taken on the role of link governor for student mental health and wellbeing. She is passionate about our students, and supports them with transition from primary school, and from secondary school into college, work experience, trips, projects and workshops. Mrs Richings supports our strong careers programme. Her main hobbies are walking with her two dogs, spending time with her three grandchildren, and gardening.
How to make a complaint
Please refer to the complaints policy in the first instance, which can be found on our policies and guidance page here.
Additional information
If you wish to contact our governors please email the academy in the first instance, care of [email protected]
Ormiston Trust, OAT’s sponsor Trust is a charity and grant-making trust dedicated to improving the life chances of children and young people who face disadvantage.
Ormiston Trust (OT) was founded by Peter Murray in 1969 in memory of his sister Fiona Ormiston Murray.
In 2006 the Trust became an academy sponsor, aiming to increase educational opportunity for all young people and to narrow the attainment gap. Through its subsidiary, Ormiston Academies Trust, OT is now responsible for a network of primary and secondary schools across the country from Grimsby to the Isle of Wight. Work in Ormiston academies is underpinned by a set of shared values including a commitment to parental and community engagement.
OAT is a charitable voluntary organisation which relies on the valuable input of a considerable number of non-executive volunteers, supported by an experienced team of staff. OAT is a relatively large Multi-Academy Trust that covers a sizeable geographical area. The Trust have been moving towards a more regional model of governance in order to better support school improvement.
In the OAT governance model, each academy is ultimately governed by the Board of Trustees. Ormiston Academies Trust will establish for each academy, a Local Governing Body. Local governance is delivered through these Local Governing Bodies, who are made up of staff, parents, local community members and a trust representative. National Governance is set by the Board of Trustees and delivered through the National Executive Team and the Regional Directors, on behalf of the Board.