Radcliffe Hall Primary School pupils
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Our Board

The Sycamore Church of England Trust is a charitable company (a company limited by guarantee and an exempt charity) which exists for the provision of education.

Members

Every trust has members who have a similar role to shareholders of a company limited by shares. The members of an academy Trust have a different status from the Trustees.

The Academies Governance Guide (2025) summarises the role of members as follows, They:

  • are the subscribers to the memorandum of association (where they are founding members)
  • may amend the Articles of Association subject to any restrictions created by the funding agreement or charity law
  • Members have an overview of the governance arrangements of the Trust and have the power to appoint Trustees and remove these Trustees may, by special resolution, issue direction to the trustees to take a specific action 
  • Appoint the Trust's external auditors and receive (but do not sign) the audited annual report and accounts (subject to the Companies Act)
  • have  power to change the company's name and ultimately, wind it up

Members must not be employees of the the Trust nor occupy staff establishment roles on an unpaid voluntary basis. While members can also be Trustees, retaining some distinction between the two layers ensures that members, indpendent of Trustees, provide oversight and challenge. 

In the Sycamore Church of England Trust, the Members, acting corporately and by majority vote, appiont members of the Board of Trustees. Members may remove any Trustees appointed by them and receive the Trust's Annual Report, including its annual accounts.

In addition, in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006, Sections 489 and 490, the members ensure the Trust has legally appointed auditors. 

Trustees

New Trustees are recruited from time to time. This is done in a transparent way using a role description and an indication of the areas of specialist skill, experience or expertise the Board wishes to strengthen in the light of an audit of skills and experience. 

In accordance with our Articles of Association, the Foundation Trustees must always hold an overall majority of at least two. It is the Foundation Members who appoint the Foundation Trustees. Where it is felt by the Foundation Trustees that additional skills are required on the Board, with teh consent of the Diocesan Board of Education, they may appoint additional co-opted Trustees.

The Board of Trustees discharges its responsibilities through meetings 4-6 times per year which include all Trustees, including the CEO, and the CFO, in attendance.

It receives reports from:

  • The CEO summarising the achievements and challenges of the Trust against the Trust's development plan and any strategic decisions the Trust faces
  • All Local Academy Committees, comprising a year group by year group analysis of standards and updates on progress to development plan targets 
  • Trustees' Finance Committee - summarising end of key stage anticipated performance at each termly data drop and performance against Ofsted criteria in each category
  • Director of Operations report summarising key activities as well as key HR measures of Trust, programme management, risk register and compliance (including school website content, H&S and manadatory policies)

Our Members

Current Members
Historic Members
Register of Interests 2025-2026
Name of Member Position in Trust Type of Member Appointed by Date of appointment Date of resignation Pecuniary Interests
Mr Mark Granby Member Chair of Trustees Original (signatory) members 01/06/2017 N/A Yes
Mr Anthony Lee Member Additional Member Original (signatory) members 01/06/2017 N/A No
Canon Donna Williams Member Bury Area Dean Foundation/sponsor members 15/01/2024 N/A No
Ms Deborah Smith Member Manchester Diocesan Board of Education Foundation/sponsor members 06/01/2023 N/A Yes
Rev Stephanie Mawhinney Member Parochial Church Council Christ Church Foundation/sponsor members 02/10/2024 N/A Yes
Mr Robert Haigh Member Foundation Member Foundation/sponsor members 13/01/2025 N/A TBC

 

Name of Member  Position in Trust Type of Member Appointed by Date of appointment Date of resignation Pecuniary Interests
Ms Helen Clark Member  Parochial Church Council Christ Church Original (signatory) members 01/05/2022 01/10/2024 No
Name Name of Business or Organisation Type of Interest Additional Information Date of Appointment Date of Cessation of Interest Relationships 
Mr Mark Granby MLG Governance Services Ltd Director   1st May 2014   None
Bury College Governor   1st January 2014  
The Keep Learning Trust Trustee/Director/Member   1st January 2016  
Bury Athletic Club Trustee   1st January 2021  
Forrest Governance Ltd Business or finance interests Associate 1st September 2019  
Bury Governor Association Other governance role Vice Chair - Voluntary Role 1st September 2017  
UK Athletics Other governance role Chair of UKA Rules Group 8th October 2024  
Governors for Schools Business or finance interests Adviser 1st October 2025  
Mr Anthony Lee                                                              None declared None
Canon Donna Williams                                                              None declared None
Mrs Deborah Smith Diocese of Manchester Business or finance interests Director of Education 1st November 2019   None
Trinity CofE High School Member   1st November 2019  
Cranmer Education Trust Member    27th November 2019  
Thrive Church of England Academy Trust Member  Member  1st July 2022  
Roch Valley CofE MAT Member    15th June 2020  
The Quill CofE Trust Member  Member  31st October 2019  
The Bishop Fraser Trust Member    14th December 2023  
Watergrove Trust Member    12th December 2023  
Vantage CE Academies Trust Member    4th April 2023  
Forward as One MAT Member    13th December 2022  
Wings CE MAT Member    13th May 2024  
Archbishop Temple CE MAT Member    5th November 2024  
Leverhulme CE Community MAT Member    1st February 2025  
DBE Services Director   31st October 2019  
Oldham and Henshaw Trust Director   5th September 2022  
Rev Stephanie Mawhinney St Andrew's CE Primary School Governor   2nd October 2014   Family member is member of IEB at Bury CE High School from November 2024
Mr Robert Haigh RHA Educational Consultancy Ltd Director Supplying advisory coaching and consultancy services to schools 1st October 2007   None
St Mary's CE Primary School, Moston Other governance role Associate Governor/ Diocesan Schools' Advisor 13th May 2024  


Our Trustees

Current Trustees
Historic Trustees
Register of Interests 2025-2026
Name of Trustee  Position in Trust Type of Trustee Appointed by Date of Appointment Terms of Office Pecuniary Interests
Mr Mark Granby Chair of Trustees Foundation Academy Members 01/06/2021 01/06/2021 – 30/05/2025 Yes
Mrs Janet Adams Trustee Foundation Academy Members 01/06/2021 01/06/2021 – 31/05/2025 Yes
Mr Alan Beedie Trustee Foundation Academy Members 01/07/2023 01/07/2023 - 30/06/2027 Yes
Ms Kathryn Sowden Trustee Co-opted Academy Members 01/09/2021 01/09/2021 – 31/08/2029 No
Mr David Taylor Trustee Foundation Academy Members 01/03/2020 01/03/2024 – 29/02/2028 No
Mr Ian Young CEO / Accounting Officer Foundation Academy Members 01/06/2017 N/A Yes
Ms Morven Hudson Trustee Foundation Foundation Members 30/10/2024 30/10/2024 - 29/10/2028 No
Name of Trustee  Position in Trust Type of Trustee Appointed by Date of Appointment Date of Resignation Pecuniary Interests
Mr John Hall Trustee Foundation Academy Members 01/03/2020 31/08/2025 No
Name Name of Business or Organisation Type of Interest Additional Information Date of Appointment Date of Cessation of Interest Relationships 
Mr Ian Young Fairfield Primary School  Governance   14th December 2022   None
Mr Mark Granby MLG Governance Services Ltd Director   1st May 2014   None
Bury College Governor   1st January 2014  
The Keep Learning Trust Trustee/Director/Member
 
  1st January 2016  
Bury Athletic Club Trustee   1st January 2021  
Forrest Governance Ltd Business or finance interests Associate 1st September 2019  
Bury Governor Association Other governance role Vice Chair - Voluntary Role 1st September 2017  
UK Athletics Other governance role Chair of UKA Rules Group 8th October 2024  
Governors for Schools Business or finance interests Adviser 1st October 2025  
Mrs Janet Adams Roch Valley MAT Trustee Vice Chair of the Trust Board 1st September 2018   None
Oak Learning Partnership Trustee Trustee 1st September 2021  
Chesham Primary School Governance Chair of IEB 30th September 2023 1st March 2024
Mr Alan Beedie                                                                                     None declared None
Mrs Morven Hudson                                                                                     None declared None
Mrs Kat Sowden                                                                                     None declared None
Mr David Taylor                                                                                     None declared None

Our Local Academy Committees

Christ Church CE Primary School

Name Member Type Appointed By Date of Appointment Term of Office Pecuniary Interests Resignation Date (if applicable)
Katherine Ashworth (Chair) Foundation Appointed by Trustees 13.09.22 13.09.22 - 12.09.26 Yes N/A
Martin Van Hecke Executive Headteacher Ex-officio 01.09.25 31.08.27 No N/A
Kay James Head of School Ex-officio 01.09.25 31.08. 27 No N/A
Jeni Whitham Community Appointed by Trustees 18.03.24 18.03.24 - 17.03.28 No N/A
Danielle Holt Staff Elected by Staff 31.01.24 31.01.24 - 30.01.28 No N/A
Dominique Stead Parent Elected by Parents 01.06.21 01.06.21 - 31.05.25 No N/A
Julie Benson  Foundation Appointed by Trustees 04.09.23 04.09.23 - 03.09.27 No N/A
Saaiba Ahmed Parent Appointed by Parents 24.02.25 24.02.25 - 23.02.29 No N/A

Historic 

Name Member Type Appointed By Date of Appointment Resignation Date Pecuniary Interests
Sarah. L. Howard  Headteacher Ex-officio  01.01.2019 31.08.2025 No
Alison Morrell Community Appointed by Trustees 18.03.24 26.06.2025 Yes

 

Holy Trinity CE Primary School

Name Member Type Appointed by Date of Appointment Term of Office  Pecuniary Interests Resignation date (if applicable)
Canon Cath Hilton (Chair) Appointed by Archdeacon Appointed by Archdeacon. Representative of the vicar 16.11.21 16.11.21 - 31.08.25 No  
Helen Mallinson Foundation Elected by PCC 01.06.24 01.06.24 - 11.03.27 No  
Captain Cor Van Der Woude Foundation Elected by PCC 01.01.24 01.01.24 - 31.08.27 No  
Malcolm Mattison Foundation Elected by PCC 09.10.22 09.10.22 - 10.10.26 No  
Sarah Doughty  Staff Elected by Staff 01.06.23 01.06.23 - 30.03.27 No  
Alison Knott Headteacher Ex officio 06.01.20 06.01.20 No  

Historic 

Name Member Type Appointed By Date of Appointment Date of Resignation Pecuniary Interests
Paula Heap Foundation Elected by PCC 01.09.2020 31.08.2024 No
Sajidah Ahmed Parent Elected by Parents 30.11.2021 31.12.2024 No
Iram Samina Parent Elected by Parents 01.06.2023 31.12.2024 No

Radcliffe Hall CE Methodist Primary School

Name Member Type Appointed by Date of Appointment  Term of Office Pecuniary Interests Resignation Date (if applicable)
Elizabeth Cook Headteacher Ex-officio  08.04.24  08.04.24 No N/A
Shirley Thornton (Chair) Community Appointed by Trustees 01.09.24 01.09.24 - 31.05.26 No N/A
Helen Chatburn  Foundation Appointed by Trustees 31.05.22 31.05.22 - 30.05.26 Yes N/A
Alexandru Lascar Parent Elected by Parents 16.10.23 16.10.23 - 15.10.27 No N/A
Natalie Curley Parent Elected by Parents 16.10.23 16.10.23 - 15.10.27  No N/A
Megan Cuthbert Staff Elected by Staff 12.03.24 12.03.24 - 31.08.27 No N/A
Rebecca Healey Staff  Elected by Staff 01.09.23 01.09.23 - 31.08.27 No N/A
Revd Adele McKie Foundation Appointed by Trustees 16.06.25 16.06.25 - 15.06.29 No N/A

Historic 

Name Member Type Appointed by Date of Appointment Resignation Date Pecuniary Interests
Jane Close Foundation Appointed by Trustees 01.06.2023 10.01.2025 Yes
Paul Johnson  Community  Appointed by Trustees 01.06.24 01.06.2025 No

St John's CE Primary School

Name Member Type Appointed By Date of Appointment Term of Office Pecuniary Interests Resignation Date (if applicable)
Maria Boyle (Chair) Foundation Appointed by Trustees 01.03.24 01.03.24 - 29.02.28 No N/A
Tracy Cansdale Headteacher Ex-officio 06.01.25 01.01.25 No N/A
Rev Adele McKie Foundation Appointed by Trustees 13.12.23 13.12.23 - 12.12.27 No N/A
Phil Chapman Community Appointed by Trustees 19.12.22 19.12.22 - 18.12.26 No N/A
Memunat Balogun Parent Elected by Parents 18.03.24 18.03.24 - 17.03.28 No N/A
Lisa Fleming Parent Elected by Parents 05.10.21 05.10.21 - 04.10.25 No N/A
Michelle Milne Staff Deputy Headteacher 06.01.25 06.01.25 No N/A

St Stephen's C.E. Primary School

Name Member Type Appointed By Date of Appointment Term of Office Pecuniary Interests Resignation Date (if applicable)
Sarah. J. Howard (Chair) Foundation Appointed by Trustees 01.12.23 01.12.23 - 19.07.29 Yes N/A
Sally Denney Headteacher Ex-officio 01.12.23 01.12.23 No N/A
James Roles  Foundation Appointed by Trustees 01.12.23 01.12.23 - 22.10.25 No N/A
Chrissy Howard Community Appointed by Trustees 01.06.24 01.06.24 - 31.05.28 No N/A
Jackie Harris  Community Appointed by Trustees 01.12.23 01.12.23 - 30.11.27 No N/A
Lisa McCullough Parent Elected by Parents 01.12.23 01.12.23 - 30.06.26 No N/A
Benjamin Smith Staff Elected by Staff 29.10.24 29.10.24 - 28.10.28 No N/A
Robert Lawson Parent Elected by Parents 15.10.24 15.10.24 - 14.10.28 No N/A

St Thomas's CE Primary School

Name Member Type Appointed by Date of Appointment Term of Office Pecuniary Interests  Resignation date (if applicable)
Martin Van Hecke Headteacher Ex officio  01.05.21  01.05.21  No  
Janet Lyssejko (Chair)   Appointed by Trustees, Diocese nomination 17.11.21  17.11.21 - 16.11.29 Yes   
Caroline Haughton Associate Governor Appointed by Local Governing Body 01.10.02 01.10.02 No   
Ummrana Farooq Co-opted Governor Appointed by Trustees 08.02.23  08.02.23 - 07.02.27 No   
Sofia Khan Parent Governor Elected by Parents  15.05.23  15.05.23 - 14.05.27 No   
Nicola McCoy Staff Governor Elected by Staff 18.10.23  18.10.23 - 17.10.27 No   
Aamer Qureshi  Parent Governor Elected by Parents 26.02.24  26.02.24 - 25.02.28 No   
Sohail Younus Co-opted Governor Elected by Trustees 08.03.24 08.03.24 - 07.03.28 No   
Caroline English-Mather Local Governor Appointed by Trustees 09.06.25 09.06.25 - 08.06.29 TBC  
Linda Binns Local Governor Appointed by Trustees 09.06.25 09.06.25 - 08.06.29 No  
Emma Butler Head of School  Ex officio 01.09.25 01.09.25 TBC  

Historic

Name Member Type Appointed By Date of Appointment Resignation Date Pecuniary Interests
Morven Hudson Trustee Appointed by Trustees 01.09.24 31.08.25 No

Local Academy Committee Register of Declared Interests 2025

Only declared interests will be included in the table below. Local governors with no interests to declare are not listed. 

School Name Name of Business or Organisation Type of Interest Additional Information Date of Appointment Date of Cessation of Interest Relationships
Christ Church CE Primary School Saaiba Ahmed Friends of Christ Church, Walshaw Other governance role CCW PTFA Vice-Chair 1st April 2023    
Katherine Ashworth Elton High School Other governance role Governor 1st September 2019    
Jeni Whitham                                                                                                        None declared Husband is chair of governors at Tottington Primary School
Radcliffe Hall CE Methodist Primary School Helen Chatburn Bridge Methodist Church, Radcliffe Managing Trustee   9th July 2023 31st August 2025  
Revd Adele McKie Manchester Diocesan Board of Education Other governance role Elected clergy - Bolton Archdeaconry   31st December 2024  
Shirley Thornton Radcliffe Primary School Other governance role Chair of governors 1st September 2022 1st September 2026  
St John's CE Primary School Revd Adele McKie Manchester Diocesan Board of Education Other governance role Elected clergy - Bolton Archdeaconry   31st December 2024  
St Stephen's CE Primary School Chrissy Howard Coach Consultancy Ltd Business or finance interests Owner 7th November 2024    
Birkenhead School Other governance role Independent sector 1st September 2024    
Sarah Howard Bury Grammar School Employment   1st September 2009