Trustees are similar to Directors of a Company and monitor the work of the Chief Executive Headteacher and Leadership team. The Board establishes an overall framework for the governance of the Academy and determines membership, terms of reference and procedures of committees and other groups. It receives reports including policies from its committees for ratification. It monitors the activities of the committees through minutes of their meetings. The Board may from time to time establish working groups to perform specific tasks over a limited timescale.  Full Board meetings take place each half-term. 

There are five committees as follows: 

1. Audit and Finance Committee
2. Standards and Scrutiny Committee
3. Admissions Committee
4. Premises/Health & Safety Committee
5. Personnel Committee

 Our Trustees do not have any pecuniary interests related to school affairs.  

Paul Ginnings - chair of trustees, chartered accountant (retired)

                                                                                                                                                                          

Paul qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1970 and became a partner in an accounting practice in 1980 which later became part of Deloitte - one of the largest international accounting and consulting practices.

He remained in partnership in Deloitte until retirement in 2001. During this time, he specialised in providing audit and advisory services to the voluntary and not-for-profit sectors, including charities, housing associations, and universities. He lectured on financial and accounting subjects and is the author of a book on the Audit of Housing Associations.

Since retirement, Paul has assisted several charities, both in an advisory capacity and by serving on the board. These volunteer positions have included chairing the Fullabrook Wind Farm CIC and acting as a volunteer advisor with Citizens Advice in Ilfracombe.

He is married to Gill, they have three married daughters and six grandchildren, two of whom attended Pilton Bluecoat school. Paul and Gill are members of South Street Chapel, Braunton, and his current interests include rugby - particularly the Exeter Chiefs, and vintage cars - particularly Lagondas.

PENNY WIGNALL - VICE CHAIR, PHARMACEUTICAL SALES DIRECTOR (RETIRED)

Penny became a governor of Umberleigh school 10 years ago, moving to the chair of the federation between Umberleigh and Brayford schools then chair of TEAM MAT in October 2015. Penny then stood down as chair allowing fresh blood to take over in 2018.

Penny is retired, her previous career was in the Pharmaceutical industry in sales and marketing. She was sales Director for the UK sales division then became an internal consultant to their European and Middle Eastern affiliates. This role also had management responsibility over the European Learning and Development departments. 

Penny works closely with the Brayford and Umberleigh Local Governing Body and admissions portfolio group. She is also a member of the personnel portfolio group and standards and scrutiny.  Penny became a governor because she believes that all children deserve the best education we can give them and that they should enjoy every minute of it. Currently, Penny has three Grandchildren attending Umberleigh Academy.

 

Caroline Preston

Caroline is a teacher and artist working with schools, families, and community groups of all ages. She has a PGCE in Secondary Art and Design from the Institute of Education, and a BA in Fine Art. Caroline has pursued three further qualifications in relation to SEND support, and has successfully become a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts for her education work in her role as Education Leader with Beaford Arts where she has worked since 2008. 

Caroline has taught KS2-KS4 children in England and Japan, workshops and courses for adult education, and has worked as a GCE moderator for Pearson. She balances her career with a love of creativity and practises the mindful art of origami. As a professional artist she exhibits her framed work in London and New York every year, in permanent displays on Caribbean Cruise ships, and her work has featured with HSBC, The Bank of England, Vogue, and The Saturday Show on Channel 4 TV to name a few notable highlights.

Caroline has a passion for life long learning, firmly believes in the ethos of TEAM, is a parent of two children who have attended schools within the Multi-Academy Trust Academy.

 

SUSIE KEVERN - ACCOUNTANT

Susie became involved with High Bickington school as a governor when her eldest child started in reception there in 2011. She became a Trustee when High Bickington joined the Multi Academy Trust and although both her children have now left the school she continues to be a Trustee and works closely with the Local Governing Body.

She runs her own business as a Chartered Management Accountant helping small businesses in north Devon manage their finances and this helps her support the Trustees as a member of the Finance Committee.

Her whole family are keen horse riders (her daughter was a founding member of the TEAM Academy show jumping team) and spend their free time enjoying the North Devon countryside.   

PHILIPPA SUE WELLS

Sue is now retired, prior to this she worked for 20 years as a clinician and manager in the NHS, parenthood followed, and then 20 years as a counsellor in a variety of settings.

Sue is a firm believer in lifelong learning, demonstrated by her completion of a Masters degree in 2019. The roots of a desire for learning are, she believes, laid in our schools.

Sue became a governor and Trustee to oversee the strategies that will allow all our children to reach their potential, love learning and support the wellbeing of all within TEAM's schools.

Caoimhe Pettingell

Caoimhe has been working in secondary schools since 2004, and as a school leader, and designated safeguarding lead, for six years. Caoimhe believes passionately in lifelong learning, and completed a Masters in Education in 2019, and the National Professional Qualification in Headship in 2022. Caoimhe is a member of the Standards and Scrutiny committee.

Caoimhe has two school-aged children, and enjoys spending time with her family in the beautiful North Devon countryside.

 

Éadaoin Isaacs

Éadaoin was born and raised in Dublin, Ireland and, towards the end of her schooling, developed an intense interest in radiotherapy. This led to her obtaining her undergraduate degree, BSc Therapeutic Radiography (Hons) at Trinity College, Dublin in June 2007. She gained experience as a Radiation Therapist in both the treatment and pre-treatment areas of the radiotherapy service in Ireland, later moving to Essex, England. In 2011, she moved into a Clinical Dosimetrist position within the treatment planning team. Throughout her time in this role, Éadaoin consolidated her knowledge in treatment planning, introduced and established a new clinical trials role, lead on various technique and service developments, and completed her MSc in Radiotherapy Planning with Sheffield Hallum University in September 2018. She currently leads the treatment planning team at the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital.

She has two children of primary school age and is passionate about providing the best educational opportunities to all the children within the TEAM Multi-Academy Trust. A firm believer in consistently high standards and accountability, she is very keen to make a difference. Éadaoin also enjoys getting involved within her local community and exploring the North Devon coast.

SUSANNE KIFF

Susanne is a Deputy Trust Leader in a Multi Academy Trust with 19 schools, with children from 9 months of age to 18 years of age in our care. In her role, she has responsibility for all the professional services functions within the Trust, including finance, people, digital, estates, compliance and GDPR.

Susanne has worked in education for 15 years and has a vast experience, including directly managing the building and opening of two new schools.

Prior to education, Susanne's background was within finance, having previously worked for the NHS in management accounts, as well as running her own accounts business.

Susanne is the Chief Financial Officer for her Trust and has the relevant qualifications needed for this role. She has also completed an Executive Master of Business Administration.

Susanne is from Oxfordshire originally and relocated to Devon 16 years ago, at that time living near Holsworthy. She now lives nearer to Exeter.

Susanne is passionate about children having an education that enables them to succeed and open opportunities to them to live the life they wish to follow.

Susanne feels that her experiences and skills will enable her to offer suitable challenge and support to TEAM multi-academy trust, essentially around the operational functions of the organisation. But she also hopes to learn more about the educational aspects of the Trust and develop my knowledge and understanding, so that she can offer support and challenge in this area also.

Paper copies of minutes from trustees meetings are available on request. Please e-mail the clerk: clerk@team-mat.org.uk.