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Our Governing Body

Governing Body

Our Role

As part of Excel Learning Trust’s governance structures, our trust schools have Local Governing Boards, which are committees of the Trust Board. Our LGBs and governors play an important role by providing support and challenge to our schools, as well as holding a shared vision which is clear, understood and well communicated to all stakeholders and reflects the fundamental values and objectives of the Trust. Our governors come from a variety of backgrounds and are advocates for the school and for the Trust.

For further information regarding the governance of our Trust and the roles and responsibilities of governors, trustees and members, please see our Scheme of Delegation, available on our website here.

The Chair of Governors can be contacted via the school (see Contact Us).

Our Governors

All General governors are appointed by Excel Learning Trust.

Parent governors are elected via a parental ballot.

Staff governors are elected via a staff ballot.

Lee Probert - Chair

Position/category

General

Term of office

12/05/2022 – 11/05/2026

Biography

I have been Chief Executive and Principal of York College since June 2019.Β  Prior to this role I was Principal at City of Bristol College and held a range of senior roles at the Hull College Group until December 2015.Β  In addition to senior roles in further education colleges I have worked in the funding council for colleges and primary education.

Being Chief Executive and Principal of York College is a prestigious role and one which I hold with pride. York College is a hugely successful college and impacts positively on the lives of many thousands of students each year.Β  Our core values of Success, Ambition, Respect and Care permeate what we do and how we work.Β  I am fortunate to work with excellent colleagues and have the privilege of sharing in our students’ successes.

Outside of York College I am a member of the Constellation Multi-Academy Trust (East Yorkshire), Chair of Millthorpe Secondary School’s Local Governing Body, Chair of the York Skills and Employment Board, and a member of the CBI’s Employment and Skills Board.

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Mr Trevor Charlton - Vice Chair

Position/category

General

Term of office

15/03/2020 – 14/03/2024

Biography

Trevor is a recently retired Manufacturing Executive, with global experience in the international Power Generation industry. He was born in York and is an ex-pupil of Nunthorpe Grammar School, the forerunner to Millthorpe. Trevor was an active governor of Peterborough Regional College during their transition to an independent corporation in the mid-nineties. He is passionate about finding the right career fit for students.

Mrs Kavina Rothenburg

Position: Acting Principal

Appointed:Β Ex Officio

Ms Janet Edgar

Position/category

GeneralΒ 

Term of office

18/10/2023 – 17/10/2027

Biography

Janet is an experienced governance professional who has worked in education throughout her
career, mostly in management positions in Higher Education, and more recently working with
schools as a Governance Advisor for City of York Council. She has a particular interest in literacy and
is Safeguarding Champion and a reading coach with Read Easy Leeds, a charity dedicated to teaching
adults to acquire basic reading skills. Other volunteering roles include being a
befriender/companion with Age UK and Marie Curie.

VacancyStaff Governor

VacancyParent Governor

VacancyParent Governor

Abigail Gaines

Position/Category:

Parent Governors

Term of office:

01/07/2024 – 30/06/2028

Abigail Gaines has a background in Secondary School and Sixth form leadership, and being part of School Improvement Teams. She was a school governor at Knavesmire Primary School for 10 years, opting to move to secondary school governance when her children did. Β  Abigail is the charity manager for the Friends of Rowntree Park, and is behind the β€˜Make Space for Girls’ York ProjectΒ that aims to reduce the drop off, compared to boys, of park and public space use as girls enter their teenage years.Β  Abigail is passionate about making sure education meets the needs of all learners, and that all students should hold high aspirations and be helped to meet their potential no matter their background or starting point.

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James Else

Position/Category:

Parent Governors

Term of office:

15/07/2024 – 14/07/2028

James is currently head of postgraduate programmes at an arts conservatoire, works in TV production and is an active composer. Β He has two children, one in primary school and one in secondary at Millthorpe. Β James is passionate about creating inclusive learning environments, the transformative power of the arts, promoting trauma-informed approaches to education and championing best practice in relation to special educational needs.
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Business interests

Register of Business Interests 2023-24

Interested in becoming a governor?

If you would like to be a parent governor, please contact us.

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Agendas and Minutes

Full Governing Body agendas and minutes are available below:Β 

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