Welcome from the Chair
The Isambard Kingdom Brunel Academy (IKB), local governance committee (LGC) is a committee of the Futura Learning Partnership with delegated responsibilities for IKB.
The UK’s engineering industry (and other STEM based industries) is facing a skills shortage of unprecedented levels and many see the root cause as the lack of awareness among children, and their parents, of the opportunities offered by a career in STEM. The industry is calling for greater support from schools to improve this situation and they believe that huge improvements would be possible if we were able to encourage more girls to embark on STEM based careers. The IKB Academy was established as a response to this underlying demand and our vision for IKB is:
“A school where the foundations of exceptional teaching and guidance, excellent facilities, an inspiring and motivating curriculum will develop within students: a love of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths, a love of learning, respect, kindness, and a sense of responsibility which will result in: resilient and confident young adults with exceptional qualifications, experiences and skills.”
By delivering this vision we will not only provide great opportunities for our students but also make a worthwhile contribution to the availability of suitably qualified students entering STEM based careers in future.
The LGC has a vital role in making sure the school continues to deliver against these founding principles. Looking forward, we will make sure that the school’s vision and ethos remains relevant to the times whilst continuing to build on the STEM curriculum and guiding our students towards the most appropriate career options for them. Hence, the LGC will always include members with experience of working in the STEM based industries along with Parent & Staff members and others as necessary to ensure a good mix of skills.
It is important to note that IKB is not a selective school and we seek to attract students of all abilities. So whether your child has ambitions of being a university professor or a tradesman they should both be encouraged to consider IKB as their school of choice. We want our students to be proud of having attended IKB Academy and we expect our students to make a positive impact on the world as they embark on their individual journeys through life.
The principle focus of the LGC is to make sure that the school provides a safe environment and the best education it possibly can for every student in the school. The LGC monitors the Academy's key performance indicators, particularly those related to student progress (which is not just about academic progress). When it is time for our students to leave school, we expect them to have the maturity and wider skills to underpin their STEM qualifications such that they have an advantage over their contemporaries as they compete to enter the world of work or embark on further study. We achieve this by working closely with the Headteacher and the Academy's senior leadership team to set plans which are aligned to this vision. Throughout the year, we monitor how well these plans are delivering and challenge and support the Headteacher in equal measure to ensure that every student is getting the best all-round education that the school can provide. Every year we seek to refine the plans based on experience with the aim of improving outcomes over the year before.
Students are our number one priority but our staff are vital in the delivery of this vision. The LGC is keen to make sure that IKB Academy is a good place to work where all staff feel valued and empowered to give their best in the interests of the students.
A vital aspect of IKB is its links to local STEM employers who provide a wide range of work placements and visiting speakers. This provides a combination of real life experience of the world of work and the opportunity to learn about a wide selection of potential career options.
We want parents and carers to feel that they are part of the school community and we would particularly encourage a positive engagement with your child’s education and welcome your wider input and involvement with the School.
Chris Trout
Chair of Governors (ctrout@ikbacademy.org.uk)
Our Governors
Jenny Baldwin: Community Governor
Term of office: 2/12/2021 - 1/12/2025
Lucy Brown
Term of office: 26/1/2023 - 25/1/2027
Pete Headeach: Head of School
Term of office: Ex Officio
Fraser Greenroyd: Community Governor
Term of office: 2/12/2021 - 1/12/2025
Mike Hall: Parent Governor and SEND Governor
Term of office: 27/6/2019 - 26/6/2023
Emma Johnson: Staff Governor
Term of office: 1/3/2023 - 28/2/2027
Ashlea Lane: Community Governor
Term of office: 2/12/2021 - 1/12/2025
Rebecca Parker: Joint Staff Governor
Term of office: 1/3/2023 - 28/2/2027
Bharath Ranganathan: Community Governor
Term of office: 2/12/2021 - 1/12/2025
Chris Trout: Chair of Governors, Curriculum Governor
Term of office: 1/9/2019 - 31/8/2023
Natasha Watson: Community Governor
Term of office: 2/12/2021 - 1/12/2025
Former members
Lisa Stone
Term of office: 26/1/2023 - 31/3/2023
Stuart Hill
Term of office: 1/1/23 to 20/6/23
More information
- Annual reports and financial statements
- Articles of association
- Governance
- Governor attendance 2022-23 (Pdf)
- Register of personal and business interests (Pdf)
- Scheme of delegation
- Terms of reference
If you require further information then please contact Chris Trout, Chair of Governors email: ctrout@ikbacademy.org.uk or Clerk to Governors email: clerktogovernors@ikbacademy..org.uk