Governance

The Governing Body

Victoria Primary Academy is part of the Wellspring Academy Trust and is a federated governing body with our sister school Ebor Gardens Academy, within Leeds.

A single governing body is responsible for both schools with three key roles:

  • in consultation with the Trust, we decide the vision, ethos and strategic direction of our schools;
  • we hold the Principals and senior staff to account for the educational performance of the schools and their pupils;
  • we oversee the financial performance of the schools and make sure that money is well spent.

We formed a new Local Governing Body in October 2020 and have a compliment of governors who come from all walks of life within and beyond the local community in Leeds. These governors bring a wide skillset to the LGB which helps support the school from the quality of education to the business and financial aspects of school management. The details of the current members of the LGB are below.

Our Governors have a wide range of backgrounds, skills and experience which they bring to this important role, and meet at least every half term to look at all aspects of the life and work of the schools.  Many of the Governors are linked with specific aspects of the life of the schools and make regular reports to the governing body.

Meet the Team:

 Michael Sanderson – Trust Appointed Governor – Chair of Governors
Term: 26.06.23 – 26.06.27
Links: Leadership and Management
Declarations of Interest: 

Director Forge Community Partnership; community partnership; since (1999), Director and Trustee Hoyland Common Action Group; community organisation; (2004), Director Anvil Community CIC; community organisation; (2013), Director  Forge Parkside Centre (previously Rockingham Centre Limited); community organisation; (2017), Director Trust Schools Trust (2019), Director Spring Ahead CIC (2017), Trustee Various levels of the Methodist Church (1980), Chair of Governors at Barnsley Primary Partnership (academies within Wellspring MAT)

Wife – Rev Eileen Sanderson:

Director of Forge Community Partnership (2023), Director of Forge Community Child Care CIC (2013), Governor at Springwell Learning Community and Greenacre School (both academies within Wellspring MAT)

Bio: Michael has served on various governing bodies in Barnsley, and helped form the Barnsley Governors Association. He was a National Leader of Governance. Having trained as a statistician, Michael worked for nearly 40 years in local government, in a wide range of roles. m.sanderson@wellspringacademies.org.uk
Jessica Jenkins – Ex Officio – Executive Principal
Term of Office: n/a
Links: n/a
Declarations of Interest: None
Bio: Jessica Jenkins is the Executive Principal of the Oakwell Rise and Victoria Primary Academy
Natalie Wathen – Ex Officio – Principal (Ebor Gardens Primary Academy)
Term of Office: n/a
Links: n/a
Declarations of Interest: None
Bio: Natalie Wathen is the principal of Ebor Gardens Primary Academy.
Mark Wood – Ex Officio
Term of Office: n/a
Links: n/a
Declarations of Interest: None
Bio: Mark Wood is the Chief Finance Officer for Wellspring Academy Trust.
Jade Milne – Staff Governor
Term: 21st October 2024 – 21st October 2028
Bio: Hey, my name is Jade Milne (Staff Governor) and I am a Cover Supervisor in Year 3/4 and support SEN/SEMH children. I am from East Leeds and really enjoy giving back to the community. I have worked at Ebor Gardens for one year and have previously worked in other Primary School settings in the area for over 10 years.
Georgina Shipp 
Term of Office: 15.07.24 – 15.07.28
Links: SEND & Behaviour
Declarations of Interest: None
Bio:  Georgina has recently joined the Wellspring family as Assistant Principal and SENDCO at one of our partnership schools, Oakwell Rise. She has a passion for supporting pupils with additional needs and is keen to share her knowledge and expertise across both Victoria and Ebor Gardens
Bhavna Gupta – Trust Appointed Governor
Term of Office: 16/1/23 – 16/1/27
Links: TBC
Declarations of Interest:
Leeds City College, Safeguarding Team Leader (Start Date 2019)
Bio: to follow
Ben Leach – Trust Appointed Governor
Term of Office: 16th October 2023 – 16th October 2027
Links: Finance
Declarations of Interest: Nationwide Building Society, Deputy Director Mortgages for over 55’s, (creased 26th May 2023)

Bio: In my professional life, I’ve worked in financial services for over 17 years, holding various advice and headship positions. I currently work for the UK’s largest mortgage broker network as a business consultant.  In my personal life, I live with my partner Kelly and step daughter Lilly. We all love to travel, explore and try the local food, although it’s hard to keep Lil away from Carbonara! I’m incredibly passionate about how we provide the most engaging and effective education experience for our students and how we maximise the resources available to deliver on that goal. 
Philip Rzonca- Trust Appointed Governor
Term of Office: 4th March 2023 – 4th March 2028
Links: TBC
Declarations of Interest:
Director, Sunnyside Early Years and Childcare LTD 6 Nov 2019
Bio: to follow
Muhammed Majid Aamir (Parent Governor)
Term of Office: 17.10.22 – 17.04.26
Links: TBC
Declarations of Interest:
NHS England, Lead Data Manager
Bio: to follow
Kathy Thompson (Staff Governor)
Term of Office: 15.07.2024-15.07.2028
Links: TBC
Bio: to follow

Key Information: 

Key Contacts

Please address all correspondence to the Chair of Governors Mr Michael Sanderson, Wellspring Academy Trust, Digital Media Centre, County Way, Barnsley, South Yorkshire S70 2JW

Interested in Becoming A Governor?

If you are looking for information regarding joining the Governing Body or for Local Governing Body minutes, please contact the Clerk to the Governing Body Megan Cotney by emailing m.cotney@wellspringacademies.org.uk

Trustee Information

For information on trustees for Wellspring Academy Trust, please visit the website below:

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