The Cambridge Park Academy Governing Body

Governor Roles Overview

The governing body has a range of duties and powers and a general responsibility for the conduct of the school with a view to promoting high standards of educational achievement.

Its responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• setting targets for pupil achievement
• managing the school’s finances
• making sure the curriculum is balanced and broadly based
• appointing staff
• reviewing staff performance and pay

Mrs F Headridge - Co-opted Chair of Governors

I have worked in education since 2003 most notably in the areas of widening participation and careers guidance.  I have been a Careers hub Lead for the last 3 years – until September 2021, I covered the Humber region and now I cover the Hull and East Riding LEP region.  I have a keen interest in supporting schools and colleges to get the best possible careers support for their young people and engaging employers with schools and colleges to help ensure young people enter the world of work with the skills and knowledge they need to be successful in their chosen career path – whatever that may be.

Having grown up in the area (only leaving for university) I value all the opportunities that exist for young people in North East Lincolnshire and understand they are key for future growth and economic success.  I have worked with Cambridge park Academy previously and look forward to continuing this as a governor.

I am incredibly proud to take on this new role as Principal at CPA and feel privileged to be a part of such a unique and exciting school community!

I have worked across many sectors prior to my time in education but have enjoyed nearly two decades working in schools across the North of England. 

During my time in schools, I have gained extensive experience of senior leadership and school improvement within a large number of settings across the Yorkshire and Humber regions. I have served as an executive headteacher within both mainstream and special school settings and also as a national system leader within a large multi-academy trust. I have represented both Primary and Secondary schools as part of governing bodies and sat on a number of local authority and trust wide boards.

I believe that education should be viewed as a progressive learning journey that allows our pupils to experience the wider world around them whilst building knowledge, skills, confidence and independence.

I very much look forward to meeting with you all and working together to build the very best futures for our school community.

Mr S Kernan - Principal

I am incredibly proud to take on this new role as Principal at CPA and feel privileged to be a part of such a unique and exciting school community!

I have worked across many sectors prior to my time in education but have enjoyed nearly two decades working in schools across the North of England. 

During my time in schools, I have gained extensive experience of senior leadership and school improvement within a large number of settings across the Yorkshire and Humber regions. I have served as an executive headteacher within both mainstream and special school settings and also as a national system leader within a large multi-academy trust. I have represented both Primary and Secondary schools as part of governing bodies and sat on a number of local authority and trust wide boards.

I believe that education should be viewed as a progressive learning journey that allows our pupils to experience the wider world around them whilst building knowledge, skills, confidence and independence.

I very much look forward to meeting with you all and working together to build the very best futures for our school community.

Miss V McGuire - Staff Governor

I have been employed at the academy for nearly 10 years. Two years ago I qualified as a teacher and became the teacher in Purple Class. Since being employed in Purple Class I have taken great pride in developing a strong team ethos with the children being the most important part of our growth and development. Most recently I was able to make a contribution to the development of the new classroom and I enjoyed being part of a working party for the transformation of the primary playground. My understanding of becoming a school governor is that it gives me the opportunity to help develop the academy and make a positive contribution to the children's education. I believe I have the drive and ambition to represent the staff at the academy and use my experience to positively contribute to the exciting future of the academy.

Dr L Pickerell - Co-opted Designated Safeguarding Governor

I am a lecturer in the school of psychology at the University of Lincoln, specialising in children and young people’s wellbeing. During my PhD research I worked with a number of schools to implement mindfulness-based interventions to improve emotion awareness and emotion management. I also have a research interest in the impact of education on the wellbeing of students and staff. I have a personal and professional drive to provide a caring and supportive education experience for children and young people.  

I feel that education should be about the holistic development of pupils and should help them thrive regardless of their academic abilities. I am privileged to contribute to a school that has a similar ethos. I believe that my knowledge and experience will enable me to provide support and advice to Cambridge Park Academy and make a positive contribution to the governing body.

Mrs K Finney - Co-opted Governor

My name is Kate Finney and I am the Headteacher of a local primary school in Cleethorpes. I have worked in education for nearly 15 years, committed to providing the very best educational opportunities for all. I believe that children are at the heart of everything we do as educators, and pride myself on the nurturing and supportive relationships I form with both pupils and staff alike.

I am delighted to be a governor at CPA and look forward to working in collaboration with the school.

Ms Clark - Co-opted Parent Governor

I have worked in education for over twenty-five years. I started out teaching Early Years then went to work for the Local Authority as a Mathematics Consultant. This involved introducing the National Numeracy Strategy to the schools in our area, supporting teachers in their teaching of maths and working alongside many different schools and professionals. From there I became a deputy Head teacher and SENCo for a local primary school and spent many wonderful years supporting lots of fabulous children & their families on their journey through education.

I now have two great children of my own, both in secondary education. My eldest is a talented musician and avid collector of vinyl and my youngest attends Cambridge Park. Since he started here I have been amazed in the changes and growth he has gone through thanks to the fantastic work of all the staff. As a Governor, I am so proud to be part of the Cambridge Park family and contribute to the amazing work they are doing on a daily basis.

Mrs H Read - Parent Governor

I have worked in health and social care for the last 20 years in different roles supporting individuals with a variety of complex needs. 

I am now a registered Mental Health Nurse working in older people's services. 

A passion of mine is supporting and equipping people with skills to manage their mental health and live fulling lives. 

I have two children, one entering GCSEs this year in a mainstream setting and my youngest attends Cambridge Park. She has been a pupil at the school for the last 2 years and since her enrollment she has flourished. The fantastic work the school does is the reason I applied for the opportunity to become a parent governor and to give something back to the school.

I hope to support the school to make positive choices for our children and use my skills as a Mental Health Nurse to encourage holistic care so our children can reach their full potential. 

Mr S Hunter - Staff Governor

I have been a teacher at the Cambridge Park Academy since June 2012, when I started as a NQT. I immediately knew that this is somewhere that I had to work.  During my time at the academy I have fulfilled various different roles and supported children across the school of different ages and needs. I am passionate about ensuring  that the children here receive the best possible offer to enable them to reach their potential. Most recently I took on the role as Phase leader. This has enabled me the opportunity to support an increasing number of staff and children across the academy. I believe that by becoming  member of the governing body of the school,  it will enhance this reach further. My aim is positively impact the lives of the children and the families that we support through this role. I am excited to support the governors to develop the academy and make positive contributions to the education of all of the students. 

I’ve been a full time mum for the past eleven years, prior to this I worked in the hospitality industry. 

From the “shop floor” I progressed up to manager and then into HR where I became a trainer and NVQ assessor, an area I definitely found a passion for, I feel there is nothing more rewarding than supporting someone to achieve the goals within their career.

I have two children, my eldest has just moved to secondary school and my youngest attends CPA. 

For me CPA is not just a school, the staff have had a huge impact on our lives supporting us as a family and of course our son more than they realise. 

To be able to give something back by becoming a parent governor means a lot. 

Governors Latest Meetings and Appointments