Multi Academy Trust | Rainhill High School

Multi Academy Trust

Rainhill High School is the lead school in Stephenson Multi Academy Trust.

  • Setting the direction.
  • Holding the headteacher to account.
  • Ensuring financial probity.

As charity trustees, they must also ensure that they are complying with charity law requirements. Academy trusts are charitable companies and the trustees are company directors and must comply with company law requirements.

For any MAT queries, please contact Mrs Kelley Black, Clerk to the Trustees.

Stephenson MAT Members

Steve Anderson

Member

Start date – 10 December 2019

Meeting Attendance for 21-22 - N/A

Work Title / Company:

Talent Manager - The Baird Group

"I have been connected with the school for over 20 years with both my children being former students. I started in 1998 as a Governor and became Chair of Governors in 2010 moving to Chair of Trustees when the school moved to becoming a Multi Academy Trust. My ethos is a simple one, to provide the best standard of education to every child that passes through our care, ensuring the Trust delivers the highest quality of education to all. We must always aim to make a positive difference for every child."

John Boyer

Member and Trustee

Start date - 3 February 2021
End date – 2 February 2025

Appointed by Members

Meeting Attendance for 22-23 - 100%

Interest declared - None

Work Title/Company: Retired Chartered Electrical Engineer

"I was originally invited to join the Governors by David Aitken the previous Head Master, as at the time Rainhill High School was considering becoming an Engineering Specialist College. It was and still is a great privilege and honour to be a Trustee of this school. Most of my family have attended Rainhill High or Huyton Secondary, the original school, and my father also taught here for many years. Fundamentally though, it’s great to give something back to a School that provided a fantastic education to me, my son Mark and my daughter Rachel. As a Trustee, it’s important to be a critical friend and remain objective. This ensures that emotion does not play a part in ensuring that the environment and resources provide a 1st class educational experience to all who attend, in line with agreed budgets. It’s great to be part of the Board of Trustees working with the team at Rainhill High in dealing with the continual changes and challenges education faces today. It’s also great to bring commercial and business experience back to the School that provided such a sound footing. In one way or another I’ve been involved with the School now for over 40 years and I have thoroughly enjoyed sharing in the success of the staff and students every academic year. The presentations, shows and award events continually demonstrate what a great place Stephenson Multi Academy Trust actually is."

Gary Charlton

Member

Start date – 10 December 2019

Meeting Attendance for 21-22 - N/A

Work Title / Company : Chairperson of St.Helens Chamber of Commerce / Retired Pilkington Operations Director.

"I retired from Pilkington following a long career. Originally starting as a mechanical engineering apprentice in St.Helens. I attended the University of Liverpool where I gained a 1st Class Honours Degree in Mechanical Engineering and later the University of Lancaster for a Masters in Business Administration (MBA). I have help many senior roles in Pilkington in Engineering, Production & General Management and prior to retirement a Strategic Directors role. I have also experienced working not only in the UK but around Europe and six years in North America.

Since 2012 I have been a board member of the St.Helens Chamber of Commerce and in 2019 became the Chairperson. I find being involved with this charity extremely rewarding due to assisting many young people every year take their first steps in employment, normally through apprenticeships. We also assist new business start-ups, offer training to Chamber members and general networking between established businesses throughout the St.Helens Borough.

In my role as a Member of the MAT I hope to provide a perspective from my private sector industrial experience and as a potential future employer. In addition to my extensive experience with apprenticeships."

Stephenson MAT Trustees

David Boyer

Chair of Trustees

Start date – 1 March 2017
End date – 1 March 2025

Appointed by Members

Meeting Attendance for 22-23 100%

Interest declared

Work Title/Company:

Assistant Director for Transport, Environmental and
Operational Services Warrington Borough Council

"I attended Rainhill High School from 1976 to 1983 and received an excellent education. I became a Governor to put something back into the school I received so much from. I passionately believe in comprehensive education and the right of every child to have access to a good / outstanding school. My two children attend the school."

Colette Hunt (MCIPD)

Trustee (Vice Chair)

Start date – 17 May 2021
End date – 16 May 2025

Appointed by Members

Interests Declared - None

Meeting Attendance 22-23 50%

Work Title/Company:

HR Business Partner (Medical Workforce), St Helens & Knowsley Hospitals Trust

"I am extremely excited and proud to join Rainhill High as a Trustee and plan to fully utilise and share my wealth of experience, skills and knowledge as a HR Professional (within the NHS) in supporting the school strive to achieve its long term vision and goals.

If my input and contribution can make a small difference to the lives and education of young people, staff, parents and the local community then that’s a success!"


Maureen Mellor

Trustee (stepped down as a Member on 14th December 2023)

Start Date - 15th December 2023 End Date - 15th December 2027

Appointed by Members

Meeting Attendance for 22-23 - N/A

Interest declared - None

Work Title/Company:
Retired Principal of a College of Further Education

"I have been involved with Rainhill High School and Stephenson Academy for more than ten years. I have served as a Governor and as a Trustee and a Member. I have now returned to the Board of Trustees. I am proud and privileged to have been involved with the school over this period. I believe passionately that all children should be able to attend a good local school and effective governance helps schools achieve this."

Lee Townson

Trustee (Link Governor)

Start date – 25 April 2023
End date – 25 April 2027

Appointed by Members

Meeting Attendance for 22-23 - N/A

Interest declared - None

Work Title/Company:

Retired Police Officer

As Chair of Governors at Rainhill High, I have joined the Trust Board as the Link Governor.

"I am a retired Police Officer with 26 years service having worked in intelligence and investigations for the bulk of my career. My key skill areas are in communication, leadership, relationship development/management, planning and organising, process improvement and training and mentoring.

I’m excited and positive about the Schools future, look forward to the challenges ahead and being a part of an already successful School team in its pursuit of excellence."

Sophie Sudworth

Trustee

Start Date: 01.09.23 End Date: 01.09.27

Appointed by Members

Interest Declared

Meeting Attendance for 22-23 - NA

Work Title/Company:
Design Engineer, SP Energy Networks.

"As a recent engineering graduate progressing through my early career, I am keen to support the school in preparing pupils for a bright future. It is great for me to have an involvement in the local community where I live and work.

I am acting as a link Governor as I continue to support the LGB after my election to the Trustee Board."

Tracey Carter

Trustee

Start Date - 1st Sep 23 End Date - 1st Sep 27

Appointed by Members

Interests Declared - None

Meeting Attendance for 22-23 - N/A

Work Title/ Company:

Senior case Manager, ESFA

I am currently working for the Education & Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) in the Academies & Maintained School Group (AMSG) as a Senior Case Manager. My day to day work involves liaising with Trusts and Academies and dealing with operational issues that may arise. Currently in my team at the ESFA I am one of the Safeguarding Lead Officers for the Lancs & West Yorkshire geographical area. I am the national lead for one of the largest Trusts in the country and maintain operational oversight with both strategic and operational issues throughout their estate of Academies.

Previously I had 20 years experience in the Local Authority field, with my most recent post there working closely and collaboratively with schools in the St Helens LA area. I have several years experience in governance, having operated both as a Governor in a maintained primary school in St Helens and as a Governor at a special school.”

Laura McAllister

Trustee

Start Date - 1st Sep 22 End Date - 1st Sep 26

Appointed by Members

Interests Declared - None

Meeting Attendance for 22-23 - 80%

Work Title/ Company:

Divisional Finance Manager, Countryside Properties UK

"I am a chartered accountant and have worked within chemical manufacturing and now property development.

I believe that every young person should have access to excellent education but also understand the challenges faced within the sector in delivering that education.

I hope that using the skills I have developed within finance that I can support in overcoming the challenges and delivering the best possible education for the young people at Rainhill High School."

Trustee Board meeting minutes, reports and other documents are available on request.

Wesley Richardson

Trustee

RESIGNED - 30/01/2024

Start date – 17 May 2021
End date – 16 May 2025

Appointed by Members

Interests Declared - None

Meeting Attendance for 22-23 - 66%

Work Title/Company:

Cyber Security Major Incident Professional - England and Wales Police Force

"I have a keen interest in Cyber Security and IT and enjoy keeping fit amongst friends either on my road bike, running or hiking. I have reached the summit of all the highest peaks within the UK, all for charity, and enjoy spending time with family and friends and across the great outdoors.

I am an avid volunteer and enjoy helping people, friends and family with any events or projects and enjoy Formula 1 and a number of other sports.

I am responsible for leading a team of Incident Managers and Incident Response & Threat Intelligence Analysts in order to provide a proactive and reactive Cyber Security protection service for all Police forces who reside within England and Wales.

I became a trustee in order to further contribute to my local community and help the school develop the delivery of education to our children and young adults. With a background within IT and Cyber Security, I hope to help steer the school and students to better prepare for Cyber Security in the 21st century and develop the awareness of personal and organisational data security in addition to helping the school utilise modern IT to deliver the best possible education overall."

Professor Michael Thomas

Trustee

RESIGNED - 06/06/2023

No Interest declared

Start date – 17 May 2021
End date – 16 May 2025

Meeting Attendance for 21-22 - 66.6%

Work Title/Company:
Professor of Education and Chair of the Centre for Educational Research (CERES) at Liverpool John Moores University

"I became a Trustee because I'm passionate about helping to raise the aspirations of young people so that they can realise their full potential, whether that's overcoming challenges to study in Higher Education and/or contributing to their local community. I'm motivated by a vision of education that is socially just, and aims to develop each student's talents and creativity."