Governance

SEN and Pupil Premium Link Governor

Chartered Engineer with a career in Oil & Gas exploration. Semi-retired but running a small risk engineering consultancy servicing Lloyd’s Insurance Market for major energy risks. As a past Project Director for BP, I have experience of major capital projects and managing large technical teams. During my time in BP Exploration, I was responsible for Engineering graduate recruitment and the career development of the company’s Engineering staff.

I have been Chair of Autism East Midlands for many years and actively involved in its development of Sutherland House School for children on the autistic spectrum.

Teaching School Alliance and SCITT Link Governor

Dr Ruth Ayres has been a governor at Landau Forte College Derby since May 2011 and Chair of its Education Committee from 2016.

Ruth is Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor (Teaching, Learning & Academic Governance) at the University of Derby. Prior to this, Ruth was Dean of Learning Enhancement & Innovation at the University of Derby, where she led learning & teaching, technology-enhanced learning, quality assurance & enhancement and library & learner support across the University.

Ruth has always worked in Universities, initially as a Lecturer and Senior Lecturer in Biological Sciences, before moving into senior, strategic leadership and management posts. In her current and former posts, Ruth has been responsible for leading a number of institutional transformational change projects which have enhanced and innovated learning, teaching and the student experience.

Governor

Throughout my career history, I have significant experience of working with young adults in education. I have worked within schools across Derby as a supply teacher and I have been responsible for developing academic programmes for 16 to 25 years olds mainly in private organisations. In addition, I was a parent governor in a Primary school where we achieved an award that few schools in Derbyshire had attained at the time. We were awarded the ‘Derbyshire Personalised Learning Award’.

Therefore, as a governor, I will contribute my skills, experience and passion to sustain the current College Ethos which is to “inspire, engage and challenge all our young people to be the best they can be.” Lastly, in my role as a governor, I will work with the Governing Body to continue to raise standards and help make important decisions to progress the school.

Performance Data and Performance Management Link Governor

I became a Governor at Landau Forte College Derby in 2001.

The majority of my professional career has been in Human Resources at Rolls-Royce but if you go back far enough I am by education an engineer. My involvement in the education sector started in the late 1990s when I was the Company Head of Graduate and Apprentice Development. The role included responsibility for looking at the future supply of scientists and engineers. I later moved to be the HR Director responsible for the whole of the engineering function across Rolls-Royce focusing on career and skills development. I am now the HR Director for the Nuclear business within Rolls-Royce, an industry sector with a very strong reliance on the skills pipeline. There is, of course, a lot more to education than the STEM pipeline but it was this aspect that first brought me into contact with schools and is still important to me.

I have two daughters in secondary education – neither of whom has the slightest interest in wanting to be an engineer!

Governor

I was appointed as a parent governor in June 2014, prior to my election in 2018 as a member of the governing body. Prior to joining the governance team at Derby Landau Forte Academy, I operated as a parent governor, for a number of years, in a large secondary school within Derby City. During my tenure, I was elected as the parent governor’s representative on Derby City Council Children and Young People Commission, where I worked with elected councillors and other stakeholders to shape the education strategy within the City.

I have worked in the education and learning field for several years, where I have had the privilege of making significant contributions to the educational aspirations and achievement of students from diverse backgrounds.

My involvement with Derby Landau Forte Academy had proved extremely gratifying, largely due to the fact that Academy is committed to ensuring that all students are empowered to maximise their potential. The year on year improvement in the educational attainment of all students substantiate the fact that the Academy is achieving the best possible outcomes for all its students. It is a real privilege to work with both governors, staff and students to ensure the Academy maintain education excellence within the City of Derby.

Safeguarding Link Governor

I have been a governor at Landau Forte College Derby since June 2016 and am the Safeguarding Governor. I have lived in Derby for over 30 years and was a Paediatrician at the Derbyshire Childrens’ Hospital until recent retirement. I have always been interested in education and have been a governor of several schools in the area, joining Landau because of its outstanding quality, which acts as a beacon for other Derby schools.

Governor

Retired from a PLC industrial manufacturing company. I have experience in investment, capital and restructuring decisions, while also being involved in multiple businesses and locations that were expected to deliver high-performance service levels. Managing large numbers of employees and developing team skills while achieving business goals was key in challenging circumstances.

I am also a governor of an Independent school and trustee of other charities and a pension fund. A Board member of Landau Forte Charitable Trust and Chairman of the Finance & General Purposes Committee.

Governor

Governor appointment in June 2018, to start in the new academic year 2018-19.

I applied for a governor position just as my daughter was coming to the end of a very successful Year 7, at a school she adores! Therefore, I felt that I had enough interest (and spare time) to offer practical support to the College in some way, which happened to coincide with the website advertising for governor applications. However, getting involved with the secondary education system is very new to me and I anticipate a steep learning curve.

Health and Safety Link Governor

I am a Civil Engineering Technician and in my spare time I am Chairman of the local Royal British Legion Club, I also enjoy cycling, walking and playing golf. I am married and my wife and I have a daughter Emma who is currently in Year 11 at Landau Forte College Derby.

I first became a School Governor of Ravensdale Junior School, Mickleover, in 2010 when Emma was in Year 3. When she progressed to the College in Year 7, the College advertised for Parent Governors and I applied; I was appointed Parent Governor in 2014 and then Governor in 2018 at the end of my 4-year term of office.

I think it very important that all children be given the opportunity to achieve their maximum potential with access to an excellent education and, working alongside the Senior Leadership Team at the College, I think that's what we do.

Governor

Graham joined as a Governor of Landau Forte College Derby in April 2003. He has a great interest in improving educational standards.

Graham is a past Chairman of Governors Derby High School for 20 Years (Governor for 25 years) and a retired Chartered Accountant having been Chairman of a Quoted Pubic Company.

He received an MBE for services to Education and the Community in Derbyshire.

Graham is one of HM’s Deputy Lieutenants for Derbyshire and a past High Sheriff of Derbyshire.