As Chair of Governors at Da Vinci Academy, I am delighted to welcome you to our vibrant educational community. Our governing body is dedicated to fostering a collaborative environment where students, parents, staff, and the wider community work together to achieve the best possible outcomes for all.
In our role as a “critical friend,” we support the Trust by both supporting and holding the academy accountable for student outcomes and the quality of educational provision. We also play a key part in defining the strategic direction of the academy, ensuring that our students’ best interests are at the heart of every decision we make.
On a personal note, as someone who has spent nearly all of their life in Derby, who also attended a comprehensive school very similar to Da Vinci Academy, I understand the social challenges this area faces and the importance that a supportive and aspirational school environment is key to overcoming these challenges. I have worked in education for over 25 years, spanning both secondary and further education, and I am passionate about helping young people achieve their full potential.
At Da Vinci Academy, we believe passionately that education changes lives. Our mission is simple: we strive to provide our students access to the very best educational provision and, in turn, we expect our students to be the very best version of themselves.
We place significant importance on instilling our core values in all aspects of academy life. Respect fosters a culture of understanding and empathy, making students and staff feel safe and valued.
We look forward to working closely with all members of our community to ensure that every student at Da Vinci Academy thrives and achieves their full potential.
Best regards,
Tony McIlroy
Chair of Governors, Da Vinci Academy
[email protected]
The L.E.A.D. Academy Trust and board of trustees are the proprietors of the trust and help set the overarching vision and strategy for all the L.E.A.D. Academy Trust academies.
Each academy within the trust is governed by the L.E.A.D. Academy Trust board and members.
To help discharge these duties successfully, the Trust Board has delegated some of these responsibilities for governance to executive leaders and local academy governing bodies (AGBs) (see scheme of delegation for more information).
Our governance structure ensures that there are clear lines of accountability, overview, and scrutiny at three levels for each of the academies: These are:
Trustees’ and governors’ main responsibilities are the three core governance functions of:
More information about L.E.A.D. Academy Trust – Governance
The AGB meets formally three times each year (termly) and also meets informally each term through engagement meetings. These key documents set out the function and role of the AGB.
Da Vinci Academy has a committed team of governors who are actively involved in academy life. They successfully represent the local community and bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise from a variety of professional backgrounds. Governors include parent and staff representatives.
In accordance with the scheme of delegation, the AGB has delegated oversight for a range of key areas that include, the quality of education and standards, safeguarding, special educational needs and/or disabilities and vulnerable pupils.
In short, AGB’s are an integral part of the trust’s governance structure. They are the eyes and ears on the ground at academy level. The AGB supports the trust board by adhering to their core governance functions and by holding the academy to account for performance and development. In addition, they support academy leaders by acting as their ‘critical friend’.
The AGB meets formally three times a year (termly). They also meet informally each term through engagement meetings.
The Trust’s scheme of delegation, AGB terms of reference and articles of association can be accessed by clicking on the link(s) below. These key documents set out in more detail the function and role of the AGB.
Please find below details about this academy’s AGB membership, including the names and terms of appointment for each member.
| Name | Governor category | Appointed by | Date of appointment | Term of office | AGB Attendance: Academic Year 2023/24 |
| Jayne Scattergood | Headteacher | Ex Officio | 1-Jan-24 | n/a | 2/2 |
| Tony McIlroy | Community Governor (Chair) | Appointed by Trust | 05-mar-25 | 04-mar-29 | n/a |
| Daina Cummings | Parent Governor | Elected unopposed | 1-Sep-23 | 31-Aug-27 | 1/2 |
| Amber Hubbard | Parent Governor | Elected unopposed | 22-Nov-22 | 21-Nov-26 | 2/2 |
| Richard McKerron | Parent Governor | Elected unopposed | 15-Oct-24 | 14-Oct-28 | n/a |
| Nick Clark | Community Governor (Vice Chair) | MAT Board | 5/1/2017 Reappointed 30 April 2021 |
29-Apr-25 | 2/2 |
| Jas Hundal | Community Governor | Appointed by Trust | 24-Mar-22 | 4 years | 0/2 |
| Jenny Linthwaite | Support Staff Governor | Elected unopposed | 11-11-24 | 4 years | n/a |
| Ruth Hayter | Staff Governor | Elected unopposed | 20-12-24 | 4 years | n/a |
Chair of Governors – Tony McIlroy
Safeguarding Link Governor – Tony McIlroy
Email: [email protected]
The DfE encourages maintained schools and academy trust boards to collect and publish diversity data about their boards and those of any local committees. Information should be widely accessible to members of the school community but schools and trusts must make sure that individuals cannot be identified through the publication of the data, particularly when board member levels are low. We are currently using GovernorHub to collate diversity data however Governors submit their data on a voluntary basis. At this moment in time, we are unable to publish an anonymised report but will continue to review this position.
For full details about Trust governance including Financial Accounts, Members and Trustees, Articles of Association, Funding Agreement and Memorandum of Association, please visit the Trust website using the link below.
Contact our chair of the Local Academy Governing Body
The chair of the Local Academy Governing Body is Tony McIlroy who can be contacted by emailing [email protected].
Should you wish to contact the Chair of the Local Academy Governing Body (AGB) please contact the Trust’s head of governance, Mr Simon Hudson, via email [email protected] or by post, addressing any correspondence for the attention of Mr Simon Hudson at the Ropewalk L.E.A.D. Academy Trust, 5a The Ropewalk, Nottingham, NG1 5DU
Please note that any complaints regarding the academy must be raised in line with our complaints policy and procedure and cannot be raised directly with the local academy governing body or Trust governance team.
Make a difference in your community, develop your professional skills and support children and young people by volunteering as a governor at Da Vinci Academy, Derby.
Our governors have delegated responsibility for a range of areas outlined in the scheme of delegation. These include, the quality of education and standards, safeguarding, special educational needs and/or disabilities and vulnerable pupils.
In short, Da Vinci Academy governors are the eyes and ears on the ground at academy level who support the Trust Board in adhering to their core governance functions:
There are many benefits to becoming a governor:
To find out more contact Simon Hudson, Head of Governance at L.E.A.D. Academy Trust via email [email protected] or by post by addressing any correspondence for the attention of Simon Hudson at the Ropewalk L.E.A.D. Academy Trust, 5a The Ropewalk, Nottingham, NG1 5DU
Our current opportunities can be found on our vacancy page (link below).
As well as looking at our governance page, you might also be interested in exploring governance in more detail by clicking on the links below.
