Our Governing Body consists of:
- Four Trust-appointed Governors
- The Principal
- Two staff Governors (One teaching, one non-teaching)
- Two parent Governor
- Local Authority Governors
Trust-appointed Governors
Gwyn ap Harri
Gwyn is our Chair of Governors and also a member of our Trust
Richard Pountney
Principal Lecturer in Education, Sheffield Hallam University
Richard is the Teaching Fellow for Curriculum and Professional Development in the faculty of Development and Society. His role is to support the development of learning and teaching in his faculty and specifically to work with course teams to plan their courses, make changes to the curriculum, address their own professional development and (increasingly) respond to the national and institutional drivers for change in Higher Education.
Richard is our Link Governor to the Academic community and will help drive the CPD of XP staff and academically validate its practice and pedagogy.
Stephen Bielby
Head of Operations, HMYOI Wetherby
Stephen has 16 years experience of working and managing in a custodial setting. Currently Head of Security and Intelligence, he works with some of the most difficult and troubled Young People in the country. Theses young boy have issues ranging from behavioral problems, mental health issues and serious learning difficulties. He has formulated and implemented projects within this challenging setting to develop and engage the creative and communication skills of the Young People with great success, working with experts such as Billy Bragg on a recent musical project.
As a father of 5 he has previous experience as a school governor at a successful local school and is fully committed to the long term future and goals of XP.
Stephen is our Link Governor to the Services community
Norman Edmanson
Norman developed his career in manufacturing through a variety of challenging positions up to Director level with an international Plc. Industries include Automotive, I/C Engines, FMCG, Pharmaceuticals, Plastics. He has co-owned a Nursing and Rest Home for the elderly and an Egon Ronay registered hotel.
Since 1979 he has focused on his great passion of developing young managers, for 14 years working with Cranfield University’s Fellowships in Manufacturing Management Programme which he linked with industry which won a Queens Award in 2005. To date he has mentored up to Plc CEO in over 100 companies. For the past 10 years he has focused on voluntary work in Doncaster, mentoring the Doncaster Economic Partnership at no charge, Trustee Director of Doncaster CVS, The Tricon Foundation charity and Trustee of Rossington Development Trust.
Norman’s proven wide experience, respect and trust will provide XP with invaluable authentic learning opportunities. He has no political agenda and has a proven record of being a good team player who respects all other people whoever they are and whatever their backgrounds.
Norman is our Link Governor to the Private Sector
Please Click here if you want to know how to become a Governor
Principal Designate
Andy Sprakes
Previously Head of Campsmount Academy
Andy has been the Head Teacher of Campsmount for 8 years, and Deputy for four years prior to that. He has led Campsmount out of it’s fire disaster through to record results at GCSE and A Level in 2013.
Andy is leading the XP group alongside Gwyn ap Harri
Staff Governors
Gemma Thornton
Gemma started her educational journey at Coventry University after completing her BA (HONS) in Graphic Design. After a couple of years working in Further Education, she fell in love with teaching and pursued her career by doing a PGCE at Birmingham University.
She spent her first eight years of teaching at Armthorpe Academy where she built her career as an Art and Media teacher. Whilst teaching she became a Head of Year for a number of different year groups in both key stages. She became an Associate Leader where she worked alongside Senior Management and as part of this role had to lead a team of teachers to implement a project-based learning curriculum for the Humanities and Arts for Year 7 Students.
This is when she gained a new-found love for teaching, seeing students engage in subjects beyond their expectations and producing some outstanding creations. The opportunity then arose to become a Staff Governor of XP which she is proud to be a part of in such a pioneering school.
Jacqui Chappell
Before starting at XP, Jacqui worked for a global consultancy company with business clients from across the UK. She designed personal and business improvement training programmes, led senior management teams and successfully returned significant financial results.
During this time she was selected by the Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) to represent and promote STEM subjects and careers to young students throughout schools in the UK.
When she decided to enter the world of educations, XP was without a doubt where she wanted to be. Jacqui believes it is a fantastic learning centre and somewhere she could continue her personal development.
Parent Governors
Rachel Scott
Rachel has lived in Doncaster all her life and after completing her degree in Public Sector Management has worked at Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council as an Internal Auditor. This involves assessing organisation’s processes and procedures to give an independent assurance opinion on how these are working, as well as to add value to and help to improve the organisation’s operations.
Having 2 children of her own, when hearing about XP and its philosophy, Rachel was intrigued by project based learning and became incredibly enthusiastic about this more ‘real life’ approach. Now being part of the school herself she is even more committed and dedicated to the development of XP to ensure that the students have the best start in life by receiving a first class education.
As a Parent Governor, Rachel will be able to use her link between the school and parents to enable a balance approach to be taken on decision-making.
Paul Haines
Paul is the Managing Director of Exploration Ltd, a local Doncaster based Geo-environmental ground drilling company, operating across the UK.
He has moved through the working system from Trainee to Director and has worked across many sectors, even though his academic schooling was not the best.
He became a Parent Governor at XP because he wanted to give something back to the community and feel that he could help to steer XP towards being even more fantastic.
Paul has three children and understands as much as any parent how schooling can give so much to a child if it is delivered effectively. He believes that XP supports children who want to learn and inspires others to follow, and is proud to say he is a part of it.
Local Authority Governors
Jo Moxon
Jo is currently Assistant Director DMBC with responsibility for Learning and Achievement services.
She has 18 years’ experience in Local Government School Improvement. Before that she was a Primary Headteacher, a teacher trainer and a pioneer of innovative teaching and learning methodology in Religious Education.
Her publications include a creative Professional Development package called ‘Teach Outside Your Box’ which she developed whilst working in North Lincolnshire and co authorship of ‘Religious Education; An Experiential Approach’.
Jo has been a registered Ofsted Inspector in the Primary phase. She promotes international school partnerships leading on education linking projects with China.
Creative curriculum delivery is a particular interest of hers.
