Governance

Governance Structure

Our school is part of the Pontefract Academies Trust.

The Trust was created under the provisions of the Academies Act 2010, as amended by the Education Act 2011. Its structure of governance is constituted under the Articles of Association. The Trust is an exempt charity by virtue of the Charities Act 2011.

The Funding Agreement between the Department for Education (DfE) and the Trust sets out the terms and conditions on which grant is made. The Trust Board is responsible for ensuring that the conditions of grant are met. As part of this process the Trust is required to have in place appropriate arrangements for sound governance, financial management, securing value for money and accounting, and for using public funds for the purposes for which they were intended by Parliament.

This Trust Board is accountable in law for all decisions about its schools. This does not mean that the Trust Board is required to make all of the decisions itself. Some decisions can be, and are delegated, including to SPRB, delegated officers, and other Trust Board established committees. The Scheme of Delegation sets out the framework which the Trust Board has approved.

All governance documentation for the Trust, including the Funding Agreement, Scheme of Delegation and Articles of Association can be found here.

Halfpenny Lane J, I & N and Orchard Head J, I & N Schools Performance Review Board (SPRB)

The Halfpenny Lane and Orchard Head Schools SPRB is a sub-committee of the Trust Board with various responsibilities delegated to it through the Pontefract Academies Trust Scheme of Delegation.

The SPRB is currently made up of:

Name Role Appointed By From To
Kara Adams Headteacher, Orchard Head J, I & N School Ex-officio 01/09/2025 -
Ian Shuttleworth Executive Headteacher, Halfpenny Lane J, I & N School Ex-officio 01/09/2022 -
Kieron O'Toole Head of School, Halfpenny Lane J, I & N School Ex-officio 01/09/2025 -
Alexis Sharp Chair (Pupil Premium/Disadvantaged Link) Trust Board 18/07/2025 13/07/2025
Shaun Dyson Vice Chair (SEND Link Rep) Trust Board 04/03/2024 03/03/2028
Rob Hollings SPRB Member (Safeguarding Link Rep) Trust Board Appointed Parent 03/02/2025 02/02/2029
Adele Henry SPRB Member Trust Board 18/07/2025 17/07/2029

The Chair can be contacted at the following address:

Halfpenny Lane J, I & N School
Halfpenny Lane
Pontefract
WF8 4BW

or by email at asharp@patrust.org.uk

SPRB Register of Business Interests

 

Term start date Term end date Appointed by Name of company or business interest Nature of business Nature of interest Date interest started Date interest ceased
Ian Shuttleworth 01/09/2022 N/A Ex-Officio None declared
Kara Adams 01/09/2025 N/A Ex-Officio None declared
Kieron O'Toole 01/09/2025 N/A Ex-Officio None declared
Shaun Dyson 04/03/2024 03/03/2028 Trust Board None declared
Rob Hollings 03/02/2025 02/02/2029 Trust Board None declared
Adele Henry 18/07/2025 17/07/2029 Trust Board None declared
Alexis Sharp 18/07/2025 28/09/2027 Trust Board Wakefield Parent Carer Forum CIC Supporting SEND parent carers with Education, Health and Social Care Director, Advisor 01/04/2020 -
Left within the last 12 months
Amanda Small 19/03/2022 09/10/2025 Trust Board No declaration received
Richard Grogan 01/09/2023 31/08/2025 Ex-Officio Bramham Primary School Primary School Governor 01/08/2022 -
Yorkshire & Humber Maths Hub Educational Network Strategic Board Member 01/09/2023 -
Samaak Khan 20/07/2021 19/07/2025 Trust Board None declared
Katie Grimshaw 09/01/2024 21/05/2025 Trust Board None declared
Lauren Crowcroft 01/09/2024 12/01/2025 Trust Board Fibre Dance and Acrobatics Community group providing dance and acrobatics Director 02/01/2019 -
Tim Craven 17/05/2021 15/11/2024 Trust Board None declared

SPRB Membership & Attendance Summary 2024/25

From To Appointed by Meetings attended Out of a possible
Ian Shuttleworth (Headteacher of Halfpenny Lane) 01/09/2022 N/A Ex-officio 4 4
Richard Grogan (Headteacher of Orchard Head until 31/08/2025) 01/09/2023 N/A Ex-officio 4 4
Amanda Small (Chair) 19/03/2022 18/03/2026 Trust Board Appointed Parent 3 4
Lauren Crowcroft 01/09/2024 16/12/202 Ex-officio 2 2
Shaun Dyson 04/03/2024 03/03/2028 Trust Board 2 2
Rob Hollings 03/02/2025 02/02/2029 Trust Board Appointed Parent 1 1

 

Resignations

From To Appointed by Meetings attended Out of a possible
Tim Craven 16/11/2020 15/11/2024 Trust Board 0 1
Katie Grimshaw 09/01/2024 21/05/2025 Trust Board Appointed Staff 0 1
Samaak Khan (Vice Chair) 20/07/2021 18/07/2025 Trust Board 1 3