Governance
Trust in Learning (Academies) - TiLA
Trust in Learning is a multi-academy trust committed to improving schools and the experiences of children and young people so that they can become successful learners and responsible citizens.
Our Vision: is to improve the quality of schooling and outcomes in Bristol and the West of England for children and young people by promoting communities that trust in learning and the endeavour of education to transform lives. We support and challenge this improvement through fostering the autonomy and empowerment of effective leadership and governance.
Our Values: are ones that promote an inclusive approach to education where we seek to overcome social disadvantage and bring about social cohesion and equality. In order to do this we challenge traditional approaches to schooling to bring about sustained change through supporting excellence of leadership and classroom practice.
Our values are underpinned by the belief that partnership and collaborative working are the foundation blocks for successful education outcomes, that we all have individual and collective strength and opportunity by supporting and learning from others.
Our Guiding Principles:
- Trust in Learning – the best classrooms
- Trust in Leadership – the best leaders
- Trust in Local Governance – the best local commitment
Orchard School Bristol's Structure of Governance
As is the case with all multi academy trusts the legal responsibility for governance of the Trust and its schools sits with the Members and the Board of Directors (trustees). It is for the Board to decide how and to what level it wishes to delegate any responsibility to a local body or committee.
The trust has in place several groups to ensure that there is a strong link between the Board and its schools or academies.
A School Performance Board (SPB) oversees and scrutinises the quality of education at Orchard School Bristol and this group reports to the main board through its committee structure.
The School Performance Board at Orchard is chaired by Mr Josh Perry. This board is clerked by Ms Sarah Barker. If you wish to contact Josh, or any other member of the board, please do so via Sarah Barker: sbarker@osb.ampedu.co.uk or at Clerk to Governors, Orchard School Bristol, Filton Road, Bristol, BS7 0XZ.
The Governor meeting attendance record for 2021 - 2022 can be accessed here.
The Governor meeting attendance record for 2022 - 2023 can be accessed here.
The Governor meeting attendance record for 2023 - 2024 can be accessed here.
The Governor meeting attendance record for 2024 - 2025 can be accessed here.
Governor Vacancies
We do not have any current vacancies.
Orchard School's Governors - present members of the School Performance Board and those who have served in the last 2 years.
Josh Perry - Chair of the School Performance Board and rep from the Quality of Education board
Josh is the current chair of the School Performance Board and also sits on the Quality of Education board for TiLA.
Date of Josh's appointment to governance at Orchard: 1 September 2024
Date that Josh's term in office will end: 31 August 2028
Josh says: "I’m an education entrepreneur and co-founder of two school assessment businesses: Carousel Learning and Smartgrade. Previously I was part of the leadership team at Ark Schools, a Multi Academy Trust, and earlier in my career I was a management consultant. I’ve also been Chair of Governors at two primary schools in west London and a governor at a secondary school in Birmingham."
David Hussey - Member of the School Performance Board
David is a member of the School Performance Board.
Date of David’s appointment to governance at Orchard: 1 September 2022
Date that David's term in office will end: 31 August 2026
David says: “Before my retirement in 2018 I worked in education for 42 years; 16 years as a teacher and 26 years as a Headteacher. The majority of my teaching and all of my Headship experience was working with children with learning difficulties. My last Headship was at a school in Fishponds, Bristol for 18 years. I am experienced in Governance both through my Headship experience and my work as a Governor and Trustee at 2 local schools since retiring. I still work part time as a consultant in the education sector as an Executive Coach, Independent Investigator and Expert Witness.”
Dave Spence - Member of the School Performance Board
Dave is a member of the SPB and also the Director of School Improvement at Trust in Learning.
Date of Dave's appointment to governance at Orchard: 1 September 2022
As a TiLA director, Dave's appointment as a member of the School Improvement Board is ongoing as long as he is in post.
Dave says: "I have 30 years of experience in education, initially teaching languages and then latterly in roles at every Senior Leadership level in numerous settings across Bristol.
As my role as Director of School Improvement in Trust in Learning I lead in a number of strategic areas to support and challenge our schools, especially in Raising Attainment, coaching and mentoring of other colleagues who work in a number of our schools, and within forums such as these, which scrutinize and analyse the direction of the school's work with each Headteacher in the Trust."
Hannah Wong - Member of the School Performance Board
Hannah is a member the School Performance Board.
Date of Hannah's date to governance at Orchard: 5th of March 2025
Date that Hannah's term in office will end: 31st of August 2029
Hannah says: "I'm a new governor to the school and excited to join the SPB. With a background in commercial, procurement and international relations and my current role within higher education - I hope to bring a diverse perspective to support the schools aims and development. I am also passionate about equality and inclusion with all children having access to a good quality of education."
Mel Sweet - Headteacher
Mel is the Headteacher of Orchard School Bristol and will serve as a board member for as long as she holds the post of Headteacher.
Sarah Barker - Clerk
Sarah is the Clerk to Governors. She is also a Teacher of English at Orchard. You can email Sarah with any enquiries regarding governance: sbarker@orchard.tila.school
Craig Lambourne - past governor
Date of Craig's appointment: 8 February 2019
Date that Craig's term in office ended: 31 August 2024
John Salter - past governor
Date of John's appointment: 1 September 2019
Date that John's term in office ended: 31 August 2024
Becoming a Governor
Becoming a governor is a voluntary role. Previous experience is desirable, but not essential as training and support will be given. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds.
For further information, contact the Clerk to the Governors at sbarker@osb.ampedu.co.uk or call 0117 377 2000.
Members of the School Improvement Board are appointed as trust sponsored governors by Trust in Learning, supporting and challenging the improvement agenda of the school. The key role for the School Improvement Board is to evaluate the actions and practices of the senior team and Head and work with the board to ensure it carries out its duties effectively. Board members usually serve for four years from the start of their appointment.
