Governors
Our Governance
For full details of the REAch2 governance structure, please click here.
There are three levels of governance in REAch2- Trust, Cluster and Local (Academy). REAch2 has ten Clusters and St Margaret's Primary Academy is in Cluster 5.
Schools in the Lowestoft regional ‘cluster’:
- St Margaret’s Primary Academy
- Beccles Primary Academy
- Gunton Primary Academy
- The Limes Primary Academy
- Phoenix St Peter Primary Academy
- Northfield St Nicholas Primary Academy
All our schools share the same governance structure and you can find information about the trust on the REAch2 website at www.reach2.org. The Governance page gives details of how the Trust is organised, including the Articles of Association, the Master Funding Agreement and all the documents which relate to how the Trust was founded and how it runs today. You can also find details of who our trustees are.
Our school, like all the schools in the Trust, has a local governing body (LGB). There is a scheme of delegation, which details how the LGB should work. The LGB hold meetings during the year in which they help to support the school, its leadership and pupils whilst challenging to make sure that everyone achieves as much progress as they should.
Our school’s LGB is made up of 4 trust-appointed members, who are volunteers, two parents, two staff and the headteacher. They can invite other members of staff in to meetings to discuss current issues. You can find out about our governors below. They have to declare that they are working for the school in an open and honest way and so fill in a declarations of interests form (see below link).
The LGB also works alongside a cluster board where region-wide issues are discussed. The Cluster Board is made up of volunteers, just like an LGB, with head teachers and chairs of governors. There are also a team of support officers, providing services via Reach2. They provide support to the schools in finance, HR, estates and governance.
We would like to share this information with you about our governors and governance:
REACh2 Trust website
Please use this link to view all REAch2 Policies
Visit the REAch2 website, click here.
Find them on Facebook and Twitter!
Financial Statements for REAch2 Academy Trust
For further information please click on the link to REAch2’s website: reach2.org/governance-policy/financial-statements/
Chair of Governors
Chair of Governors:
Mrs Tracy Driscoll
C/O St Margaret's Primary Academy
Church Road
Lowestoft
Suffolk
NR32 4JF
chair@stmargarets-academy.org
Local Governing Body
Mrs Tracy Driscoll - Trust Appointed
Mrs Charlotte Reeve - Trust Appointed
Mr Graham Evans - Trust Appointed
Rev. Simon Stokes - Trust Appointed
Miss Nicola Hendley - Staff Governor
Miss Sorrel Adams- Staff Governor
Mrs Julie Catchpole - Headteacher
Miss Victoria Parsons - Parent Governor
Mrs Julie Clark - Parent Governor
Trust Appointed Governor Vacancy
The clerk to Governors is David Gavin from Entrust
Roles
Mrs Tracy Driscoll - Chair, Safeguarding
Mrs Charlotte Reeve - Vice Chair, SEND & Inclusion
Mr Graham Evans - Health & Safety
Rev. Simon Stokes - Pupil Premium & Sports Premium
Miss Victoria Parsons- Curriculum
Mrs Julie Clark- Attendance
Meet Our Governors
Mrs Tracy Driscoll
Appointed: 23rd May 2023
Date of term: 23rd May 2023 - 22 May 2027
Mrs Charlotte Reeve
Appointed: 20th October 2022
Date of term: 21st October 2024 - 20th October 2028
I have been part of the St. Margaret's Primary Academy community for the past nine years, both as a parent and, since October 2022, as the SEND and Inclusion Governor. I currently serve as Vice Chair of the Local Governing Board at St. Margaret's primary academy and Beccles Primary Academy.
My passion lies in advocating for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). I work closely with school leaders to help create an inclusive, supportive, and nurturing environment where every child can thrive.
Being a governor has been an incredibly rewarding experience. It has allowed me to contribute meaningfully to our school communities while developing my own skills and deepening my understanding of education governance. I remain committed to upholding our schools’ values and ensuring that every child is given the opportunity to succeed.
Mr Graham Evans
GRAHAM EVANS
Appointed: 18th December 2020
Date of term: 18th December 2024 - 17th December 2028
Appointed by: Local Governing Body
I have been on the Governing Board since December 2020 as a Reach 2 appointed governor.
I have been in involved with education since April 2015 working in association with Beacon East & OPITO giving advice, lectures and challenges in schools and 6th form colleges to encourage more students to follow carers in engineering. I’m also an education officer (EO) for The IET (Institute of Engineering & Technology). Prior to semi-retirement in 2015 I spent over 35 years in engineering working mainly in the energy industry all over the world.
Along with fellow governors we support and challenge our school leaders to make certain we have high standards of achievement for all of our young people, ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction. I enjoy making school visits and meeting the children and staff, gaining first-hand experience of the school at work.
Out of school I enjoy playing golf, travelling, cinema/theatre. I’m a member of Gorleston Theatre company taking part in 3 productions a year having played many roles in various productions.
I’m also a Trustee at the Ashley school Academy trust since August 2020.
Miss Victoria Parsons
Appointed: 27th February 2025
Date of term: 28th February 2025 - 27th February 2029
Appointed by: Local Governing Board
I have been a parent at St. Margaret’s Primary Academy for nine years and became a governor in January 2025. I thought it was about time to stop being a quiet member of the community and start to help our school by becoming a parent governor.
By becoming a governor, it allows me work on my self-confidence and gain more skills in areas that I am interested in. It gives me the opportunity to support and challenge the school leadership, to make sure our children are receiving the best possible opportunities in their education.
Mrs Julie Clark
Appointed: 4th March 2025
Date of term: 5th March 2025 - 5th March 2029
Appointed by: Local Governing Body
I am delighted to have joined the school community as a parent Governor in January 2025. With two children currently attending St Margaret's, I am incredibly invested in the school's success and the wellbeing of its students.
Professionally I work as an IT Supplier Relationship Manager, a role that has given me useful skills in communication and governance which will help me as I get up to speed as a new governor.
I am passionate about DE&I and believe that a diverse and inclusive environment is important for the growth of our students and the school community. I look forward to working with the staff, parents, and fellow governors to achieve the best outcomes for our children.
Rev. Simon Stokes
Appointed: 30th April 2024
Date of term: 30th April 2024 - 29th April 2028
Miss Nicola Hendley
Appointed: 4th November 2024
Date of term: 4th November 2024 - 3rd November 2028
Staff Governor
Miss Sorrel Adams
Appointed: 6th May 2025
Date of term: 6th May 2025 - 5th May 2029
Appointed by: Local Governing Body
Staff Governor
Mrs Jeanette Skinner
Appointed: 26th February 2021
Date of Term: 26th February 2021 - 25th February 2025
Stepped down as staff governor at the end of the term.
