Trust & Governing Body
Tolerance. Aspiration. Achievement.
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Trust & Governing Body
The Rugby Free Secondary School team is a combination of professionals and community members. The lead proposer, Tom Legge, is a Rugby resident with a background in opening over 30 free schools.
Learning Today, Leading Tomorrow Trust (LT2).
LT2 is a multi-academy Trust which successfully opened its first free school, Rugby Free Primary School, in Warwickshire in September 2015 and its second school, Rugby Free Secondary School, in September 2016.
School improvement is at the core of what we do. Every school is on an improvement journey, be it a new school, established provision in challenging circumstances, or an ‘outstanding’ school needing to sustain high performance and avoid coasting. We will ensure all our schools maximise their resources to achieve educational excellence.
Members of the Trust are experienced educators, school operators and professionals and fully acknowledge the role and responsibility of the Trust Board in ensuring the highest quality standards of its schools and the tireless focus on outstanding outcomes for their students.
The following Trust documents can be found on the LT2 website – http://learningleading.org/
annual report
financial statements
memorandum of association
articles of association
funding agreement
records of board meetings in past year
David lives just outside Nottingham and is a father of three children, two at primary and one at secondary school. During a long career in business, David has delivered new school facilities under a variety of programmes and advised on the establishment and governance arrangements of a multi-academy trust. David is an expert in project delivery and contract management, and in delivering value for money schemes in the public sector. David is passionate about education and is an advocate of increasing parental choice in high quality education provision.
Tom has lived in Rugby for over ten years and currently has three children in the local state school system. He has been involved in the opening of over 50 free schools. All schools he has helped to open have been judged at least ‘Good’ at their first Ofsted inspection.
Tom is chair of the Local Governing Body at Rugby Free Primary School and Vice Chair of Learning Today, Leading Tomorrow with responsibility for Trust Development. He is also the governor responsible for Pupil Premium and Safeguarding at RFPS.
Jill leads on governance and oversight for the Trust. Jill lives in Rugby and is currently a Borough Councillor with responsibilities including Chairman of the Planning Committee.
A local and independent member of the Trust Board, Jill was involved in the inception of Knowledge School Trust as one of a group of parents campaigning for Rugby Free Primary School. Her role is to provide rigorous scrutiny of the Trust Board and Local Governing Bodies.
Gary has lived in the Rugby area for 20 years. He has two children in full-time education in the town.
A qualified chartered accountant with an MBA, he has held a number of senior financial positions and directorships in retail and leisure companies. Gary is currently a senior executive with a global bank, and is an expert in service management and operational transformation.
Gary believes every child should have the right to a good education.
Keith is the Trustee leading on school improvement and SEN.
In over a decade as an educational consultant Keith has worked as: a coach to Fast Track teachers, an external adviser to governors for Headteachers’ performance management; a chief external examiner for a university provider of initial teacher training; a tutor for the Open University on their Masters Education programme; and assessor for teachers applying for Advanced Skills teacher status.
He has advised and supported a number of free schools during their application and pre-opening phases and has also provided strategic advice to nationwide local authorities and children’s services. Keith also wrote significant elements of the National College for Teaching and Leadership’s (NCTL) leadership curriculum, including designing training materials for Chairs of Governors.
Krissi has been Headteacher at Burton Borough School in Shropshire since September 2016, her first appointment to headship. Prior to this, she held various teaching and leadership positions culminating in her appointment to Vice Principal of the ‘Outstanding’ Harris Academy Crystal Palace. It is her belief that it is increasingly important that we nurture students to become confident, lifelong learners who are unafraid to voice their own opinions and debate them in an intellectual, considered and structured manner. Her aspiration is for students to think and ask questions which will propel them into an age of innovation where their creative and critical thinking skills will be more important than ever before. She wants students to be well-rounded, not relying on rote or technology, so that they are fully empowered to compete and engage with their peers, both nationally and internationally
David leads on research and data analysis for the Trust and brings extensive Early Years and community liaison expertise. With a degree in applied economics, David has worked in the field of education and Early Years research for over a decade.
David has experience in working with over 20 free schools where he has helped organise community engagement and demand gathering and managed consultation during the pre-opening phase.
Brenda has over 30 years experience in statutory education at primary, secondary and sixth form stages. In previous roles, she set up a regional service to support young people aged 16-25 years, to access vocational programmes and prepare for university, she was Principal of an outstanding sixth form college and worked as Director of Education for a charity that delivered education and alternative provision nationally. Most recently, Brenda was the founding CEO of a regional multi-academy trust that set up 3 academies and free schools in the Midlands. She is also a trustee/director for an outstanding single academy trust (secondary) in Derbyshire. She brings particular expertise in governance and leadership structures, capacity building, partnership working and special educational needs.
I was delighted to be appointed as a trust Governor from the inception of RFSS and am passionate about its success. I have two children within secondary education in Rugby, so have some appreciation and understand the challenges that both parents and children face as we share the journey to their success. Prior to joining RFSS, I had eight years’ experience in roles in both the capacity of chair and vice-chair on charity committee’s including a school PTA and 5 years governance experience within Primary School education whereby the school progressed from “good” to “outstanding”. RFSS provides the challenge of building something for the future and I hope I can make a positive contribution to the success of the school in line with the high level of ambition shared by all its stakeholders. Should you wish to make a complaint or an allegation in respect of Rugby Free Secondary School, please feel free to contact me via School.
Linda is the Mother to Helena who started at Rugby Free Secondary School in September 2016, and has seen for herself the positive difference this school can make to children.
The mother of a disabled child (age 16), she has first-hand knowledge of Special Needs.
Running her own business, as an Approved Driving Instructor and Fleet Registered Driver Trainer, Linda has a very keen interest in all things road safety and driver training.
Linda also has vast media experience and has spoken to various journalists over the years and was one of the featured participants of BBC1’s 2006 series ‘Run For Glory’, which followed first time marathon runners.
I am a parent governor, and have been thrilled to see how well Christine Green and her excellent staff have delivered on her vision for Rugby Free School. My son is learning well, enjoys most of his lessons, and comes home excited about what has happened in school each day.
As a barrister with over 15 years’ experience I am able to assist the governing board regarding legal issues, and am not afraid to stand up and fight for the best interests of the school. I like to give back to the school in this role.
I also serve in a similar capacity on the Board of Trustees for the registered Charity, MissionAssist, as a volunteer. For over 7 years I have provided them with strategic and legal guidance.
I am also a black belt and fully qualified martial arts instructor. I teach at a children’s club for which I have undertaken training courses covering Child Welfare, First Aid, Safeguarding, Health & Safety and I have a current enhanced DBS certificate.
Helena lives locally and works for the Institute for Apprenticeships, which is responsible for raising the quality of apprenticeships and delivering Government’s reforms to technical education, including the new T-Levels. She is passionate about maximising pupils’ life chances and ensuring the education system works for everyone. This is what attracted her to Rugby Free Secondary School, with its individual approach to learning and curriculum rooted in the real world.
Jonathan’s background career takes him from Electronics as a Development Engineer, Computer Systems Engineer, Networking Consultant (Banking/Dealing and messaging systems for NATO and the British Army) , Project Manager (national network management systems for BT) and Commercial Manager (national network infrastructure projects) before starting his own computer support business 20 years ago. He is now proudly employed as a lecturer by Coventry University (TEF UK Universities – Second Place) and works in the Engineering faculty at CU Coventry, designing, writing and teaching the HNC, HND and BSc IT Practitioner and Digital Technologies courses.
Jonathan is a Radio Ham, SCUBA Instructor, member of MENSA and Motorcycle enthusiast and is building his own house extension. He is an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and has lately achieved an MA in Leadership and Management from Coventry University.
As well as SCUBA diving, he enjoys outings in his motorhome, riding his classic motorcycles and occasionally flying helicopters (on the rare occasions he can find the time). He is married with two children (one still at home) and also cohabitates with a mad Cocker Spaniel puppy called Chester.
Hello, I’m Christina and my daughter is in Year 8 at RFSS in September. I have been involved in education and teaching in some form for over 10 years, and have recently graduated from the University of Warwick with a BA (Hons) in Children’s Education. For over 2 years I worked alongside Warwick County Council as a parent consultant for children with Special Educational Needs. I very much look forward to contributing the knowledge this experience has given me to help drive forward the high standards and expectations already evident at RFSS.
Having intensely followed the decision making process of choosing a suitable Secondary School for my niece, who is thriving within the Rugby Free Secondary School. I was keen to get involved in a local school for a town where I have always lived.
My unconventional educational background (in this day and age) on a mechanical engineering apprenticeship within the Steam Turbine-Power Generation Industry was the basis of my progression into Project Management currently within the Pharmaceutical Industry. I have extensive health and safety knowledge / qualifications and management for construction activities covering all disciplines from Civil / Structural / Mechanical /Electrical / Building Services which can be utilised throughout the process of the new school build.
I was keen to be part of the Rugby Free Secondary School journey, and be part of the community challenge to be recognised as a key local school providing outstanding educational opportunities with an open minded approach to each students abilities.
Governors are required to declare any pecuniary interests they have.
Members and Trustees are required to declare any pecuniary interests they have.
The Trust is required to keep a register of people with significant control in the company.
The Trust is required to keep a register of people with significant control in the company.
SCHOOL CONTACT INFORMATION
Rugby Free Secondary School
Anderson Avenue
Rugby
CV22 5PE
01788 222060
Or email us here.
Learning Today, Leading Tomorrow (LT2) is a company limited by guarantee. Registered in England & Wales No: 09027131. Registered office: c/o Rugby Free Primary School, 1 Bailey Road, Rugby CV23 0PD.
RFSS TWITTER FEED
Chief Executive https://t.co/GGWwK0lUbf
Angela, Nick feel free to visit our STEMM school in Rugby and see how we’re doing it.
@mrnickharvey Good morning Nick, thanks for raising this with me, I strongly support music as part of an holistic education curriculum
Post Edited: Teacher of English https://t.co/RNEFLzlu2P
New post: Teacher of English https://t.co/RNEFLzlu2P
RFSS Facebook Feed
We are delighted to announce that Ms Samirah Roberts, Senior Vice Principal at the Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ Holyhead School in Birmingham, has today started in post as Acting Headteacher at Rugby Free Secondary School.
Ms Roberts has already met all the staff and several parents today, all of whom have given her a very warm welcome. She will be working alongside Brenda Mullen, the Trust’s Chief Executive Officer, over the summer break. From the start of the new academic year, Ms Roberts will join Mrs Heather Roberts (no relation!), who will continue to support the school on a part-time basis.
Ms Roberts has progressed from teacher of psychology to deputy headship at this highly regarded inner-city Birmingham academy where, despite students entering with attainment levels significantly below the national average, more students than at other comparable schools go on to employment, higher education and apprenticeships.
Ms Roberts also has four years’ experience of leading the school’s sixth form, which has expanded considerably from 50 students to over 260 and is now one of the most successful non-selective institutions in Birmingham. As a result of a number of initiatives, such as the Competitive Courses Programme for disadvantaged students, almost all students achieve a place at a university of their choice, including Russell Group universities.
Committed to raising standards and unlocking the potential of every student, Ms Roberts has worked alongside national organisations such as ALPs and PiXL and also facilitates a range of National College Leadership Programmes.
We are delighted that Holyhead School has agreed to this seconded support for as little or much time as needed. Trustees are confident that Ms Roberts’ exceptional track record of delivering excellent outcomes for students will further accelerate the improvements that are already well under way and provide our students with the first-rate education they deserve.
We look forward to introducing you all to Ms Roberts!
Dear Parents and Carers,
We have been overwhelmed by the positive response and messages of support we have received from parents and students in light of the disappointing result of the recent Ofsted inspection. We would like to say a huge ‘thank you’, as your words of encouragement have been a source of great comfort to all members of staff at the Trust and have literally brought tears to our eyes.
We are extremely proud of our school community where children, staff, and parents are the core strength of the school’s foundations. We built our school together and we will continue to work tirelessly to deliver the excellent education that each and every child deserves.
Ofsted’s report confirmed its faith in the Trust by recognising that it has “…begun to address the weaknesses at the school and is well placed to continue its improvement work”, and we give you heartfelt reassurance from the CEO and Chair of the Trust that no stone will be left unturned to deliver the school that we promised in 2015. We are confident that inspectors will see a very different school to that inspected in May during the next monitoring inspection, akin to the high expectations and standards, good quality of the teaching, and the safe and caring culture of the school that we aspire to.
We will be holding a series of meetings for all parents and carers in the first week of September. These will give the opportunity for parents and carers to ask questions, and for the Trust to provide reassurance that the actions taken since the inspection are having an impact and share a clear statement for the plans of rapid and sustainable improvement. We will also be emailing monthly updates starting in September to keep you informed of progress.
If you have any questions or concerns, please email info@learningleading.org as we are closely monitoring this throughout the summer break and will endeavour to respond within three working days. This will also ensure that we cover all FAQs for everyone at the meetings.
Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to welcoming you back on Thursday 5th September when we will begin the next school year with renewed confidence.
Learning Today Leading Tomorrow
Friday 19 July 2019
Reminder today is a non uniform day and school closes for summer at lunchtime.
School reopens for all students on Thursday 5 September 2019.