Governors
The Richmond Primary Academy is governed by an Academy Scrutiny Committee (ASC). The ASC members are currently as follows:
Our Governors
Governor (ID 1048)
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Danielle HarrisPrincipal
Danielle Harris
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Wendy BaxterDRET Appointed Governor (Chair)
Wendy Baxter
Wendy has served on other ASCs across the DRET Academies for the past 10 years. Wendy is the Director of Primary Development for the Trust and its part of her role to ensure that all aspects of school leadership are exemplary, including governance. She wishes to support ASCs by bringing her knowledge and skill-set to the meetings and there is always something new to learn from other governors. She has previously been a Teacher and also had a 20 year career in NHS management as well as running her own business supporting GP practices. When not at work, she loves to spend time outdoors and is an avid fan of parkrun.
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Rachel BriggsDRET Appointed Governor (Vice Chair)
Rachel Briggs
I decided to become a governor to utilise my skills to support, and develop, a school. I am a Vice Principal at a primary school. I have been teaching for 20 years and I have been a SENDCO for 13 years. I also have skills in data/assessment, behaviour and Pupil Premium. I enjoy walks with my family, reading books and doing jigsaws.
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Ed AndersonDRET Appointed Governor
Ed Anderson
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Alex GreenDRET Appointed Governor
Alex Green
Having previously served as a Governor at Skegness Grammar School Alex joined The Richmond Primary Academy's ASC in November 2025.
Alex is the Subject Lead for Secondary Music across The David Ross Education Trust and has a proven track record of developing and managing multiple departments across the Trust in a cooperative and collegiate manner. As Director of Music at Skegness Grammar, he has turned around the Music department to become one of the highest performing, high profile departments in the Trust. Throughout his teaching career, spanning over a decade and in a variety of settings from HMP Prisons, single sex schools, challenging comprehensives to Skegness Grammar School, he has found that staff morale, sense of value and voice have made a monumental difference to school performance.
Alex is the Chairman of the Grimsby, Cleethorpes and District Youth Orchestra, where he has managed a number of overseas high-quality music experiences for a large number of young musicians. At home, he runs a smallholding of sheep, pigs and chickens in the Lincolnshire Wolds and operate extremely high welfare standards, positive environmental impact and actively support wildlife sustainability. He has two young children both of whom love to help out on the farm.
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Connor RatcliffeStaff Governor
Connor Ratcliffe
I decided to become a governor because of my dedication and passion towards the school, I have always been committed to making the Richmond Primary Academy the best it can be and becoming a part of the Academy Scrutiny Committee has enabled me to do this further. I started working at the school as a teaching assistant in 2019 and have had the pleasure of working with different cohorts of children across the years I have been working here. From working in the school, I can use my deep understanding of the educational landscape with my in-depth knowledge of the school's policies and procedures to provide great insight into any problems that may arise. From living around Skegness, I have an understanding of the community and try to ensure that the children and community are at the forefront of all decisions made. When not in my role as Staff Governor I like to spend my time playing different racquet sports, performing with the local musical theatre company and using any left-over time to play video games.
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Simon FlintStaff Governor
Simon Flint
Simon is Vice Principal and SENCO at The Richmond Primary Academy and joined the ASC in January 2026.
Outside of work Simon enjoys reading, walking outdoors and travel.
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Emma TaylorParent Governor
Emma Taylor
I decided to become a governor because I wanted to make a difference in the primary education sector in the local area. Having a passion for education and an understanding of the impact quality learning can have on a young person's life made me eager to undertake a more active role and give back to the community. I am currently a lecturer in the further education sector and regularly undertake internal and external verification. This provides me with a good breadth of knowledge in relation to quality assurance, making me a good individual for the Academy Scrutiny Committee. I am passionate about the education sector and how it can inspire young people's futures and provide them with the skills and knowledge they need. I have a keen interest in innovation and enjoy discovering and learning new innovative ways for individuals to learn.
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Angela SparksParent Governor
Angela Sparks
I have two children currently at the school, and one baby who will hopefully attend in a few years. I therefore have a vested interest in supporting the school to do well, both now and into the future. As a solicitor, I feel I have many transferable skills to bring to the ASC. My experience with analysis, appropriately challenging decisions and an understanding of confidentiality and professionalism will all support my role as governor. I am passionate about my work but enjoy spending quality time with my family, making memories.
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Hannah CreaseyClerk
Hannah Creasey
Hannah has been clerking since 2019. She is currently clerking in two MATs and for two maintained schools. She enjoys supporting governors and headteachers and understands the importance of this as they look to provide the best environment for children's education, welfare and wholeness. Hannah has been married since 2004 and has three children and five guinea pigs. She is a committed Christian and attends church in Kirton, Boston. She is originally from Essex and moved to Lincolnshire when she got married. Hannah enjoys travelling - whether abroad or in the UK - and if she could employ anyone to work in her home, it would be a chef. She does not enjoy cooking!
Current Governors
| Name | Governor Type | Appointed By | Term of Office | Term From | Term To | Declarations of Interest and other Governance Roles | Governor Assigned Responsibilities | Attendance 24/25 | Attendance 25/26 |
| Ed Anderson | Appointed governor | Appointed by foundation/Trust | First | 01 Mar 2024 | 29 Feb 2028 |
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4 of a possible 5 | 0 of a possible 1 |
| Wendy Baxter | Appointed governor | Appointed by foundation/Trust | First | 01 Mar 2024 | 29 Feb 2028 |
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5 of a possible 5 | 1 of a possible 1 |
| Rachel Briggs | Appointed governor | Appointed by foundation/Trust | First | 01 Mar 2024 | 29 Feb 2028 |
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3 of a possible 5 | 1 of a possible 1 |
| Simon Flint | Staff governor | Elected by school staff | First | 15 Jan 2026 | 14 Jan 2030 |
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Not applicable, not in post | Not applicable, not in post | |
| Alex Green | Appointed governor | Appointed by foundation/Trust | First | 27 Nov 2025 | 26 Nov 2029 |
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Not applicable, not in post | Not applicable, not in post | |
| Danielle Harris | Principal | Ex-officio by virtue of office as headteacher/ principal |
Not applicable | 01 May 2025 | Ex Officio |
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1 of a possible 2 | 1 of a possible 1 | |
| Connor Ratcliffe | Staff governor | Elected by school staff | First | 01 Mar 2024 | 29 Feb 2028 |
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5 of a possible 5 | 1 of a possible 1 |
| Angela Sparks | Parent Governor | Elected by parents | First | 12 Dec 2024 | 11 Dec 2028 |
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4 of a possible 4 |
1 of a possible 1 |
| Emma Taylor | Parent Governor | Elected by parents | First | 4 Jun 2024 | 3 Jun 2028 |
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2 of a possible 5 |
0 of a possible 1 |
Former Governors
Below is a list of governors that have served in the past 12 months.
| Name | Governor type | Appointed by | Terms served | First appointed | Leaving date | Declarations of interest and other governance roles | Attendance 23/24 | Attendance 24/25 |
| Vicky Ross | Principal | Ex-officio by virtue of office as headteacher/principal | Not applicable | 01 Mar 2024 | 30 Apr 2025 |
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3 of a possible 3 | 3 of a possible 3 |
| Dan Kirk | Appointed governor | Appointed by foundation/trust | 1 | 01 Mar 2024 | 29 Jul 2025 |
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3 of a possible 3 | 4 of a possible 5 |
| Sarah O'Dare | Staff Governor | Elected by staff | 1 | 18 Nov 2024 | 31 Aug 2025 |
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Not applicable, not in post |
2 of a possible 4 |
Contacting Us
The Governance Officer for The Richmond Primary Academy is Victoria Linthwaite. Victoria can be reached at governance@dret.co.uk.
To contact a governor, please contact the Trust Governance Team by emailing governance@dret.co.uk.
If you are looking to contact a Governor to make a complaint or share a concern, please note that as per our Complaints Policy, governors do not investigate complaints at Stage 1 or Stage 2. This enables them to be impartial should a complaint be escalated to a Stage 3 governor panel. If you wish to make a complaint, please complete this form and your complaint will be investigated accordingly.
Scheme of Delegation
Information about the David Ross Education Trust’s scheme of delegation is available here.
Minutes of the Academy Scrutiny Committee
Should you wish to view a copy of the minutes of the ASC at this academy, please contact the Trust Governance Team (governance@dret.co.uk), who will be able to provide you with an electronic or paper copy of the minutes.
Are you interested in becoming an academy governor?
We are looking for new governors to support our academies. Our governors work closely with their academies to support the Trust’s goal of broadening the horizons of young people through a world-class education, equipping our students with the skills and experiences to become their confident, academic best, no matter what.
If you have an interest in, and commitment to, improving education and would like to make a difference within your community, please register your interest in becoming a governor by completing our governor application form. If you have any questions about a governor’s role or responsibilities please contact us at governance@dret.co.uk or review our information pack.
What is it like being a Governor with DRET?
To understand what it is like to be a governor with us, take a look at our testimonial booklet and videos which contain insights from serving governors.
Emma Bennett
Angela Watts
Stephen Platten
Garry Allen
What training do Governors receive?
We offer an extensive range of training opportunities. Take a look at what is on offer for the current academic year.


