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  • Governance

    The school is part of the Diocese of Coventry Multi Academy Trust and the Academy Governance Committee (AGC) is part of the governance structure of the Trust which is responsible for overseeing strategic decisions of the school. The governance structure for the trust as a whole is outlined in the governance structure documents here. As an Academy Governance Committee we work in close partnership with the Headteacher and senior leadership team to ensure the best quality education is provided to every child. It is our responsibility to support, challenge, ask questions and ultimately represent the school community. The Academy Governance Committee acts as a ‘critical friend’ to the senior leadership team, questioning and challenging decisions in a constructive and professional way.

    Academy Governance Committees have key roles in relation to: providing support, monitoring and challenge around educational experience and performance; church, community and stakeholder engagement and supporting alignment with Trust strategy, approach, ethos and values. The AGC Members meet regularly, visit the school when possible and during special events.  As a team, we are able to support the school to function well and strive to provide a high standard of education.

    As a Church of England Academy (part of the Diocese of Coventry Multi-Academy Trust) all the AGC Members support the school in being a place of inclusive welcome and education for everyone.

    Meet the Governors

    Rev Chris Routledge- Foundation Governor

    I’m Rev Chris Routledge and I have been the Vicar at St Nicolas Church since 2022 and became a foundation governor at St Nicolas Academy as part of this role. Prior to moving to Nuneaton, I was a vicar in Plymouth for 10 years and was a governor at 3 schools there. Before I was ordained, I was a primary school teacher and local church youth worker for 4 years. I have always found it a privilege to work in and with schools whether as a youth worker, vicar, teacher or governor to serve the children and families of the local community with one of the greatest gifts: education. 

    Dawn Beasley - Foundation Governor

    Chair of the AGC

    Helen Allred- Foundation Governor

    I have been a Governor at St Nicolas since 2000. I was originally a Parent Governor- both my sons attended St Nicolas and, as they had such an excellent start to their education and life at St Nicolas, I was keen to give something back to the school as a Governor. I am now a Foundation (Church) Governor. Also, as Reader (Licensed Lay Minister) in Coventry Diocese, I am keen to help uphold the Christian Distinctiveness of the school. My background is Teaching and Careers work. I help in school every Friday afternoon, mainly hearing Year 6 read. 

    Nicola Hoare- Foundation Governor

    I have been a Governor at St Nicolas for nearly 8 years, initially in the capacity as Community Governor but now as a Foundation Governor.  Both my children have attended St Nicolas, my daughter leaving in 2024 and my son currently in year 5. I  work for a private University that delivers tuition courses for Professional Qualifications and my role includes delivering Accountancy tuition, resource scheduling and management of the Birmingham Campus. I bring a mixture of skills to the Governor Committee such as financial analysis, knowledge of adult education and people management.

    I am proud to be a Governor at St Nicolas , I want the best for all of the children, and feel I can bring a parent's perspective to the meetings as well as a business financial view. I regularly go into school as well as dropping off and collecting my son each day.

    Ekta Porter- Parent Governor

    I am a practising solicitor and parent of three children at St Nicolas, and I’m proud to serve as a Parent Governor. I bring a strong understanding of legal and regulatory matters, along with a practical, problem-solving approach. My professional background helps me support the governing body in ensuring good governance, safeguarding, and strategic planning. I’m passionate about contributing to a positive, inclusive school environment where every child can thrive.

    Sapna Dave- Parent Governor

    I have been serving as a Parent Governor at St Nicolas CofE Academy since 2023. It is a great honour to bring a parental perspective to the strategic discussions and decision-making that underpin our school's direction and development. With a professional background as a Science Teacher, and leadership experience in both pastoral care and teaching and learning, I am deeply committed to fostering students' emotional, mental, and social wellbeing within a learning environment where high-quality teaching drives positive educational outcomes.

    My current role as a qualified Coach in the higher education sector allows me to continue this commitment, channelling my passion for education and its power to shape individuals and society. I am proud to contribute to a school community that values both academic achievement and the holistic development of every child.

    Dr Chris Jordan- Associate Governor

    I was delighted become an associate governor in the spring of 2025. St. Nicolas Academy has been a big part of our family life since 2013 when our eldest child began her education there, and our youngest is currently ending his Reception year.

    I have worked in the education sector for twenty years, currently as an educational psychologist and previously as a secondary school teacher. I hope to bring relevant perspectives to the associate governor role having worked in a diverse range of schools to support young people, staff, and  parents. I am passionate about supporting positive change in education and would like to help St Nicolas Academy move forward by supporting wherever I can and in whatever capacity is most helpful.

    Away from my job the day-to-day experiences of a being parent of school-aged children, and all the wonderful surprises this brings, have hopefully further equipped me to make useful contributions to the governing body.

     
    AGC Meeting Dates 2025-26
     
     
                   
    Day:  Wednesday Wednesday Wednesday Wednesday Wednesday Wednesday  
    Date: 24.09.25 19.11.25 14.01.26 04.03.26 29.04.26 17.06.26  
    Time 6.00pm - 8.00pm 6.00pm - 8.00pm 6.00pm - 8.00pm 6.00pm - 8.00pm 6.00pm - 8.00pm 6.00pm - 8.00pm  
                   

    AGC Membership and Attendance

    NIC AGC Membership and Attendance 2025-26

     
    St Nicolas CofE AGC Membership 2025-26
    Category Title First Name Last Name Position Start Date Re-appt End Date Appointed By Attendance 2025/26
    Foundation Ex-Officio Rev'd Christopher Routledge ex-officio 04.10.2022 Ex-officio DBE 6/6
    Foundation Mrs Nicola Hoare 23.05.2018 23.05.2022
    22.01.2024
    21.01.2028 DBE 6/6
    Foundation Mrs Valerie Bottrill 18.08.2025 17.08.2029 DBE 5/6
    Foundation Ms Dawn Beasley Chair 01.05.2006 05.04.2018
    11.01.2022
    30.04.26
    29.04.2030 DBE 6/6
    Foundation Ms Helen Allred Vice Chair 01.03.2000 22.05.2018
    29.05.2022
    22/01/2024
    21.01.2028 DBE 6/6
    Parent Mrs Ekta Porter 24.01.2025 23.01.2028 DBE 4/6
    Parent Mrs Sapna Dave 06.09.23 05.09.27 Elected by Parents 5/6
    Staff Mr Ian Meikle Ex-officio (Headteacher) 01.09.2024 Ex-officio Elected by Staff 6/6
    Staff Mrs Clare  Holland-Turner 14.05.2024 13.05.2028 Elected by Staff 6/6
    Associate Dr Christopher Jordan 29.04.2026 28.04.2027 AGC 5/6
    Associate Mrs Victoria Boote 23.07.2026 22.07.2027 AGC N/a
    AGC Members who have resigned in the last 12 months Appointed By Attendance 2025/26
     
    St Nicolas CofE Academy
    Register of Interests 2025-26
    DATE OF DECLARATION NAME Date of Appointment Term of Office Appointed By BUSINESS / PECUNIARY INTERESTS START & (CESSATION) DATE OF INTEREST EDUCATIONAL ESTABLISHMENTS START & (CESSATION) DATE OF INTEREST RELATIONSHIPS
    02/12/2025 Christopher Routledge 04/10/2022 N/a Ex-Officio • St Nicolas Church PCC and affiliated trusts; • 8 September 2022;
    • St James church PCC and affiliated trusts; • 8 September 2022;
    • George Eliot hospital Chaplaincy;  • July 2024
    24.09.25 Ian Meikle 01/09/2024 N/a Ex-Officio Nil Return
    24.09.25 Sapna Dave 06/09/2023 1 Elected by Parents Co-opted Governor at Milby Primary 01.10.2022 Co-opted Governor at Milby Primary 01.10.2022 N/A
    24.09.25 Nicola Hoare 30/05/2018 3 DBE Nil Return
    17/11/2025 Dawn Beasley 01/05/2026 3 DBE Etone College, I am a Teacher 01.09.2003
    16/01/2026 Suzanne Ellis N/a ABP Nil Return
    24.09.25 Helen Allred 22.01.2024 None St Nicolas CofE Academy • Governor at St Nicolas Academy ; • March 2000; My husband, Paul Allred, is Chair of Governors at Queens Academy.
    • Governor at Queens Academy • September 2013
    11/08/2025 Clare Holland-Turner 14.05.2024 1 Elected by Staff Governor at Higham Lane School 01.10.2014
    24.09.25 Ekta Porter 24.01.25 1 Elected by Parents Nil Return
    19/11/2025 Chris Jordan 29.04.2025 1 AGC Nil Return
    05/02/2026 Valerie Bottrill 18.08.2025 1 DBE Nil Return
    AGC Members who have left in the last 12 months
    DATE OF DECLARATION NAME Date of Appointment Term of Office Appointed By BUSINESS / PECUNIARY INTERESTS START & (CESSATION) DATE OF INTEREST EDUCATIONAL ESTABLISHMENTS START & (CESSATION) DATE OF INTEREST RELATIONSHIPS