Academy Council
Cambridge Meridian Academies Trust a Company limited by guarantee, registered in England & Wales. No. 7552498.
Registered Office: Meridian Trust Offices, Fen Lane, Sawtry, PE28 5TQ
Tel: 01223 491600
Email: enquiries@meridiantrust.co.uk
Details of the Trust Members and Directors can also be found here: Board of Trustees – Meridian Trust
Details of the Trust financial records can be found here: Finance Documents and Funding Agreements – Meridian Trust
Each academy within the Trust retains their own Academy Council (formally known as the local Governing Body).
While the Trust is the employer of all staff, it has delegated powers to the Academy Councils to exercise governance arrangements for the Academy within the Trust.
Academy Council
The Academy Council is focused upon the individual school context, monitoring standards and achievement, and their local community needs and aspirations.
- Setting strategic priorities and plans
- Monitoring standards and achievement within the school
- Ensuring Trust policies are implemented
- Engaging with all stakeholders to improve outcomes
- Supporting and positively challenging practices within the Academy, through the School Leadership Team.
Each Academy Councillor takes on the role of ‘Champion’ for a particular area, in which he/she holds the Academy leadership to account by providing challenge from their local knowledge and support from their own wider experiences. The Champions link with the Trust leadership and directors to represent the interests of the Academy. The Academy Council meets as a full body six times in the year. There are no committees.
Members of the Academy Council can be contacted directly through the Clerk: Governance@meridiantrust.co.uk
GPUTC Academy Council
Esther Norton: Chair Trust Appointed (Term 13.04.26- 12.04.30)
Mark Nightingale: Vice Chair & Finance & Resources
Champion Trust Appointed (Term 10.03.25- 09.03.29)
Andrea Wilson : Standards & Curriculum Champion Trust Appointed (Term 20.11.23- 19.11.27)
Vacant: Student Experience Champion
Clare Watchorn: SENDV Champion Trust Appointed (Term 25.04.25- 24.04.29)
Rukhsana Akhtar: Parent Forums / Community Parent Elected (5.12.23- 4.12.27)
Ashli Philips: Welfare Champion Parent Elected (Term 20.03.25- 19.03.29)
Lee Mawby: Principal Principal (Term: ex officio)
Vicky Lloyd: Safeguarding Champion Senior Trust Colleague (Term 01/09/25 – 31/8/29)
Sophie Raven: Clerk
Mike Griffiths: Trustee