Welcome from David Taylor, LGC Chair

Welcome to the community of Archbishop Holgate’s School. We believe that each young person should have the best possible experience of school life. Our school has been delivering an exceptional quality of education for over 450 years. We value that history and it is a privilege to be a part of it in the 21st Century.

What makes Archbishop Holgate’s an outstanding school is the focus on the Values, Care and Achievement of students. This is the special blend of exceptional teaching and learning; strong pastoral care practitioners and systems; and an important focus on living well together as a community. This is a cord of three strands which weaves together a rope to anchor our young people in the storms of life.

The importance we place on the Christian values of Compassion, Justice, Forgiveness and Trust provide a framework which informs the way we run our school and a model for how to live and work well together even in difficult times. We want all our students to value themselves, each other and those who seek to lead and guide them through their education experience.

The excellence of the curriculum ensures every student is supported to achieve their maximum potential. The team at Archbishop Holgate’s will guide your child on an exciting learning journey during their teenage years. They will be there to provide pastoral support to all students and special care and attention when things get tough. We are committed to offering a breadth and the quality of provision for all pupils. Our staff bring enthusiasm, deep subject knowledge and a love of learning into our classrooms which energises our students and inspires them to do their best work.

The combination of the calibre and commitment of our staff, the personalised learning environment we can offer, the breadth of the curriculum enrichment available, and our distinctive values is what makes Archbishop Holgate’s unique. It is our passion to ensure all our students are well-equipped and resilient, ready to set off into the challenges of the adult world with confidence.

There are many ways you can support the work of the school and Staff and Governors look forward to meeting you when you come along to parents’ evenings, shows, Carol Services or other community events.

I have the joy of serving the school and leading the amazing team of Governors. If you would like become a Governor of the school and be a part of the team and investing your skills, time and energy into the continuing success of Archbishop Holgate’s School then read on to find out more about what’s involved.

When we are recruiting for Governors we will let you know via the Newsletter.

About our LGC

The most important thing about any school is the people in it. At Archbishop’s we are very proud of both our staff and the students and the way they contribute to the calm, positive and productive atmosphere that visitors in the school almost always comment on. We believe that our students are happy at Archbishop’s and see our school as a place where they can achieve and succeed. The LGC is a strong working group committed to the success and welfare of the school community.

Archbishop Holgate’s School is an academy which is part of the Pathfinder Multi-Academy Trust. The role & responsibilities of the Local Governing Committee is defined in the Scheme of Delegation of the Pathfinder MAT.

What makes a good governor?

“The true measure of a nation’s standing is how well it attends to its children – their health and safety, their material security, their education and socialisation, and their sense of being loved, valued, and included in the families and societies into which they are born.”

Unicef

The most important quality is the desire to make a difference to children’s lives through education. In addition to this, attributes that a make a good school governor include:

  • A willingness to have courageous conversations for the benefit of young people
  • A desire to understand & support the local community
  • The ability to work as part of a team
  • An external perspective
  • The time to get involved

What do governors do?

The role of Governor is strategic and focuses on the longer term priorities. Governors do not get involved in the day to day operational aspects of school – this is the job of the Headteacher and his staff. Among other responsibilities they:

  • Set the Vision & Values
  • Be a “critical friend” to Headteacher and other professionals
  • Ensure school is meeting its legal duties e.g. to students with Special Educational Needs & Disabilities, Health & Safety etc.
  • Sit on specific panels to review appeals, exclusions, complaints etc.

How might I become involved?

There are up to 16 Governor roles that make up the Local Governing Committee. There are typically nine Foundation Governors (appointed in consultation with the York Diocese); three staff governors (two elected by staff, plus the Headteacher ex officio); two parent governors (elected by a ballot for which all parents and carers are eligible to vote); and two co-opted governors.

The LGC meets six times every year and governors also belong to one or two of our committees which meet at other times throughout the year. Governors are also linked to specific areas of school life and are expected to visit the school to meet with staff and provide written reports to the LGC.

Foundation Governors have some additional responsibilities to support the spiritual and moral dimension of school life. Some of the Governors also exercise trusteeship of a Charitable Fund which exists to support the work of the school.

We will let you know when there are vacancies on the Governing Body. If you’d like to have an informal discussion about the possibility of becoming a Governor, do contact David Taylor, Chair of the LGC, via the school (chairofgovernors@ahs.pmat.academy).

Local Governing Committee Members

David has been a governor at the school in various roles since 2018.  David has specific interests in school governance, finance and anti-racism.  David is a retired company director who was the co-founder of a specialist technology firm that is now part of a global consulting firm.  David loves to travel, to read non-fiction in particular science or human behaviour, and enjoys live music.  David has lived in the York area since 2002 and is married to Truda and has two sons who both attended the school.

“In my time as a Governor I have been deeply impressed by the passion, commitment and professionalism of the leadership team and staff at the school.”

Prior to joining Archbishop Holgate’s in September 2024, Lucie was Headteacher at Hungerhill School in Edenthorpe, Doncaster.  She has a wealth of leadership experience in an Ofsted outstanding school, having also been an Assistant Headteacher and Deputy Headteacher during her time at Hungerhill, as well as Director of the Teaching and Research School.  Lucie has a particular interest in teaching and learning, bringing evidence-informed practice into the classroom.  Since joining Archbishop Holgate’s, she has been instrumental in leading the school’s improvement journey.

Andy works as a Consultant Histopathologist which is the tissue diagnostic branch of laboratory medicine. He is a member of Christ Church in Heworth. He is deeply committed to the Christian ethos and values of Archbishop Holgate’s School and has been a foundation governor since 2007 with many years as vice chair and most recently chair of Foundation Governors.  Andy is a founding MAT Board member and Chair of the MAT Standards Group.  Andy’s three children all completed their education at Hempland Primary School and Archbishop Holgate’s School some years ago now.  Outside work and school, he enjoys walking, cycling and sailing, and can turn out a respectable sourdough.

Martin and his wife own and run a family business together in York.  They have 4 grown up children who all came through Archbishop Holgate’s School, and have successful careers.  Martin has been a School Governor since 1993, and has served as Chair of Governors at Osbaldwick Primary School and Vice Chair of Governors at St Aelred’s RC Primary School.  He is an active member of York Community Church where he plays the sax in the worship group.  He is a City of York Councillor for Osbaldwick & Derwent Ward.  In the spare time that he does have, Martin plays the tuba with the York RI Development Band, and enjoys a bit of golf.  Martin was awarded the BEM (British Empire Medal) in the Queen’s 2021 New Year’s Honours List for services to the community in York, in particular recognising his many years service as a school governor.

Asha’s connection to the school is deeply personal: she is a mother of two, with one child who graduated from AHS and another currently studying here.  Dedicated to local community service, Asha also serves as a Parish Councillor.  Professionally, Asha is a Lawyer and a Senior Partner at a prominent law firm in India, specialising in commercial, environmental, banking, entertainment and media laws, alongside litigation and arbitration.  She is currently on sabbatical following her relocation to the UK.  Asha’s legal career has always been rooted in social impact. In 2006, she founded Access to Justice, her firm’s pro bono legal aid programme, helping vulnerable individuals escape violence and find safety.  Asha has also spent years mentoring youth from disadvantaged backgrounds, including Afghan and Burmese Rohingya refugees—an experience she finds deeply rewarding.  Asha firmly believes a society’s progress is defined by how it nurtures its youth.  She is honoured to support the AHS team in ensuring no child is left behind and empowering students to lead the conversation.

Amy has been a Staff Governor at the school since 2023. Amy has worked at Archbishop Holgate’s School for 8 years and has been a proactive parent volunteer for nearly 12 years.  Amy’s role at AHS is as the Exams Officer, planning, running and overseeing all external exams for Year 10, 11, 12 & 13, as well as facilitating all internal mock exams for KS 4 & 5.  Amy is married to Nick and all three of her children have excelled at Archbishop’s and have gone on to work in hospitality, scientific research and for His Majesty’s Forces.   Amy believes it is important to have both teaching and support staff represented on the Governing Body and she is very pleased to work alongside the Head, SLT and other staff to help strengthen and support the school in the coming years.

I am a Foundation Governor at Archbishop Bishop Holgate School. I am one of two governors who have a special interest in the SEND provision at the school.  I am an active member of Christ Church Heworth and contribute to the outreach and fellowship of the Church.  I am a retired Humanities teacher. I taught in a York Comprehensive School for fifteen years which I enjoyed very much. I was also a parent of three children in the same school.  I accepted the offer of becoming a governor as I feel I have some insight into the functioning of a school. I also have grandchildren who share their concerns and experiences of school generally . I can hopefully contribute in some small way to the school community.  I feel Archbishop’s school is a community that is working hard to make everyone’s experience fulfilling and rewarding and I am proud to be part of that partnership.

Tim Robinson joined AHS governors in 2024. Tim taught music and RE in a Middlesbrough Secondary Community School for ten years whilst serving as both a year head and subject leader. Ordained in 1991, Tim has served as vicar in both urban and rural settings, latterly in Helmsley until 2021. He still exercises priestly ministry in the Diocese of York through engaging with those who hope to be ordained, and through working with people in conflict. In retirement he is glad to serve Archbishop Holgate’s School as a governor. As well as participating in recent suspension and exclusion panels, Tim is the link governor for church school and the RE curriculum. Tim’s abiding passion is music, as a choral conductor, singer and pianist.

After a career spanning over 35 years in primary education, I retired as Head of a large CE Primary School in Doncaster 12 years ago.  I volunteered as a Governor of a nearby Infant School on my retirement and was Chair of Governors for four years.  Therefore, I can bring to the role of a Foundation Governor of Archbishop Holgate’s School an insight in to the working of effective Governing Bodies.  However, my experience was in the primary sector, so I feel I have a lot to learn about secondary education!  Music has been an abiding interest in my life and I have enjoyed my retirement playing saxophone and piano in a variety of bands and ensembles.  Currently I am a member of a Saxophone Quartet based in York.  I am married with two children, one of whom attended Archbishop Holgate’s School.  We attend St Hilda’s Church in Tang Hall but I play the piano on a regular basis at Christ Church, Stockton Lane.

I retired four years ago after forty years of hospitality management which included twelve years in education both in the state and independent sectors. Prior to this I was a catering craft and management skills trainer with additional responsibilities supporting training in Northern Ireland and Scotland, both on and off shore. Whilst the opportunity to lead and work alongside talented staff at some very large outdoor catering events was a great privilege, even if it was a little stressful at times.
I have been a Foundation Governor for just over a year and thoroughly enjoy engaging with pupils and staff, particularly in my frequent visits now as the Link Role Governor focusing on Health and Safety within the school.
In my spare time I am a treasurer and active member of the Stamford Bridge history group, focusing on research and on the local archaeology. A coordinator of a U3A history group based in Pocklington, and I enjoy attending many of the lectures put on by the York Philosophical Society. Whilst walking in the Lake District and locally with a group swallows most of what time I have left.

Alina is a Foundation Governor and also serves as the SEND Link Governor at AHS. She has experience in both primary and secondary school governance and is passionate about ensuring that every child has access to an inclusive, high-quality education. She is committed to supporting the school community and helping all young people thrive.

Alina has experience teaching in higher education, alongside conducting research into dyscalculia, a specific learning difficulty that can affect mathematical skills. This work has given her a strong appreciation of the importance of understanding and supporting the diverse learning needs of all pupils.

Outside her role as a governor, Alina enjoys getting involved in local community events, reading and gardening. She also loves spending time outdoors and going for walks with her family. She has a son at AHS Key Stage 4.

Stuart is a foundation governor and has a strong interest in supporting educational excellence, good governance and creating opportunities for all young people to thrive. As a parent with children at AHS he is committed to helping ensure that children receive the best educational experience. Stuart has served as a governor in the Trust since 2017 including as Chair at Heworth Primary School.

Professionally, Stuart is a solicitor specialising in insurance, financial services and data privacy. Stuart uses his experience to support leadership and oversight for AHS. He is also a member of the Business in the Community (BITC) Leadership Board for Yorkshire and the Humber.

Outside of his professional and governor roles, Stuart enjoys family life and values the opportunity to contribute to the local community. He is passionate about helping create an environment where every child can flourish and reach their full potential.

Dominic was installed as the 77th Dean of York in November, 2022, prior to spending seven years serving as Dean of the Anglican cathedral in Chicago, before which he was a parish priest in Northamptonshire. He is no stranger to the governance of church schools, having served on a similar body for twelve years in the diocese of Peterborough. He is also proud to be a parent of two sons at AHS.

Jo joined AHS LGC in 2025.  She is a senior civil servant working for national government, based in the Darlington Economic Campus.  She has 2 children at AHS.

Chris joined as a parent governor in 2026.  He is a senior civil servant working for the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, based at the Darlington Economic Campus. Prior to joining the Civil Service, Chris worked in tech roles with IBM and Lehman Brothers and is a qualified CIMA management accountant. He is passionate about science and tech, and the opportunities they can create for young people and the wider economy. Chris and his family moved to York in 2024 from a posting in Singapore and has two children, one attending AHS in Year 8 and another at Badger Hill Primary School in Year 5.

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