Introduction
I consider it a great honour and privilege to be Chair of the Governing Body at The Morley Academy. In March 2009 we were judged to be Outstanding by Ofsted in all aspects of our work; student care, teaching and learning, curriculum and students’ achievement. Following our May 2013 Inspection we were re-designated as Outstanding. I am delighted that the Ofsted inspections recognised the strength and professionalism of the academy and the dedication of all teaching and non teaching staff.
The usual guidance to governors is that they should act as ‘critical friends’ to the academy, and whilst The Morley Academy governors have done just that they have also gone appreciably further.
Wholehearted support of our excellent Chief Executive Officer, Sir John Townsley, Executive Principal: 11 – 16 Education, Leanne Griffiths and staff has been combined with a questioning and inquisitive approach that has emanated from a clear desire, on the part of all, to see the academy continue to flourish.
Individually and collectively governors have involved themselves in the life of the academy, both in the creation of the vision and strategy for improvement and in the support of the many and varied activities which exist in, and help characterise, our top class academy. As governors we know our academy and are closely involved in its day-to-day running and development.
By questioning, supporting and, when necessary, challenging, the governing body has played a major role in the academy’s journey to becoming Outstanding.
We are now, not only working with all professionals in The Morley Academy but professionals across The GORSE Academies Trust, in our aim to become ‘world class’; an aim which we genuinely believe to be achievable.
So, I reiterate my delight with the progress which the academy has made, the status which it now enjoys, and its prospects for the future. The governing body will do all in its powers to try and ensure the continuation of progress which has been made in recent years.
– Karen Lawson.
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| Name | Category | Date of Appointments | End of Term of Office | Area of responsibility | Voting Rights | Declaration of Interests | Other establishments they govern | Any relations within the academy | 2023/24 Attendance | 2024/25 Attendance | 2025/26 Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ian Craigen (Vice Chair) |
Community | 27/02/2025 | 26/02/2029 | Finance PPM |
Yes | None | None | Malcolm Craigen (father) – Assistant Site Manager – The Morley Academy | 3/3 | 3/3 | 3/3 |
| Karen Lawson (Chair) | GORSE Appointed | 24/06/2026 | 23/06/2030 | PPM | Yes | None | The Farnley Academy | Faye Hinchliffe – Step Daughter – Teaching Assistant The Farnley Academy – September 2018 | 3/3 | 3/3 | 3/3 |
| Barbara Connon | GORSE Appointed | 24/06/2026 | 23/06/2030 | SEND | Yes | None | None | None | 3/3 | 3/3 | 3/3 |
| Alasdair Cheyne | Community | 07/03/2024 | 06/03/2028 | Safeguarding | Yes | None | None | Angela Cheyne – Wife works at Morley Newlands Academy | 2/2 | 1/3 | 3/3 |
| Dawn Aveyard | Parent | 04/07/2024 | 03/07/2028 | Pupil Premium/ Disadvantaged |
Yes | None | None | None | 0/1 | 1/3 | 2/3 |
| Bella Andriasyan | Parent | 04/07/2024 | 03/07/2028 | CEIAG | Yes | None | None | None | 1/1 | 2/3 | 2/3 |
| Scott Stirk | Staff | 02/07/2025 | 01/07/2029 | Health & Safety | Yes | None | None | I am married to Gemma Stirk who is a member of the teaching staff at TMA | – | 1/1 | 2/3 |
| Matthew Turton | Principal | N/A | N/A | Yes | None | Chair of Trustees/Governors at Acorn Free School | None | – | – | 3/3 | |
| Abigail Rowley | Community | 29/09/2025 | 28/09/2029 | Yes | – | – | 0/3 | ||||
| Gareth Cleasby | Community | 02/02/2026 | 01/02/2030 | Attendance | Yes | None | None | None | – | – | 2/2 |
