Governor List
Our Governing Body
Lisa Mason
Stephen Rayner
What responsibilities do you currently have as a governor?
I rejoined the governing body in October 2022 as a community governor. I am Chair and Lead Governor for Safeguarding
What do you do when you’re not being a governor?
I was a school teacher for several years and had leadership roles in secondary schools in the West Midlands. Since 2017, I’ve been a lecturer at the University of Manchester, where I mainly teach on educational-leadership programmes and I’m currently Deputy Head of The Manchester Institute of Education. We live locally and have five grandchildren.
What personal contribution do you hope to make to the work of the governing body?
I’ve rejoined the governing body of the school that serves the community where I was born. This is an important motivator for me. As Lead Governor for Safeguarding, I work closely with the Designated Safeguarding Lead and other staff to make Forge the safest and most welcoming place possible for our students to be and to learn. My teaching background enables me to understand the challenges facing teachers and support staff. Working now in a university, I am particularly interested in how we prepare our students for their lives as adults, whether in higher education, apprenticeships or the world of work.
What are the most important things that Ormiston Forge Academy needs to do during the next year?
We must make Forge even safer, more inclusive and more tolerant. We want our students to be happy in their achievements, to feel that they have done the best they possibly could, and to go on to be successful while remembering their time in Forge with pleasure and satisfaction.
What are your hopes for the long-term future of Ormiston Forge Academy?
I would like to see the post-16 provision grow in popularity, retain our Key Stage 4 students and attract young people from across the wider area, so that Forge is the provider of choice for an all-through education from primary school to higher education and employment.
Alex Bell
What responsibilities do you currently have as a governor?
I joined the governing body in 2023 as a staff governor.
What do you do when you’re not being a governor?
I hold responsibilities at Forge in the areas of inclusion, behaviour and student welfare.
What personal contribution do you hope to make to the work of the governing body?
I hope to represent the views of staff and students in a way that benefits the whole school community.
What are the most important things that Ormiston Forge Academy needs to do during the next year?
To build on the previous year’s academic progress whilst ensuring our students are confident, rounded individuals ready for the world of work.
What are your hopes for the long-term future of Ormiston Forge Academy?
To continue to evolve in ways which are beneficial to the students and wider community.
Nicola Derrer-Rendall
| What responsibilities do you currently have as a governor? I am a new governor joining the governing body for the new academic year 2023/24. What do you do when you’re not being a governor? I am a mum of 2 with one of my children currently attending Ormiston Forge Academy. I am also a Psychology Lecturer and Chartered Psychologist working at the University of Wolverhampton, where I am completing a Doctorate in Education part-time. I also hold the role of vicechair of governors at Sledmere Primary School and am a generally very busy person. I don’t get a lot of free time, but I do really enjoy walking, swimming and travelling. What personal contribution do you hope to make to the work of the governing body? As a parent governor I hope to present the voice of parents and carers and ensure that this is heard. Having a child in the school allows me to see all perspectives when decisions need to be made and the school needs support and to be challenged. As a Psychologist, I hope to bring the skills and attributes I have developed through my work to assist in supporting, empowering and developing the school and the forge community to achieve its/their full potential. What are the most important things that Ormiston Forge Academy needs to do during the next year? Schools should always be developing and reflecting and this should be a focus over the coming year at Forge. This is essential to maintain and improve both the students experience and achievement, as well as provide an environment attractive to the highest calibre of staff to encourage them to join a successful and ambitious school. A focus on students feeling safe and supported must be a priority, along with an excellent learning experience and greater opportunities for the development of new and transferable skills. What are your hopes for the long-term future of Ormiston Forge Academy? I hope that Ormiston Forge will stay on its current upward trajectory of engaging with parents and carers effectively, developing through reflective learning and continuing to strive for excellence in its students and staff. |
Lisa Chung
MFL Lead Practitioner in an all through (nursery to secondary) ARK school and also the school’s Secondary Enrichment Lead. Studying for the NPQSL and Coaching Level 5 Certificate. Previously a Head of Department for MFL at a school in London. Graduate of the Education Endowment Fund/Chartered College of Teaching Accelerate Programme and holds an MA in Education in Leadership and Innovation. Additionally, sits on the Council of Association for Language Learning.
Rhiannon Martyn
What responsibilities do you currently have as a governor?
I am a community governor. I am Chair of the Finance & General Purposes Committee.
What do you do when you’re not being a governor?
I work at the University of Warwick as a professional services manager. Am also a part-time student at Warwick studying for a masters degree in career coaching. I live in Birmingham and spend quite a bit of time knitting and reading.
What personal contribution do you hope to make to the work of the governing body?
Through my career I have extensive experience of education at all levels as a leader and manager. I am a great believer in the life-enhancing value of education and lifelong learning, and that it should be accessible to everyone.
What are the most important things that Ormiston Forge Academy needs to do during the next year?
The most important thing for Forge is to keep moving forwards in spite of the additional challenges facing schools, and to do so with humour, humility and heart.
What are your hopes for the long-term future of Ormiston Forge Academy?
I want Forge to keep going from strength to strength in terms of the outcomes for pupils (not only academic achievement), the satisfaction and success of its staff, its place in the community, its profile in the Ormiston Academy Trust, and beyond. I want to ensure that the excellent foundations that have been laid have the durability and flexibility to enable Forge to have a long-lasting, rich and prosperous legacy.
Gemma Keen
What responsibilities do you currently have as a governor? I’m a community governor and also part of the Student Experience committee.
What do you do when you’re not being a governor? I am the lead practitioner for geography (South and West) for Ormiston Academies Trust. I travel in and around these regions working with geography departments to further their geography curriculums.
What personal contribution do you hope to make to the work of the governing body? I hope to visit Forge regularly and interact with pupils to see and hear about their experiences at school.
What are the most important things that Ormiston Forge Academy needs to do during the next year? Continue to build on their results at all key stages whilst providing enrichment and Youth Social Action opportunities.
What are your hopes for the long-term future of Ormiston Forge Academy? That it will be classified as an Outstanding school.
Fabrice Vinson
Took on the role of Head of Estates in 2020 following a 5 year estates consultancy contract at OAT.
Held senior roles within leading project management and consultancy practices, with particular focus on the Education sector over his 25 years industry experience.
Fabrice is passionate in delivering value for money projects to quality and programme having worked on numerous academies and Building Schools for the Future (BSF) schemes under the DfE/ESFA frameworks over his career
Catherine Smith
What responsibilities do you currently have as a governor? I joined the governing body in 2023 as a parent governor.
What do you do when you’re not being a governor? Primarily I am mom of two children, one who has just started at Forge. My day job is Head of Service Management & Support in a local NHS Trust, a very busy and challenging role. I am also the vice chair of governors at Netherbrook Primary School. When I do have any free time I can generally be found either running, swimming or cycling.
What personal contribution do you hope to make to the work of the governing body?
As a parent I have a vested interest in ensuring that the school is doing a great job for my children. My role as a Parent Governor will allow me to provide support, and challenge, to the school to ensure that they are doing a great job for every child. I passionately believe that the work undertaken at school builds the foundations that our children need to achieve their dreams, goals and ambitions – along with making happy, confident and healthy individuals. As a governor I hope to take a small role in ensuring that Forge continues to provide an excellent starting point for our children.
What are the most important things that Ormiston Forge Academy needs to do during the next year?
I am very new to the work of secondary schools but I have been impressed with our experience at Forge over the past few months. For the coming year I would like the school to continue to ensure that all children are supported, challenged and encouraged to reach their potential. To ensure that the school is an inclusive and happy place to be and that children feel safe, secure and able to learn.
What are your hopes for the long-term future of Ormiston Forge Academy?
Over the longer term I would like to see Forge continue to grow on academic achievements across all students and to continue to provide a wide range of enrichment activities to all students. I would like the school to be the ‘go to place’ to attract excellent teaching and support staff.
Rachel Thomas
Rachel has worked in the Further Education, Corporate and L&D field for many years, holding a range of senior leadership positions. These have included strategic and operational planning, performance management, business development, business transformation and programme delivery management.
Has extensive experience in leading large teams, including succession planning and developing apprenticeship and corporate training programmes. Rachel is passionate about empowering people to reach their full potential and become the best versions of themselves. Her commitment to self-development tools and techniques has been integral to not only her own personal growth, but also to hundreds of individuals in many businesses.
Holds a Postgraduate Diploma in HR, Organisational Development & Change and a Degree in Business & Tourism Management along with teaching and coaching qualifications. Passionate about lifelong learning and reciprocating this through consulting with clients up to international level and identifying business needs, workforce solutions and transforming people and systems.
Adrian Melia
Davinia Thompson
What responsibilities do you currently have as a governor?
I was appointed as a community governor in July 2023.
What do you do when you’re not being a governor?
I’m a mum to two children at primary and secondary schools within the area. I’m also a Learning & Development Consultant for Onyx Learning & Development, where I support digital transformation projects with training and change management, as well as supporting L&D departments with tools and strategies to enhance their learning outcomes.
What personal contribution do you hope to make to the work of the governing body?
I’m particularly interested in student voice and ensuring that students can share their experiences honestly and openly. To also tap into my experience within education as a tutor and current experience as a consultant.
What are the most important things that Ormiston Forge Academy needs to do during the next year?
To continue the fantastic work promoting student and staff well-being ensuring a safe and inclusive school environment.
What are your hopes for the long-term future of Ormiston Forge Academy?
That it can continue to improve and evolve as the needs of our young people evolve. Providing a safe place for students to thrive.