Our Academy Committee

About the Academy Committee

As part of Excel Learning Trust’s governance structures, our trust schools have Academy Committees, which are committees of the Trust Board. Our ACs and committee members play an important role by providing support and challenge to our schools, as well as holding a shared vision which is clear, understood and well communicated to all stakeholders and reflects the fundamental values and objectives of the Trust. Our committee members come from a variety of backgrounds and are advocates for the school and for the Trust.

For further information regarding the governance of our Trust and the roles and responsibilities of committee members, trustees and members, please see our Scheme of Delegation, available on our website here.

Our Committee Members

Adam Cooper | Head of School
Term: Post holder

Adam Cooper’s place on the Governing Body is part of his role as Head of School of Knavesmire Primary School. Adam has been at Knavesmire since September 2007, and was appointed in the role of Headteacher in January 2012. In his previous teaching posts, he has taught in schools across York including Clifton Without, Robert Wilkinson and at Ripon Cathedral in North Yorkshire. He has also worked as Lead teacher in Maths and data across the two Local Authorities. Since joining Knavesmire Primary, the school has undergone considerable change including the expansion to a two-form entry school.

Vanessa Huws-Jones | Chair of the Academy Committee
Term: November 2025 – November 2029

Vanessa has lived in York for 25 years and was co-opted as a governor in January 2022. She has twin girls at Knavesmire.  Vanessa has a wealth of educational experience from 16 years of teaching, including 9 successful years in Headship in two schools. She has worked at Local Authority level, leading School Improvement in Leeds until 2011 and now works as a freelance education adviser working independently across the UK and internationally (Scandinavia) supporting and coaching school leaders and teachers.

“Being invited to join the team of dedicated colleagues at Knavesmire Primary has been a privilege. I am very committed to this role; bringing my energy, enthusiasm and passion to the school community continuing to ensure that all our children get the best possible life chances we can offer.”

Joe Maitland | General committee member
Term: March 2025 to March 2029

Joe was elected at a parent governor in 2017. In his day job, Joe is a solicitor at a law firm based principally in Leeds and specialises in Commercial Property law (having previously gained a degree in Philosophy before converting to Law).

Joe is passionate about state education generally and the role that school can play in helping to ensure that all children get the best possible start to life that they can. He hopes to help promote both of those concerns through his work as a governor at the School.

Jackie Gray | General committee member (Vice Chair)
Term: May 2026 to May 2030

Jackie has lived in York for over 20 years and became a co-opted Governor in May 2022 after moving into the Southbank area. In her professional life she is a Solicitor and Director for Privacy, Transparency and Ethics in a national NHS organisation. Prior to that she was a partner in a national law firm in their Leeds based public projects team, where she specialised in the health and education sectors, advising on school building, outsourcing & IT projects. She also advised academy, maintained and independent schools on data protection issues. Jackie is passionate about helping children reach their full potential. She hopes to support the school in her Governor role to provide pupils with the best early learning and personal development opportunities. 

Kay Roantree | General committee member
Term: May 2026 to May 2030

Kay was elected as a co-opted governor in May 2022.

“I am retired and currently care for my 3 grandchildren whilst their parents work. They have all attended the Nursery at Knavesmire Primary School. I had a teaching career of over 35 years in the primary sector, specialising in early years education, and was a Headteacher and Children’s Centre leader for the last 7 years.
I am a passionate supporter of high quality Early Years education and the benefits of developing strong home/school links — both of which provide the firm foundations necessary for each child to make the most of all the further educational opportunities provided and enabling each child to reach their full potential.”

Jon Hodgeon | Parent committee member
Term: June 2026 to June 2030

Jon was elected a parent governor in 2022 and currently has 3 children at Knavesmire Primary school.

Jon is a Detective Inspector who specialises in Fraud and Money Laundering investigations.

Having lived in York since graduating from the University of Newcastle Jon was struck by the role Knavesmire Primary School plays in the wider South Bank community. He is passionate about high quality Early Years education, and in particular the provision offered to SEND pupils.

When not working, Jon is a keen sportsman and enjoys playing rugby with his three girls.

Thom Jones | General committee member
Term: May 2024 to April 2028

Thom has lived in more than a dozen countries and
delivered training in over 70.

He started his professional life as a waiter before going into teaching, then management. He was Director of Operations USA for an international education group before he returned to the UK to work with Trinity College London and now works with a range
of organisations on a wide variety of projects.

He is College Principal for an international programme in
Cambridge each summer. He presents regularly around the world on a range of topics and is a guest lecturer at four universities.

He has two children at KPS and has always been hugely impressed by the school and its commitment to the community. As someone who trains teachers and inspects international schools, he is hoping some of that may help him as one of the KPS
governors.

Academy Committee meeting minutes

Register of business interests

Knavesmire Primary School – Committee Business Interests 2026-27

Knavesmire Primary School – Governor Business Interests 2025-26

Committee Attendance

Knavesmire Primary School – Committee Attendance 2025-26

Contacting the Academy Committee

All correspondence should be directed to the school email or postal address, and be clearly marked ‘For the Attention of the Academy Committee’.