Chair of Governors
Mr Gavin Smith (Chair) - Governor
Date of Appointment: 20.07.2026
Appointed by: Appointed by Governing Body
End of Term: 19.07.2030 (Four years)
Attendance at Meetings 2026/27: 0/0
Attendance at Meetings 2025/26: 4/4
Link: Behaviour and Attendance
Business and/or Pecuniary Interest:
Owner of GLS Properties (Feb 2013)
Owner of TAU Gaming (Dec 2017)
Owner of Wiser Telecoms Ltd (Feb 2004)
Director of Smiths Retail Scarborough Ltd (Sept 2022)
Governance role at another educational institution: None
Relationship with a member of Heartwood Learning Trust staff: None
Contact: chair@gps.hlt.academy
Address: George Pindar School, Moor Lane, Eastfield, Scarborough, YO11 3LW
Our Governors
Carol Firth - Staff Governor (George Pindar School)
Date of Appointment: 17.06.2025
Appointed by: Staff Election
End of Term: 16.06.2029
Attendance at Meetings 2026/27: 0/0
Attendance at Meetings 2025/26: 3/4
Link: None assigned
Business and/or Pecuniary Interest: Employee of George Pindar School
Governance role at another educational institution: None
Relationship with a member of Heartwood Learning Trust staff: None
______________________
Laura Walton (Vice Chair) - Parent Governor
Date of Appointment: 22.05.2024
Appointed by: Parent Election
End of Term: 21.05.2028 (Four years)
Attendance at Meetings 2026/27: 0/0
Attendance at Meetings 2025/26: 3/4
Link: SEND & Pupil Premium
Business and/or Pecuniary Interest: None
Governance role at another educational institution: None
Relationship with a member of Heartwood Learning Trust staff: None
______________________
Jonny Willis - In Attendance
Attendance at Meetings 2026/27: 0/0
Attendance at Meetings 2025/26: 2/2
Business and/or Pecuniary Interest:
Principal at George Pindar School
______________________
Jonathan Newton - In Attendance
Attendance at Meetings 2026/27: 0/0
Attendance at Meetings 2025/26: 4/4
Business and/or Pecuniary Interest:
Principal at Graham School
We currently have Governor vacancies. To apply, please contact our Clerk, Helen.Lowdell@york.gov.uk, for more information.
Additional Information
Marcus Towse - Trust-Appointed Governor
Date of Appointment: 01.09.2024
Appointed by: Trust
Resigned: 31.08.2026
Attendance at Meetings 2026/27: 0/0
Attendance at Meetings 2025/26: 4/4
Link: Standards
Business and/or Pecuniary Interest: None
Governance role at another educational institution: Member at Altus Education Trust (Sept 2020)
Relationship with a member of Heartwood Learning Trust staff: None
______________________
Lesley Welsh - In Attendance
Attendance at Meetings 2024/25: 4/4
Attendance at Meetings 2025/26: 1/1
Resigned: 31.12.2025
Business and/or Pecuniary Interest:
Principal at George Pindar School
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Jocelyn Merris - Trust-Appointed Governor
Date of Appointment: 17.07.2024
Appointed by: Trust Board
Resigned: 16.06.2026
Attendance at Meetings 2026/27: 0/0
Attendance at Meetings 2025/26: 2/4
Link: Safeguarding
Business and/or Pecuniary Interest: Teacher at Scarborough College (Sept 2024)
Governance role at another educational institution: None
Relationship with a member of Heartwood Learning Trust staff: None
______________________
Martin Bell - Staff Governor (Graham School)
Date of Appointment: 09.07.2024
Appointed by: Staff Election
Resigned: 17.07.2026 (Four years)
Attendance at Meetings 2026/27: 0/0
Attendance at Meetings 2025/26: 4/4
Link: Stakeholder Engagement
Business and/or Pecuniary Interest: Employee of Graham School
Governance role at another educational institution: None
Relationship with a member of Heartwood Learning Trust staff: None
Tuesday 29th September 2026, 5pm
Tuesday 8th December 2026, 5pm
Tuesday 2nd March 2027, 5pm
Tuesday 15th June 2026, 5pm
Governor attendances are updated once a term
Current Vacancies
We currently have the following vacancies on our Local Governing Committee:
- Trust Appointed Governor (x2)
- Parent Governor (x1)
- Staff Governor (GRA x1)
Clerk / Trust Governance Support - Helen.Lowdell@york.gov.uk
To become a Governor, please contact the school – hello@gps.hlt.academy
Governors do not need specific skills, but many of the tasks they are required to undertake can benefit from general business knowledge such as understanding management systems, budget planning and HR functions. Local authorities are required to ensure that training for governors is available and most governing bodies buy into their local authority training packages (which may include online learning) to ensure that governors are properly inducted to their role and trained for specific tasks such as appointing a Headteacher and then carrying out the Headteacher’s performance review.
For further information, including Governance documents, please visit our Trust website