Our multi academy trust, SAET, which is responsible for the operation and governance of all its schools, has delegated local governance functions to an Interim Improvement Governing Board for the 2024-2026 academic years. Our board members are all highly experienced educational professionals who are overseeing a period of rapid improvement for our school. The IIGB works closely with leaders at both school and trust level, but retains our local perspective and community focus. The board meets in full six times a year, and monitors key school functions as part of a Project Board structure alongside trust members. Link governors also visit frequently to monitor improvements in critical areas.
The trust scheme of delegation for governance is available here.
Members:
Polly is Chair of the IIGB and is a retired Director of Education and Executive Headteacher from the independent special school sector. Her area of particular expertise lies in provision for children with SEMH difficulties.
Polly has worked with parents throughout her career in an advisory role, via IPSEA and independently, to ensure that families’ legal rights in relation to SEND are upheld and the welfare of children with special needs is protected. As the parent of a child with complex needs, she has experience of and insight into the challenges faced by families in securing SEND provision as children grow towards adulthood. Polly acts as link SEND governor for the board.
As the co-owner of a Stourport town based business, she has strong local community links and a commitment to full social collaboration between school and community. Polly also acts as governor for two other Worcestershire schools: Chaddesley Corbett Endowed Primary School and Birchensale Middle School.
Chris is the headteacher of South Bromsgrove High, a 13-18 single academy trust of approximately 1350 students in North Worcestershire. He has been headteacher since 2017 and prior to this has had roles as a Head of School, Deputy Headteacher, Assistant Headteacher, Director of Learning, Assistant Head of Science and Head of Biology.
Chris strongly believes in the transformative power of education, particularly for those students from the most disadvantaged backgrounds. As an interim governor he hopes to support the students, staff, parents and carers at Stourport High School by drawing on his 27 years of experience working in education. Chris is the link governor for behaviour at SHS and coordinates Project Board monitoring.
Away from school, Chris is a big rugby fan and enjoys walking in the mountains, both in the UK and around the world.
Luke is Headteacher at an OFSTED outstanding Worcestershire high school. Prior to this, Luke was Headteacher at a Warwickshire secondary school where under his leadership, the school moved from OFSTED Requires Improvement to Good.
Luke initially started his teaching career at Stourport High School teaching French and German. He became Senior Director of Learning before leaving to be Deputy Principal at a Worcestershire Middle School. Luke has a background in behaviour and has also been a Behaviour Advisor for the Department for Education Behaviour Hubs programme, where he supported schools on their behaviour improvement journey.
Luke is also currently a Governor at a Catholic secondary school in Birmingham and has also served on Interim Executive Boards at 2 Primary schools that found themselves in challenging circumstances.
Sandra has 30 years’ experience of working in education across the primary and secondary phase. She is currently the Headteacher of Birchen Coppice Academy, a school in the Victoria Academies Trust; and has also been a headteacher in Birmingham and Sandwell authorities. Sandra strongly believes that a good education has the power to change lives and is particularly passionate about ensuring disadvantaged children and young people receive the very best that we can offer.
Jacqui has 35 years’ experience of working in education across the primary and middle school phases.
From 2016 she was a founding member of the Severn Academies Educational Trust and worked with the Central Team to grow the Trust from two schools to the current eight schools. Until December 2024 Jacqui was the Primary Director for Severn Academies, at which point she semi-retired and became School Improvement Lead across all eight schools.
Jacqui is a champion for all children and their families. As a Governor, she believes that her role is to ensure that students have the educational opportunities and experiences to reach their full potential.
Outside of school Jacqui’s two chocolate labradors Matilda and Mabel, keep her busy!
Melanie is the Director of Health, Safety and Wellbeing at National Highways, specialising in leading in health, safety, and wellbeing for large and complex operations and across a diverse highways sector supply chain. She believes in building excellence through diversity and inclusion and was awarded an OBE in 2025 for services to women, the disabled and the strategic road network.
Melanie has three children who have all attended The Stourport High School. As a Parent Governor she believes that her role is to govern through the lens of parents and students perspectives, ensuring a safe, healthy, and inclusive learning environment for all.
Victoria is passionate about supporting the school community to achieve the best outcomes for all students. She has 25 years of teaching experience, particularly in Early Years education and supporting children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). She is currently a Specialist Teacher working for Wolverhampton City Council and also serves as Safeguarding Lead for her team.
As a parent, with one child attending the school and a younger child at a local primary school, Victoria values the importance of strong partnerships between school and home. She is committed to ensuring that every student feels supported, included, and able to thrive, and brings both professional expertise and a parent’s perspective to her role in providing constructive challenge and support to the school’s leadership.
In her spare time, Victoria enjoys spending time with family and friends. She is also a licensed chaperone and enjoys supporting local dance and youth theatre groups in their rehearsals and performances.