Chair of Trustees

Mrs E Chandler

I’m Elaine Chandler and have worked in Education for over 30 years.  Until recently I managed a service for Durham Council, supporting parents and carers of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

In late 2019 I retired from working full-time, but continue to work occasionally as an Associate for the Council for Disabled Children, supporting services nationally, to improve their practice.  I also deliver regional training on SEND related issues.   I live in Murton, have two sons and a daughter and two beloved grandchildren.  Anthony is in Y6 and Ava in Y2 at Ribbon Academy.  Both children love the school and so do I.  I feel honoured to have become a Trustee and will do my best to support the school, staff, children and parents wherever possible.

Vice Chair of Trustees

Mr P Garrod

My reason for putting myself forward for Parent Trustee is that I want to be a part of something that ensures children have the best opportunities.

It has been a tough year for everyone, and our children have all missed out on so much, but one place that can always provide opportunities, is a school community. My work has always been focussed around community development in some way with a large part of it focussed on supporting young people making the most of their opportunities and realising their potential.

I enjoy working collaboratively with others and have experience working with and facilitating a number of boards and partnerships. I feel I have something to offer both on a personal and professional level.

Trustee (Chair of Business Committee)

Mr I Stevenson

I am currently chair of the finance committee and sit on several other committees and working groups.

I have over 16 years’ experience working in Education in Local Government. I became a Trustee because I am passionate about high quality education and I wanted to do something to support my local school. I have vast experience and as set of skills from my work in Education which I hope would be of use the school in supporting the Senior Leadership Team and shaping the strategic direction of the school in its efforts to provide a world class education for all the children and young people in Murton with every child achieving their full potential.

I am particularly interested in working with parents and other stakeholders to ensure the school has a positive and a prominent profile in the local community, that we have a culture of openness, a philosophy of constant improvement and that the talents and efforts of our children and staff are nurtured, valued and celebrated. I have a son currently enjoying his education in the school.

Trustee

Mr M Morton

My name is Mike Morton and I began my role as a Community Trustee in 2014. I previously worked at Murton County School while studying Pharmacology at University so I had an understanding of school life.

As a pharmacist in the hub of the local community, I thought it would be an ideal opportunity to become involved with the school. As many of the parent’s use our pharmacy and are familiar with my friendly face and professionalism this makes it easy for them to approach me with any issues they would like me to raise within school.

I have undertaken several Trustee training sessions to enhance my position and I was Chair of the Board for a period of time. I am committed to still having an active role as Trustee within the school.

Headteacher

Mrs A Sheridan

My name is Ashleigh Sheridan and I am incredibly proud to be both Head teacher and a Trustee at Ribbon Academy.

My teaching career began in 1995 (in the last century)! Early experience of leadership and management fuelled my ambition to aspire for roles beyond the classroom. When Ribbon opened in 2006, I became a Key Stage Leader and after a couple of years in this role, I became Deputy Head teacher. The expansive role of Deputy head teacher afforded me a wide range experience and an excellent grounding for my current role of Head teacher, which I began in January 2017.

My dual roles of Head teacher and Trustee afford me the unique and privileged opportunity to influence the strategic direction of Ribbon Academy, which was commended by Ofsted in our 2017 inspection. Ribbon is a very special place full of amazing children and staff, and this is my motivation. We are a caring and inclusive school where all stakeholders want children to succeed not only in their education but, socially and emotionally so that they can cope with life beyond the school gates.

When I not at Ribbon, I enjoy spending time with my family. My husband and two young sons, Archie and Noah, keep me very busy with their love of sport – life is very busy in the Sheridan household! Ribbon has a very bright future and I look forward to what we can achieve together.

Trustee

Miss J Griffiths

My name is Julie Griffiths, I am a local resident of Murton. I was elected as a County Councilor in 2021 as well as serving on the Parish Council.

I have two sons, one son attended Ribbon until July 2021 when he left to start Secondary School and one who still attends in Year 5.

I am an enthusiastic and dedicated Community worker providing activities and resources for the whole community young and old.

It is a privilege and honour to serve on the Board of Trustees and Ribbon and I will enderavour to ensure the children of Ribbon receive the very best we have to honour.

I enjoy walking with my family and dogs and organsing social events for the people of Murton.

Trustee

Mrs H Williams

Hello everyone my name is Hayley Williams and I am one of the parent trustees here at Ribbon Academy. 

The reason I wanted to be a parent trustee is that I have a passion for education, I understand how each adult who has the pleasure of working with children, needs to be part of a wider community team, this of course includes us as parents. We share the responsibility together without child’s/children’s school, to help shape a positive future for every child in our care. 

I feel I can support the school in its commitment to instilling their values of communication, empathy, excellence, positivity, resilience, self-awareness, and teamwork. These values will support each child in developing into an effective adult who is able to make a positive contribution to society. 

As a parent trustee, I will share many similar concerns as other parents and carers with regards to education and the well-being of our children. I will bring these concerns with me in this role and aim to support Ribbon Academy to overcome any challenges they may face at present and over the next 4 years. 

Finally, and most importantly, as a parent trustee representative, I will aim to represent you, the parent, the main care giver, the child’s/children main support system, to be a voice, as a member of the Murton community, and most importantly as a parent. 

Trustee

Mr S Ball

Hi, I’m Steve, Trustee for Ribbon Academy. I joined the Board of Trustees to help ensure that all children and staff have an amazing experience whilst at Ribbon Academy. I have been involved in education for many years, inspiring learners to be creative, and I hope to add my own experiences to support innovative Ribbon initiatives.

The absolutely best part of being a Trustee is walking through the school, experiencing the school in real-time. The classrooms and corridors completely overwhelm me with such amazing illustrations of knowledge, creativity, and imagination!

I am a huge fan of the Ribbon RESPECT virtues – Resilience, Empathy, Self-awareness, Positivity, Excellence, Communication, and Teamwork – virtues which I believe are essential for every child’s learning at Ribbon Academy, and also key for continued studies beyond Ribbon Academy.

Trustee

Mrs D Richardson

Trustee

Mrs K Maddison

Trustee

Miss V Scott

I’m Victoria Scott and my interest in becoming a Parent Trustee is inspired by my love to support my daughter’s already very successful school. I have worked in education for almost 10 years and have gained a wealth of experience, skills set and a strong understanding of the rapidly developing education priorities. I aim to use these to champion Ribbon’s core values, ethos and support their commitment to continuous school improvement.

I am particularly interested in Ribbon’s work on enabling the best possible outcomes for our children evident in the ‘RESPECT’ character traits, ensuring pupil’s social and emotional needs are met which then allows academic success to follow. Through the wider-school community, I have had the opportunity to see how you successfully embody the school’s ‘Growing Together’ vision which makes everyone, who works alongside our children, aware of the important role they play in developing the ‘whole child’ and this rightfully so, includes us as parents / caregivers. I feel that my shared passion for children’s wellbeing, high-quality education and ultimately preparing our children for life outside of school as well as in it, would support any strategic direction with the best interests of our children in mind.   

Although I have no specific experience of school governance, I enjoy working collaboratively and I am dedicated to work alongside other parents and stakeholders to support the school’s ambition that all children access an inclusive, dynamic and enriched education whilst at Ribbon Academy.

Trustee

Mrs S Finn

I’m Sara Finn and when the opportunity arose to become a trustee, I jumped at the chance. I already take a keen interest in Ribbon Academy, a very successful school which my son attends, taking up volunteering opportunities when possible.  

I am passionate not only about my child’s education but also the education of all the children at Ribbon.  

I have worked for the past 13 years for The Civil Service, working in the best interest for customers and the public purse. I believe that I can be relied on to make decisions in the best interest of parents and the school in the same way. My previous roles have been in the banking industry.  

I have some knowledge of finance and grant applications. I work on a voluntary basis as a bar manager at our local cricket club – dealing with financial matters and finding the best avenues to help the bar to run efficiently and make profit. I am proud to say my family played an integral part of reforming the club after closure and have been successfully at the forefront since reforming 11 years ago. 

In my previous role as safeguarding officer, I could be relied upon by parents of the junior teams at the cricket club, dealing with issues and escalating matters if they arise.  

I may not have experience of school governance, but in my career I work collaboratively with staff and external stakeholders effectively, and I know that I can use my experience to support Ribbon Academy and it’s values.