Governance and Accounts

North West Academies is focused on delivering the best outcomes for pupils, alongside accountability. We are proud to have a team who bring with them a wide range of professional and personal experience to support and challenge both our trust and its schools.

North West Academies Trust

Rudheath Senior Academy has been a part of North West Academies Trust (NWAT) since November 2018.

NWAT offers support to monitor the role of the Academy at an operational day-to-day level and review:

  • The management and organisation of the Academy.
  • The implementation of the decisions of the Head Teacher.
  • Performance in relation to targets and standards.
  • The implementation of policies monitoring student welfare and behaviour.
  • The implementation of policies.
  • The implementation of all extended school activities.

NWAT Terms of Office and Register of Interests

North West Academies Trust can be contacted through the following ways:

Trust Name North West Academies Trust (NWAT)
Name of Trust CEO Mr Steve Docking
Trust Postal Address The Coach House
Union Street
Chester
CH1 1QP
Trust Telephone Number 01244 566167
Trust Email Address administrator@northwestacademies.co.uk

The Trust is a charitable body offering advice, support, expertise and a strategic overview to several academies in Cheshire and Shropshire.

It is passionate about supporting schools within their community and helping to ensure outstanding learning opportunities for every child. The trust, and its schools, aspire to excellence in education and this is underpinned by The Seven Principles of Public Life: Selflessness; Integrity; Objectivity; Accountability; Openness; Honesty and Leadership.

Accounts – North West Academies Trust Limited

All academies have to produce audited accounts which must be submitted to the EFA and displayed on the school’s website. Our auditors are Mitchell Charlesworth, Chester.

Local Governing Body

Our current structure of the Local Governing Body is shown below. Representations to the Governing Body can be made in writing to the Clerk to the Governing Body – Mrs Emma Sayle – who is contactable at the following address:

Governing Body
The Rudheath Senior Academy
Middlewich Road
Cheshire
CW9 7DT

Name Date Appointed Expiry Date Business Interests
Stephen Klein (Chair of Governors) 1st September 2021 1st September 2025 Director/Founder of “Programme”, a family-owned fitness and wellbeing app.

Wellbeing Consultant/Mentor in Schools. Services include mentoring, delivery of workshops, staff support, assemblies, all as an Independent Trader.
Edie Jardine (Staff Governor) 1st November 2021 1st November 2025 Employed at Rudheath Senior Academy as Children’s Advocate.
George Hartley 1st November 2020 1st November 2024 Headmaster, King’s School, Chester, since September 2007.

Governor, Merchant Taylors’ School, since May 2020.

Trustee, Platform for Life Charity, since April 2019.
Hayley Jordan 1st May 2021 1st May 2025 Bursar at King’s School, Chester.
Mark Jones 10th January 2022 10th January 2026 None declared.
Stuart Hayes (Parent Governor) 1st October 2021 1st October 2025 None declared.
Victoria Rigby 1st March 2021 1st March 2025 Victoria Rigby Consultancy (education consultancy), since 2012.

Professional support provided to school through DfE funded support, 2017-2019.
Zoe Perkins 1st March 2021 1st March 2025
Director of an educational consultancy business specialising in SEND assessment and support.
Sam Naylor 1st August 2021 1st August 2021 Cheshire West and Northwich Town Councillor.

Chair of Northwich Regeneration Forum.

North West Academies Trust Board

North West Academies is focused on delivering the best outcomes for pupils, alongside accountability. We are proud to have a team who bring with them a wide range of professional and personal experience to support and challenge both our trust and its schools.

The Trustees are responsible for setting the strategic direction of the Trust. They are accountable for the performance of the Trust schools and ensure financial probity.

Further information about the North West Academies Trust governance structure can be found by clicking here.