Our Governors

Address: RSA Academy, Bilston Road, Tipton, DY4 0BZ
Contact: ChairOfGovernors@rsaacademy.org
I taught for 21 years, in four different schools, and worked in three local authorities in roles ranging from County Mathematics Inspector to Chief Education Officer. After this I joined Ofsted as one of Her Majesty’s Inspectors (HMI). More recently I have acted as an independent consultant to a group of schools in the West Midlands before fully retiring. I am a former President of the Mathematical Association. My brief on the governing body is to maintain an overview of academic standards, the curriculum and the quality of teaching.

Term of office ends – March 2020

The Chair can be contacted by writing to him at the academy address

I’m delighted to join the Governing Body at Tipton. I’ve been a secondary school Governor in Northamptonshire for 10 years and a Fellow of the RSA since 1999 and believe passionately that a good education and skills to manage in the wider world is the best thing we can give all school students. I have a background in HR management in both the public and private sector and aim to bring this experience to help further develop the Academy.

Term of office ends – August 2021

Hi! My name is Simon Foley and I am the Community Governor. I have a particular responsibility for Safeguarding and Special Educational Needs. You can be assured that I will do all I can to ensure the Academy is a safe and inclusive learning environment for your child.

Term of office ends – August 2021

Having grown up within the Tipton community and a previous student of Willingsworth High School, it is my privilege and pleasure to represent our staff as part of the Governing Body.

Term of office ends – May 2022

I am really excited to be joining the board of the RSA Academy Tipton at this stage of the school’s journey.

I currently work for Black Country Consortium Ltd as the head of the County Sport Partnership for the Black Country with accountability for providing the strategic leadership for sport & physical activity across the areas of Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton.

I act as a leading advocate for the integration of sport and physical activity into shared regional agendas and support the social and economic development of the Black Country. I have good experience of working across private and public sectors organisations and have developed key relationships across Public Health, Regeneration, Employment and Skills and Transport.

Fundamental to my approach is my lifelong belief that sport and physical activity can enrich and enable young people’s lives. Having realised many of the benefits sport provides myself gives me the drive and passion to share and shape opportunities for others to do the same.

I am looking forward seeing the school continue to progress and give pupils the experience, knowledge and confidence that will help them to succeed in their chosen field.

Term of office ends – May 2022

I am extremely excited to have joined the Local Academy Governing Board at RSA Academy and I am looking forward to working with pupils, parents and staff at the school to ensure the best possible learning for young people.

I am currently a Senior Partnership Officer at the University of Wolverhampton for Aspire to HE, which is a government funded project aiming to increase the number of young people from the Black Country progressing into Higher Education. As the first in my family to go to university, I am extremely passionate about ensuring all young people fulfil their potential and have access to opportunities that allow them to make ambitious decisions.

Outside of work I love West Bromwich Albion, drawing and I am currently studying for a Master’s in Education with the Open University.

Term of office ends – November 2022

I am delighted to join the Local Academy Governing Board of the RSA Academy Tipton. I am very excited to become part of the RSA Academy family and look forward to working with students, staff and parents during my time as School Governor.

I am an experienced Occupational Health Advisor and work within a Health, Safety and Environment team providing support in matters of Occupational Health and Safety. I believe I can share some of my experience to support the school in its commendable efforts to make the school environment safe for our pupils, staff and parents.

I look forward to contributing towards the school’s journey in creating an environment where students can thrive. 

Term of office ends – November 2022

I am an Education Partnerships Executive and work with schools and educators across England in support of impactful outdoor adventurous learning interventions.

I am also a governor in a primary school, a former teacher, hold an MSc from London University and a Fellow of the RSA.

I am a former Senior Instructor at The Outward Bound Trust’s Ullswater Centre, have climbed mountains on six continents and like getting lost in nature, art and philosophy, sometimes all at the same time!

Term of office ends – February 2022