As an Academy, Alameda School Governors are responsible for the overall strategic direction of the school. We are responsible for ensuring that the school is run in accordance with the Articles of Association and the Funding Agreement with the Department for Education

Welcome to the section of the website where you can find out more about the school’s governors, and the work that we do. Within England, there are over 300,000 School/Academy Governors, who form the largest volunteer force in the country.

The Alameda governing body has a key role in monitoring the work of the school and ensuring that the leadership of the school is effective in ensuring that all children are making the best progress possible, that they are safe and that the academy has a clear strategic direction. Ultimately we deliver the vision “that Alameda is an inspiring and dynamic learning environment where all individuals are valued and everyone has the opportunity to achieve their best”.

As an academy governor we act as the critical friend to the headteacher and the senior leadership team, and provide support and challenge.

The key responsibilities of the governing body include:

• ensuring the quality of educational provision
• challenging and monitoring the performance of the academy
• ensuring good financial health
• supporting the SLT in selection & management of staff

The individual Governors, and subsequently members of a Governing Body, work collectively to perform a strategic role and carry out key functions such as:

• discuss and set the aims and objectives for the Academy.
• set the required policies for achieving those aims and objectives.
• set the required targets for achieving those aims and objectives.
• monitor and evaluate the progress that the Academy is making towards it’s set aims and objectives.

We have worked collaboratively with the staff and leadership to develop the schools’ aims and values:

• Engaging with and supporting the school’s values
• Achieving our best in everything we do
• Collaboration & Community
• Preparing for Change

The Governing Body meets at least once every term.

There are several categories of governor, appointed by different groups that have an interest in the school. These are Community Governors, the Local Authority (“LA”), Parents, and Staff.  All governors have equal status.

The body consists of the following members;

Chair of the Governing Body

Nicolette Ford: Nicolette has lived in Ampthill for a number of years. She became a parent governor at Alameda in 2020. She has been a governor in the Ampthill schools since 2014 and is currently the Chair of Governors at Alameda. Prior to having her children Nicolette worked as an employment solicitor where she worked closely with a number of schools. Nicolette has 3 children, all of whom attended Alameda and have now moved onto upper school and University. Nicolette enjoys using her skills and experience to make a positive contribution to the school and being part of the close Ampthill community.

Governors

Claire Atkins Morris: Claire Atkins Morris lives in Ampthill and has a child at Alameda and a child at Firs Lower school. She is the Sustainability Director at Sodexo, a global leader in sustainable food and workplace experiences, employing over 30,000 people in the UK and Ireland. The role involves driving sustainable growth, improving quality of life, and contributing to social and environmental progress. Strong governance, strategic direction, change management principles, risk mitigation, and commercial acumen underpin the role.

Within Sodexo, she is accountable for delivering the mission of the Stop Hunger Foundation, a registered charity with its own governing body and operating structure. She is an EMCC registered coach, supporting senior executives to navigate the challenges of a complex organization and reach their potential.

She is a football coach with the local Firs team, advocating for girls' access to the sport and promoting inclusion. She has a Masters in Business and the environment and is a Chartered Environmentalist. She believes in the power of education for social mobility, skills and personal development, increased opportunities, and the beneficial impact on communities around the school.

Community Governors

Sarah has been as a parent governor at the school since 2017.  She is a member of the Curriculum and Standards committee. 

Her previous background includes working for HSBC for over 10 years as a Customer Service Manager then a Project Manager in London.

Sarah is currently a self-employed Project Manager in the construction industry working with over 30 builders in the Herts, Beds and Bucks Area.

Sarah has two children who have both attended Alameda Middle School.

She has spent time volunteering at Russell Lower School as a parent helper. This involved attending numerous trips with the school as well as classroom work.  She has gained a good understanding of the everyday working of a classroom and the challenges they face.

Parent Governors

Sonia Stean: Sonia Stean has lived in the local area for over 14 years and has two children at Alameda. She is a practising solicitor for ICAEW in the Professional Standards Department and prior to that was in Criminal Defence work. Sonia specialised in defending youth clients at the Magistrates Court and working closely with the Youth Offending Service which gave her great insight into the challenges children face at school, the peer pressures/acceptances in social circles, and also the issues they face in the wider community including County Lines. 

Sonia takes a great interest in inclusivity and diversity and embracing different cultures, breaking any divides and tackling unconscious bias. Sonia considers that she can contribute and add value to the School and the children in a positive way

Lisa Griffin: Lisa Griffin lives in Ampthill and has children at Alameda and Redborne schools. Lisa has over 20 years’ experience working in mainstream and special schools in management positions ranging from Expressive Arts Faculty Leader, Head of Drama, and Complex Needs Leader.  

Her passions are within the ‘Arts’ and SEND. She has previously supported schools with curriculum and development, liaised with Midland schools as an Arts Adviser, and has been involved in projects such as setting up Luton’s first Open Orchestra for disabled students. 

 

Alex Bluck: Alex Bluck has lived in the local area for the past 8 years and has two children with one currently at Alameda. In her professional career, Alex has over 20 years of experience in finance, working across a number of different industries including hospitality and the education sector. Alex is a member of the Resources Committee.

 

Alex experienced multiple education systems when growing up – completing all her schooling in France before going on to study in the United Kingdom, Germany and Belgium. This has given her a broad and diverse perspective on educational systems and governance and supports her passion in creating inclusive environments that respects and celebrates diversity. Alex believes strongly in fostering an inclusive and supportive environment that enables every child to thrive.

 

Associate Governors

Helen Moore: Helen Moore has lived in Ampthill for 16 years and has a son who previously attended Alameda, and has now made the move to Redborne Upper School. Helen has over 20 years’ experience in Human Resources, working in a number of blue chip and large corporate businesses enabling her to offer a people and business perspective to the Governing Board and the strategic direction of the school.  Helen is an accredited Mental Health First Aider, and has a passion for all things health and wellbeing.

Being a governor at Alameda is both rewarding and fulfilling, we are always pleased to receive comments and observations from parents. In order to facilitate this, any of the governors can be contacted via the school.

We welcome enquiries about joining the governing body and are constantly looking for new governors to diversify our membership in terms of age, skills, life experience and ethnicity. We are also keen to maintain our representation of parents of students.

If you wish to know more, or are interested in becoming a governor, please contact us care of the School Office. office@alamedamiddleschool.org.uk. Or you can contact the Chair of Governors via email. clerk@alamedamiddleschool.org.uk

	Articles of Association	[pdf 355KB]
	Attendance 2024-2025	[pdf 165KB]
	Attendance 2023-2024	[pdf 34KB]
	Attendance 2022-2023	[pdf 44KB]
	The Companies Act 2006	[pdf 196KB]
	Register of Interests October 2025	[pdf 219KB]
	Funding agreement	[pdf 3MB]
	Governor Code of Conduct 2025-2026	[pdf 203KB]
	List of Governors 140426	[pdf 68KB]
	Memorandum of Association	[pdf 1MB]
	Standing Orders for Governing Board 2025-26	[pdf 314KB]
	Terms of Reference Curriculum & Standards 2025-2026	[pdf 326KB]
	Terms of Reference Pay Committee 2025-2026	[pdf 221KB]
	Terms of Reference Resources Committee 2025-2026	[pdf 333KB]