Academy Advisory Council

Each AAC consists of a group of people who could be parents, community nominees, Academy staff and, with a minimum of 5 people. They will meet with the Academy Principal and the Associate Principal where appropriate.

In attendance at these meetings will be Link Trustees and a member of the Trust Leadership Team. This is to ensure that the voice of the local stake holders is heard first-hand by the Board of Trustees. The Chair of the Trust and the Chief Executive Officer will attend at least one Academy Advisory Council meeting per year.

The current Academy Advisory Council members are:

Chair: Dominic McDermott

I first started at Hinde House Primary School twenty years ago and soon developed a passion for taking learning beyond the four walls of the classroom.  I now run Beyond The 4 Walls Limited and can still be seen, outside, at Hinde House Primary every week in addition to working across a number of schools in Sheffield.  

When not at work, I can be found walking, running, cycling or swimming with my family - Jackie, Freddie, Hamish and Buddy, the school dog!  

Jane Robinson (Trustee – Brigantia Learning Trust)

Jane sits on the board of Trustees for Brigantia Learning Trust and works as a freelance interim manager, supporting businesses and solving their problems. After over 20 years in engineering and manufacturing, in 2018 Jane successfully exited the laser cutting and engraving business she co-founded in 2003, during which time she also served as a Regional Advisory Board Member of the EEF (now Make UK). Jane is also a Member of the Company of Cutlers in Hallamshire. In her role of Trustee with Brigantia Learning Trust, she continues her work to promote STEM subjects and encourage young people to think outside the box in their career choices.

Dan Cross ( Principal – HHA)

Dan is our Principal at HHA

Clerk - Lynne Codd (Governance Professional & Compliance Officer)

Secretary - Amanda Jenkinson (PA to the Principal at Hinde House)

Nemo Abdi (Parent Member – HHS/HHP)

Nemo is a parent representative on the Hinde House AAC and has been since it was formed in October 2019. Nemo has previously worked with adults with learning disabilities and is now a stay-at-home mum to her 4 children. Over the years, Nemo has worked as an advocacy worker, community development worker and interpreter. She has a degree in Psychology from Sheffield Hallam University. Nemo has been involved in view community groups, such as Burngreave Mothers which is group of mothers trying to get their children off the streets and give them a safe environment to play and interact with other children. Most of Nemo’s time is spent with her children, but when she does get a chance, she enjoys swimming and adventure walks. She also enjoys working with people, especially those with special needs, as she says this is very rewarding and humbling.

Rebecca Roberts (Parent Member – HHP)

Rebecca has been involved with the academy for over 4 years, originally acting as a parent governor at Hinde House Primary Phase. She joined the team to play an active role in the development of the organisation and to provide a mental health stand-point for both employees and children. She is currently a parent AAC member and her daughter attends Hinde House Primary Phase.

Rebecca is a mental health nurse in Sheffield, working for a community-based assessment team, and has been nursing for over 10 years. Her background is in assessment and treatment of mental health, however, she has been heavily involved in the development and reformation of services. She has also been involved in inspections and evaluations of services, ensuring they meet CQC standards.

When not at work Rebecca spends time driving her daughter to various after school activities, including theatre school and gymnastics, for which she is part of the fundraising team. They enjoy playing games, the theatre and crafting together when not involved in the community.

Monika Rolle (Parent Member)

 Sarah Harney-Levine (Parent Member)

 Emma Dickie (Parent Member)

Nicky Jowitt (Parent Member)

The Brigantia Learning Trust Board has established five key roles for Academy Advisory Councils:

• To advise/act as a critical friend to the Principal of the Academy;
• To advise the Trustees about local issues they need to consider that affect the Academy;
• Represent the interest of the Academy community in the running of the Academy;
  Represent the Academy in its community;
• Provide support to the Principal in undertaking appropriate day to day procedures that are essential to the life of the Academy.

The five roles translate specifically into the following tasks that the AAC undertakes:

• It acts as a key link between the Academy, parents and local community;
• It supports the work of the Academy in the community;
• It supports the Principal and Academy Leadership Team in the development and implementation of the Academy Development Plan and other relevant plans, ensuring that the Brigantia Learning Trust ethos remains at the heart of the Academy community;
• It helps on the ground with the implementation of certain Academy policies;
• It offers challenging but positive and proactive support to the Principal;
• It regularly discusses the Academy’s performance in relation to the KPIs (Key Performance Indicators)