Governing Body

The Governing Body are all volunteers and there are currently 14 governors. We include teachers, parents and members of the local and business community. Together we work with the Headteacher and all school staff for the benefit of all the students and staff at John Spendluffe Technology College.

Mrs E Ramm
Chair of Governors

The ethos of the Governing Body and of JSTC is centred on supporting the students to have the highest of aspirations for their future and to provide them with many opportunities to succeed.

As Governors of JSTC we are responsible for overseeing the management side of the school: strategy, policy, budgeting and staffing, including the appointment and management of the Headteacher, to ensure standards are maintained at a high level.

We enable the school to run as effectively as possible, working alongside senior leaders and supporting teachers to provide excellent classroom teaching and a high quality of educational offering to students of all abilities. We are committed to the school community, acting as critical friends to the Headteacher and senior leaders. By challenging and asking questions about the school’s performance data, and rationale for decision making, the governors aim to guarantee high standards.

Our Governing Body is the key strategic decision maker in JSTC. Along with the Headteacher, it is the role of the governors to set the school’s aims and objectives around how the school will develop and improve. We set the policies, formulate plans and agree targets to help the school achieve these objectives. We also regularly review the strategic framework in light of that progress.

As an outward facing school, we recognize the benefit to being a member of the National Governors Association and comply with The Academies Financial Handbook over the financial running of the school. Regulatory information is maintained on sector specific databases at Companies House and ‘Get Information About Schools’ (GIAS).

To exercise our roles as governors and use the wide expertise available, the full governing body delegates responsibility to a number of sub - committees, the details of which are in the links panel, but as an overview the committees are:

Finance, Site and Staffing (including Health & Safety and Risk) Committee;

Quality of Education Committee;

Behaviour and Relationships Committee.

Governors

JSTC governors are committed to parental and community engagement and try to work with local stakeholders for the good of the town of Alford and the wider community. There is always a minimum of two parents who sit on the Governing Body.

If you wish to make contact with the Governing Body then we would be happy to hear from you: please contact Mrs S.J. Sivil, Clerk to the Governing Body at s.s ivil@jstc.org.uk.

Mr S Curtis (Headteacher)

Very proud Headteacher at John Spendluffe Technology College. Started my teaching career in Manchester, then Bolton and returned to Lincolnshire where I grew up. I have had a number of years as a senior leader, focusing on Teaching and Learning, Behaviour, Safeguarding and Teacher development, I am also a Governor for a Secondary School in Lincoln and a football coach for a local under 9's team. Prior to teaching I was a Graphic Designer in Leeds, working on a range of corporate identity projects. I am married with two young children and enjoy spending time with my family, cycling, watching Lincoln City and walking the dogs.

Mr J Treasure (Company Secretary)

After an early career in banking and the financial sector, which covered a multitude of roles including branch and wealth management I chose to embark on a different challenge by joining JSTC as Business Manager and Clerk to Governors in 2010.

Within 18 months of joining the school, I became Company Secretary as we converted to become a stand alone, non-selective Academy and remain in that role to the present date.

Due to the increasing demands of School Financial Management, I stepped down as Clerk to Governors back in August 2021 to ensure I could focus my attentions on the smooth day to day running of the school finances and to support the teams I manage.

JSTC is a very special place to work with some incredibly dedicated people who make a massive difference to the lives, aspirations and achievements of students. I am very proud to be a senior leader at this great school and hope to continue to be involved with it for many years to come.

Mrs E Ramm (Chair)

From a very early age, I always wanted to be a teacher and after more than 40 years in primary schools I never regretted my choice of career. I taught in a variety of schools around the country, from small village schools to large schools in London. They all had different challenges. The subjects I loved teaching were English, History and PE. Helping children to learn to read was always my main aim and once the basics had been taught then encouraging them to read for pleasure and to listen to stories from all around the world. Even as a teaching Head, my pleasure was to read to every class in the school at least once a week. After retiring, I am now involved with Alford Library, trying to encourage children to visit the library on a regular basis. And yes I am an avid reader myself!

Mr P Simpson (Vice Chair)

I am retired after four decades in the freight & logistics industry specialising in difficult and troubled regions of the world. Whilst working I was an Expert Trade Adviser , a member of the Transport Policy Advisory Committe and the Southern Road Corridor group with HM Gov along with the Kent Resilience Forum amongst various engagement roles.

With my wife and dogs we are in our third year in the area enjoying a country & coastal life. Lots of new opportunities such as being a member at Trent Bridge for cricket and rugby league in Hull.

Mrs S Sivil (Clerk to Governors)

Born and bred in Cambuslang, Lanarkshire. I graduated from Glasgow University with BSc (Hons) in Maths 1982 then DipEd 1983. My teaching career spanned over 30 years in Scotland and England, Maths/ICT/SEBD/SEN earning DipSL in 2002, retiring from the classroom in 2017.

Met my late husband, a wonderful Yellowbelly, and moved to Lincolnshire in 2013.

I was delighted to be asked to take on Clerk's job in 2021 and also support the school through Exam Invigilation.

In my spare time - I used to travel and to sail, mainly on the Clyde. These days I ring bells, paint and beachcomb.

Mrs R Strathern (Community Governor)

I was delighted to be asked, and accept, the role of school governor to continue to support the school, the leadership team and ultimately the students. I believe that by working as a collective, being committed, having due diligence and challenging where necessary, we can achieve the best outcomes and educational standards at JSTC.

I worked for 13 years in HR in local government before spending almost 18 years here at JSTC: firstly in the SEN department and latterly as an English teacher. My daughter also attended the school so I have experience as both a parent and a member of staff.

In my spare time, I enjoy travelling, spending time with my family, reading and yoga.

Mrs S Powell (Staff Governor)

I am an Assistant Headteacher at JSTC leading on Teaching and Learning. I am also the school’s Senior Mental Health Lead, supporting both staff and student wellbeing. I have been teaching and leading for almost thirty years in further and secondary education in Leicestershire, Warwickshire, Hampshire, the West Midlands and overseas. Prior to teacher training, I was a Local Government Finance Officer in the East Midlands. I am married and have three children who are fast becoming young adults, two of whom attended JSTC and loved their time as students here. I am passionate about learning and enjoy new challenges such as language learning and horticulture. I am a member of the Finance Committee.

Mr I Hart (Community Governor)

Local business owner and have many years experiences in automotive mechanics and engineering.

Owning my own business means I have experience with business operations and finances. I am the Vice Chair of the finance committee.

Miss R Hickson (Community Governor)

I am an ex-student and have lived in the local area all my life. I support with the Young Carers within school, providing them breakfasts, equipment, trips, someone to talk to and provide guidance on where to find support and information. I really like fitness and have competed in a number of runs for charity. I have previously worked within Inclusion and Safeguarding. I am joint Chair of the Behaviour and Relationship committee.

Mr N Wass (Community Governor)

I am Lincolnshire born & bred with a love of all things Lincolnshire. My working career has included Sports & Hospitality management and then Lincolnshire Police with a passion for learning, engaging and health and safety.

Mrs M Scott (Community Governor)

I grew up with a wonderfully supportive family in a relatively deprived part of Manchester and was the first in my family to attend university. I graduated from Lancaster University with a BA (Hons) in English Literature in 2008 and headed to London to work for a drama school. I returned home in 2009 and volunteered for the Prince’s Trust before settling in Lincolnshire with my now husband. I worked for CfBT in the Arts team and was responsible for arranging arts and drama programmes in schools. In 2010, I ran a drama project at Banovallum School and my passion for teaching was ignited: this was a world I had to get in to. I trained at JSTC before starting at Banovallum School where I have now become Head of Department.

I was delighted with the invitation to join the governors and look forward to supporting the school in the next stages of its development. In my spare time, and there’s not always much with two young children, I like reading, running and cooking.

Mr P Nickson (Staff Governor- Support Staff)

I Graduated in the 70`s with PE as my main subject. I was a keen player of sport and played hockey for Lincolnshire at various levels and cricket for Northamptonshire 2nds and their A team. After graduating I went farming with my dad. When he retired, I set up on my own and had about 2500 pigs. I also drove lorries at times as I used to hold a Class 1 HGV licence. I stopped farming in 1993 and went back into teaching. I joined Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service in 1989 and served as both a Firefighter and Crew Manager for 33 years, retiring 2 years ago. I`ve been at Spendluffe for ages. I`m not really sure how long, about 29 years I think.

Mrs A Appleyard (Staff Governor - Teaching Staff)

I am an Assistant Headteacher focusing on Curriculum, Pupil Premium and Staff Professional Development. I have a number of years experience within the education sector, I am also an Executive Leader of Education for Lincolnshire Research School. I am a member of the Quality of Education committee.

Mrs S Smith (Parent Governor)

My daughter attends JSTC, she is in Year 10. I work for the Lincolnshire County Council as a Road Safety Officer, for Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership. I spend alot of time working with students and schools providing information and guidance on how to be safe when traveling to school and during their free time. I support with the SEN Department and a member of the Behaviour and Relationship committee.

Mrs L Hill (Community Governor)

Hi! I’m Laura Hill and I am a Year 6 teacher at Alford Primary School. My career began at Alford over ten years ago; during this time, I have been fortunate enough to experience teaching in every year group. Due to the nature of the primary curriculum, I teach a variety of subjects each week, but my favourite is definitely English! In recent years, I have taken on the role of ‘Reading Lead’, and thoroughly enjoy being an ambassador of reading for our children - sharing books is my favourite part of the job! I am looking forward to being a governor at JSTC, sharing experiences and supporting transitions between the two schools.

Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my family. I have two children, a dog named Peggy and a tortoise called Ernie. At the weekends, we enjoy watching football together – which can get pretty intense as we all support different teams!

Current Serving JSTC Members

Mrs E Ramm

Mr G Kirkman
Mr G Crust

Mr P Milson

Mr G Willoughby