Directors

 

The directors set the strategic direction for the MAT and are accountable to the Secretary of State for the performance of the schools within it. This is set out in a legal document known as the ‘funding agreement’. As charity trustees, they must also ensure that they are complying with charity law requirements. High calibre directors are appointed for their skills, knowledge or experience as needed by the Board.

The Trust Board of Directors has three core functions:

1          Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction

2          Holding the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to account for the educational performance of the Trust schools and their pupils, and the performance management of staff

3          Overseeing the financial performance of the schools and making sure its money is well spent

 

 The Directors of Great Oak Multi Academy Trust are:

Mrs Elizabeth Barker

Chair of Directors

Term of Office: 16.11.26

Mr Gary Benn

Term of Office: 10.09.30
Committee: Audit and Risk

Mr John Burwood

Term of Office: 24.10.29
Committee: Audit and Risk (Chair)

Mrs Sarah Mitchell

Executive Headteacher / CEO

Term of Office: Ex-Officio

Dr Wazz Mughal

Vice Chair

Term of Office: 03.09.27

Mrs Kate Porch

Term of Office: 19.09.27

Rev Lynda Sebbage

Term of Office: 24.10.29

 

 

Great Oak Multi Academy Trust Board of Directors 

September 2026 - August 2027

Name

Type

Office

Term

Date stepped down

Number of  Directors’ Board Meetings

Number of Directors’ Board Meetings attended

Elizabeth Barker

Appointed by Members

Chair

16/11/2026

 

 1

 1

 

Gary Benn

 

Co-opted Director

 

10/09/2026

 

 

 

 1

 1 

John Burwood

Appointed by Members

  24/10/2029
 
 
 
 
 
 

 1

 1

Sarah Mitchell

CEO

 

CEO

Executive Headteacher

Ex-Officio

 

 1

 1

Wassim Mughal

Appointed by Members

 

03/09/2027

 
 
 
 
 
 

 1

 1

Kate Porch

Appointed by Members

 

19/09/2027

 

 1

 0

Rev Lynda Sebbage

Appointed by Members

  24/10/2029  

 1

 0

 

Great Oak Multi Academy Trust Board of Directors 

September 2025 - August 2026

Name

Type

Office

Term

Date stepped down

Number of possible Full Directors’ Meetings

Number of Full Directors’ Meetings attended

Member of Audit and Risk Committee

Elizabeth Barker

Appointed by Members

Chair

16/11/2026

 

4

3

 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Gary Benn

 

Co-opted Director

 

10/09/2026

 

 

 

4

 2

Yes 

John Burwood

Appointed by Members

  24/10/2029
 
 
 
 
 
 

3

3

 
 
 
 Yes
 
 

Neil Gregory

Appointed by Members

  24/10/2029
29/07/2026

3

1

 
 
 
 Yes
 
 

Sarah Mitchell

CEO

 

CEO

Executive Headteacher

Ex-Officio

 

4

4

 
 
 
 
 
 

Wassim Mughal

Appointed by Members

 

03/09/2027

 
 
 
 
 
 

4

 4

Stepped down 18.11.25

Kate Porch

Appointed by Members

 

19/09/2027

 

4

 4

 
 
 
 
 
 

Rev Lynda Sebbage

Appointed by Members

  24/10/2029  

3

1

 
 
 
 
 
 

  

Mrs Alice Balchin

Governance Professional

Mrs Ursula Lyons

Audit and Risk Committee Independent Member

Ms Samantha Wilks

Audit and Risk Committee Independent Member

Former Directors of Great Oak Multi Academy Trust who have served in the last 12 months:

Mr Neil Gregory

Date Stepped Down: 29.07.26
Committee: Audit and Risk (Chair)

School Street, Great Chesterford, Saffron Walden, Essex, CB10 1NN 01799 530292 admin@greatchesterford.essex.sch.uk