The academy is a member of a trust which delegates certain decision-making powers to our Academy Governing Council.

Co-op Academies Trust is a multi-academy trust which runs a number of academies. Please visit the Trust website to find out about the Trust Board and also to view the Trust’s Annual Report, Policies and Financial Statements.

The Trust operate within an established Scheme of Deligation detailing those matters that are reserved for the Board and those delegated to governors and Headteacher:

• Decisions reserved for the Trust Board include providing strategic direction to the Trust, ensuring financial viability, establishing an Audit Committee and compliance with Department for Education requirements.
• The governors at each academy are responsible for ensuring a high-quality student experience that meets the needs of the local community. This will include remaining informed about what children are learning and the progress they are making, making sure children are safe, ensuring resources are used effectively and engaging the stakeholders.

The Academy Governing Council consists of 8 to 12 governors, of which between 2 to 5 governors are appointed by the sponsor. In addition, the local governing body includes 1 staff governor, 2 parent governors and the Headteacher. The Academy Governing Council can then appoint a number of community governors to be representative of the local community, provide insight into local partnership links, or bring a particular skillset.

Caroline Sellers

Hi!
My name is Caroline Sellers and I am a Sponsor Governor, appointed by the Co-op as Chair of your Governing Council in March 2021.
I am a Fellow of the Chartered Governance Institute and have over 30 years governance experience; my entire career working for the Co-op. I was also a Member of the Co-op Academies Trust since its incorporation until 2022, when I stepped down.
I am honoured to be Chair of Friarswood Academy and during my four years as Chair have been delighted to see it flourish, particularly through the difficult times during Covid. I was also delighted to see the school be rated as ‘Good’ from the Ofsted inspection in May 2023 – this was no mean feat and was all down to the commitment and hard work of Mrs Wilmer and all the Academy staff, who live the Co-op Values and work together to be the best every day!
Please feel free to contact me with any comments/observations you have on the school.

Adrian Colerick

I am a parent governor at Friarswood as I am the dad of an amazing young boy who has been attending the school since nursery. I have an extensive background in Childrens Social Care as I have run my own care company and school since 2010. I have a working knowledge of HR, health and safety and finance issues which I hope will help in my role supporting the school as the Link Governor for Health and Safety and Risk

Craig Livesy

As the Head of Internal Audit at Co-op, Craig leads independent assurance across the business, having joined the Internal Audit team in 2016. Craig is a Chartered Accountant and started his career in external audit. Prior to joining Co-op, Craig spent most of his career at PwC in Business Recovery; as a Director and Insolvency Practitioner, he undertook strategic business reviews, restructurings and insolvencies. Craig lives in Cheshire. He is married and has two children who are now a few years past primary school age but still keep him busy!

Fiona Williams

My name is Fiona Williams. I am married with three children and have lived in Newcastle under Lyme since 1978. I was born and brought up in Ireland (both North & South of the border). I obtained a B.A. Hons in Geography at Aberystwyth University in Wales and obtained a College Certificate in Biblical Studies alongside my PGCE, which covered both primary and secondary education.

My first job was working on a research project at Keele University to produce educational materials on historical buildings located mainly in Shropshire.Then I got a job teaching Geography to 11-18 year old pupils at the Orme Girls School (now Newcastle under Lyme School) in Newcastle under Lyme and retired from there in December 2015, after just over 36 years of teaching. I also taught Religious Studies and had various roles of responsibility including Head of Year to pupils in both years 8 and 9, mentoring experience, as well as experience in conducting careers interviews with year 10/11 students. Also, for many years I coordinated the senior school’s annual prize giving.  I thoroughly enjoyed my years of teaching, especially sharing my passion for geography and being involved with young people. 

I am very pleased to be the Link Governor for Safeguarding at the Co-op Academy, Friarswood. It is a privilege to be involved with this school which aims to develop well rounded, caring, confident and resilient children. I enjoy being involved in the local community and especially to be able to invest in the learning and development of children and young people.

Sarah Eglin

Hello.  I’m Sarah Eglin, one of Friarswood’s community governors.  I’m also the SEN link governor.

I began my career with a law degree but moved into Human Resources as an HR graduate at Boots.  After having done 5 years in Boots’ Retail, International and latterly its FMCG business units, I ventured to Britivic and was asked to pick up people change management during their implementation of SAP.  I then moved to Balfour Beatty where I spent 6 years in an HR Director role in its rail business.  I had two children during this time and then moved to a role in Social Housing as Executive Director Corporate Services, where I got to directly support the impact that social housing providers can have on the lives of those within their communities.  I moved from there back into a people focussed role as Group HRD for Coventry University, by this time, I had three children.  I joined the Co-op, again in an HR role, with a remit covering all 60,000 operational colleagues from a People perspective and had the freedom to explore what a culture of true co-operation and a different way of working together and ‘doing business’ can really mean.  My current role is as Director of People and Culture at Barnardo’s where I have the opportunity to have a real impact on the lives of children and young people across the UK.

I have five children, three with neurodiversity and I live in Crewe

Governors can be contacted by writing to the regional governance manager. Contact details below.

Katie Whitmore (smgovernance@coopacademies.co.uk)
Co-op Academy Friarswood
Abbots Way
Newcastle-under-Lyme
ST5 2ES