The structure and responsibilities of our governing body.

A local governing body within Reach South Academy Trust consists of:

4 Trust appointed members
2 Elected parent members
2 Elected staff members
Executive Headteacher

Additionally, there can be up to 3 Co-opted members.

Millbay Academy transitioned from a Joint Improvement Board with High Street Primary Academy to the Millbay Academy Local Governing Body from 1st September 2025.

Tom Kirk - Trust Appointed Governor

Appointed by Trust Board

Term: 01.09.25 – 01.09.29 Responsibility: Chair of Governors and Safeguarding Governor Attendance 2025-26: 1/4

Registered Interests: Owner of ND (Plymouth) Ltd t/a Tom Kirk Consultancy (Jan 2017) and Director of Fuel Media & Print Ltd (Nov 2022)

Tom is an Accountant and has extensive expertise from working as a trusted advisor to clients in healthcare, e-commerce, manufacturing, recruitment and education sectors from turnarounds through to drawing up and executing strategic expansion plans. Tom has previously worked for Reach South Academy Trust as the Interim Director of Finance and therefore has a very good understanding of the values and ethos of the Trust.

Steven Forsyth - Trust Appointed Governor

Appointed by Trust Board

Term: 01.09.25 – 01.09.29 Responsibility: Vice-Chair Attendance 2025-26: 1/4

Registered Interests:

Steven is the Head of Pre-Degree at Arts University Plymouth and prior to this he was the Pre-Degree Carers lead, the Curriculum Manager, Design as well as being involved in external projects such as the Plymouth SEND forum, the Education Excellence Committee and Plymouth Employability and Skills Board.

Steven is a dynamic and driven educator and industry professional, consistently motivated by his ambition and empathy. He has a passion in developing effective strategies and innovative ideas that foster the growth and development of those around him. Steven also sits on a governance board for an adult education provider in Plymouth so has experience of governance matters. It is hoped that Steven’s involvement with the Local Governing Body will create more strategic links between Millbay Academy and Arts University Plymouth.


Jo Ware - Executive Headteacher

Governor by virtue of office as Executive Headteacher 

Term: 01.09.25 Responsibility: Whole schools Attendance 2025-26:1/4

Registered Interests: Domestic Partner employed by the Trust

2025-26 Millbay Local Governing Body Meeting Dates


Thursday 16 October 2025

Thursday 5 February 2026

Thursday 18 June 2026

Previous Governors of the last 12 months



Contact:

If you wish to contact the Chair of Governors you can do so either via the school office or by contacting the Clerk to the Board, Lindsey Johnson: lindsey.johnson@reachsouth.org

To find out more about Reach South Academy governance click on the following link- www.reachsouth.org/governance

To find out more about Reach South Academy financial statements click on the following link- https://www.reachsouth.org/financial-statements