Our Governors
Adele Humble
Chair of Governors
Trust Appointee
Term of Office: 15/12/2022 – 14/12/2026
Adele is a senior HR professional with over 20 years’ experience of working in both private and public sector organisations. Currently the Strategic HR Manager for Kirklees Council, working across all Children’s Services and schools across the district. Prior to joining Kirklees in 2016, Adele was the Corporate HR Manager for Bradford Council, having responsibility for all workforce matters across the full breadth of council services. She has a key connection to the city having studied for her degree at Bradford and Ilkley Community College, many years ago!
Adele leads on strategic development and engagement with workforces across several HR specialist areas, working with senior leaders, governors, head teachers and trade unions.
In addition, she is also the Chair of Governors of a local primary school in Huddersfield.
Simon Dennis
Trust Appointee
Term of Office: 03/02/2020 – 02/02/2024
Simon was born and bought up in the West Midlands but has lived in Bradford for all of his adult life having come to the city in 1982 to attend University.
Simon is a qualified accountant and worked for the Audit Commission for many years working as an auditor, inspector and regulator, later joining the accounting firm KPMG. Simon is now Rotherham Council’s Corporate Improvement and Risk Manager and is also the Director of Finance of Bradford Cathedral.
Simon is a Licensed Lay Minister and member of the Leadership Team at St John’s church in Great Horton. He is also the Independent Chair of the Audit Committee of the Anglican Diocese of Leeds.
Father Paul Wheelhouse
Trust Appointee
Term of Office: 25/05/2019 – 07/09/2024
Paul was a teacher and then head of department for 8 years in Bradford Middle schools and then redeployed to a Bradford Primary school during the reorganisation. During this time, he also worked for Bradford youth service as a Duke of Edinburgh outreach worker. The following 7 years he was school chaplain in a large secondary school and Diocesan youth officer. He then trained in Durham for the ordained ministry, and served as curate in two West Yorkshire parishes. Paul is now the Vicar of the local Anglican Church, St John the Evangelist, Bierley.
Katie Waring
BDAT Director of Professional and Career Development
Term of office: 01/09/2019 – 31/08/2023
Katie joined BDAT in January 2020 and as the Director of Professional and Career Development strategically leading the Trust’s vision to support school improvement by recruiting, developing and retaining highly competent and confident staff to deliver high quality education so every child can fulfil their potential and goals. Before joining BDAT Katie worked as a teacher in both the primary and secondary phases before moving into staff development, particularly in Initial Teacher Training. She chairs the Bradford for Teaching ITT group.
Katie is a Research Lead for both the Bradford and Oldham Research Schools. She recently worked as part of the team that wrote the Kusuma Improving Secondary Science Implementation support course for the EEF.
In January 2021 Katie was awarded Fellowship of the Chartered College for Teaching for her demonstration of high standards of professionalism; commitment to engaging in relevant, career-long professional learning and critical engagement with research and evidence
Victoria Burrows
Staff (Teaching) Governor
Term of office: 24/06/2021 – 23/06/2025
Victoria is currently Associate Assistant Principal with responsibility for Alternative Provision at Bradford Forster Academy. She is a teacher of science with expertise in teaching all three sciences. She is passionate about increasing the choices that our students have and educating them to ensure they leave with the most possible options open to them.
Having not worked only in education, Victoria brings a breadth of knowledge from other careers such as her own business, mortgage sales as well as going to university as a full time student at the age of 30 with 2 young children.
Lisa Mason
Trust Appointee - Parent Governor
Term of Office: 09/12/2021 - 08/12/2025
Trust Appointee - Parent Governor
Term of Office: 09/12/2021 - 08/12/2025
Jonathan Gardner
Trust Appointee
Term of Office: 20/10/2022 - 19/10/2026
Term of Office: 20/10/2022 - 19/10/2026
David Brown
Trust Appointee
Term of Office: 17/09/2020 - 16/09/2024
Term of Office: 17/09/2020 - 16/09/2024
David is a Chartered Engineer and has worked in the Aerospace and Automotive industries in design, development and testing.
He is a member of the IMechE and a mentor for developing engineers. He has a keen interest in STEM subjects and their promotion to young people.
David is a former member of Rotaract and Rotary where he was involved in fundraising and community activities.
He is a member of his local church and helps out with running the AV equipment.
Elizabeth Gallagher
Trust Appointee
Term of Office: 31/03/2022 - 30/03/2026
Term of Office: 31/03/2022 - 30/03/2026
Elizabeth grew up in Laisterdyke, just up the road from Bradford Forster Academy. Her parents still live in BD4 and she is proud of her roots. She attended local state schools before going on to study French and History at the University of Durham. She now lives in London, where she works as a personal injury barrister and deputy district judge. As the first generation of her family to go to university, she knows the difference that education can make. She has an interest in social mobility and improving the life chances of children and young people.
Rob Robinson
Trust Appointee - Parent Governor
Term of Office: 09/12/2021 - 08/12/2025
Term of Office: 09/12/2021 - 08/12/2025
Aneesah Ahmed
Trust Appointee
Term of Office: 20/04/2023 - 19/04/2027
Term of Office: 20/04/2023 - 19/04/2027
Olalekan Obisesan
Trust Appointee
Term of Office: 20/04/2023 - 19/04/2027
Term of Office: 20/04/2023 - 19/04/2027
