The LGB is a committee of the Pinnacle Learning Trust Board and provides focused, strategic governance for the school at local level. It monitors the academy's key performance indicators and acts as a critical friend to the Principal, providing challenge where appropriate. It also plays a key part in representing the views of the academy's stakeholders and is responsible for promoting high standards and educational achievement.
The governors exercise the responsibilities and duties delegated by the Trust Board as set out in the Trust’s scheme of delegation.
The role of a governor:
Our governors have a wholehearted commitment to the education of children and young people, to the values and ethos of the Trust and to the school. The most important focus for a governor is the needs of children and their education. Governors have a detailed knowledge of the school in order to fulfil the role of providing strategic support and challenge and play a vital role in ensuring that the LGB is connected with, and is aware of the views of, parents, staff, the local community and other stakeholders. Some governors will be given particular roles within the LGB. Most commonly these relate to Safeguarding, Health and Safety and Special Educational Needs.
Governor Roles and Meetings for 2021/22
Local Governing Body
GOVERNOR
ROLE
MEETING DATES
07/10/21
09/12/21
24/03/22
23/06/22
Ateeque Ur-Rehman (Chair)
Address: The Hathershaw College, Bellfield Avenue, Oldham, OL8 3EP
Start Date: 01/09/17
Chair of Governors /
Co-opted Governor
Appointed by GB/board
√
X
√
Mr Mark Giles
Principal
Ex-officio by virtue of office as headteacher/principal
The Hathershaw College is now part of The Pinnacle Learning Trust along with Oldham Sixth Form College and Werneth Primary School. Governance information on the Trustees and Members of the Pinnacle Learning Trust can be found on the PLT website or at the Get Information About Schools website.
The chair of The Governing Body for Hathershaw College is Ateeque Ur-Rehman. Should you need to contact him please telephone the school on 0161 770 8555; alternatively you are able to email for The Chair of Governors' attention to: governance@pinnaclelearningtrust.org.uk
Meet the Governors
Principal
Mark Giles
Chair of Governors
Ateeque Ur-Rehman
Ateeque is a former elected member of Oldham Council and local businessman. He has been Chair of Governors at The Hathershaw College since 2014. Term of Office: 31/08/2024
Co-opted Governor: Louise Astbury
Louise became a Governor in 2014 and shares the school’s vision of raising aspirations and the achievements of young people at Hathershaw. She is a Senior Leader at Oldham Sixth From College and specialises in teaching, learning and developing teachers at all career levels. Louise is a Specialist Leader of Education for Advantage Teaching School Alliance and is actively involved in training staff across Oldham. Term of Office: 03/10/2022
Vice Chair of Governors: Tony Jones
Tony was a teacher of PE at The Hathershaw College from 1985 until his retirement in 2015, and was the teaching staff governor for the last few years of his employment. He is now Vice Chair of governors and sits on The Pinnacle Learning Trust's Finance & Resources Committee. Tony is the SEND link governor, liaising with the SENCo and SEN staff to actively help raise standards within the faculty. Term of Office: 31/08/2025
Parent Governor: Champa Budia
Champa has been a school Governor for several years, starting at the primary school where her youngest daughter attends. Her eldest daughter now attends The Hathershaw College and as Champa was very interested to see how the local governing body of a high school works, she decided to become a Parent Governor at Hathershaw. Champa holds a diploma in safeguarding practices and is the school's Safeguarding Governor. Term of Office: 02/12/2023
Parent Governor: Faisal Butt
Faisal joined the trust as a Parent Governor in October 2021, having attended Hathershaw College many years ago himself. His son now also attends the school and is in Year 11. Faisal currently works for Legal and General Affordable Homes as a Senior Manager. His role involves investment compliance, audit and risk , and overseeing the day to day operations for the organisation. He is also Chair of Tower Hamlets Community Housing, an association who manage 3,200 homes in East London. He has previously held the position of School Governor for a local primary school. He is keen to support the school to achieve the best learning outcomes for all students.
Term of Office: 06/10/2025
Teaching Staff Governor: Ashley Stewardson
Ashley has been a PE teacher at Hathershaw since 2008 and is our most recent teaching staff governor. Ashley has additional responsibilities with our most able students and coordinates a programme of events to raise the profile and ensure appropriate provision is in place for these students. Term of Office: 31/08/2022
Support Staff Governor: Ben Nightingale
Ben has been the Senior Science Technician at Hathershaw since 2016. As well as the most recent Non-Teaching Governor role, he also holds a position on the Board of Trustees for a local community Centre.
Term of Office:07/10/2025
Co-opted Governor: Alan Thomas
Alan is from Swansea and received a degree in Chemical Engineering from Manchester University in 1967. He has subsequently worked for BP Oil company for 35 years in various management roles in the UK, USA, Canada and Holland, with his role heading up HSE for the refining arm of the company. On retirement, he and his wife returned to live in Swansea and Alan held a number of volunteer positions—Swansea College Governor and Chair, Audit Committee roles on Swansea Council and with South Wales police. He moved to Worsley in mid 2019 to be near family. As a Governor he aims to be an active and constructive contributor in supporting the college to achieve its goals. Term of Office: 24/06/2025
