Governors

Our Governors

Edward Heneage is governed by an Academy Scrutiny Committee.

Our governors are:

• Dominique Osborne
  Principal
  Dominique Osborne

• Aimee Steedman
  Head of School
  Aimee Steedman

• Ellis Jacklin
  DRET Appointed Governor (Chair)
  Ellis Jacklin

  Ellis joined the ASC at Edward Heneage in January 2024 and has been a governor at Hogsthorpe Primary Academy since January 2016. Ellis originally became a governor to gain more understanding on how Governance worked ‘behind the scenes' in schools. Ellis is also a Trustee of a local Multi Academy Trust and is Chair of the Estates and Resources Committee. Ellis has worked in Education for over 15 years after starting an IT career from the age of 18 as an IT Operator. He has worked as a Senior Engineer, Systems Development Lead, Regional IT Manager and his current position is IT & Data Director for a large Multi Academy Trust. Ellis is proud of managing a team of Central Data and IT professionals delivering an outstanding service to 34 Academies right across the country. The team ethic that has been built is solid and he is immensely proud to lead them. Ellis enjoys visiting local beaches and walking with his family.

• Sarah Henry
  DRET Appointed Governor (Vice Chair)
  Sarah Henry

  I became a governor to support the school to provide the best outcomes for pupils. I am a teacher with up-to-date knowledge and understanding of the current educational climate. I am very passionate about the local community, education, equality and raising aspirations in deprived areas.

• Connor Pickerden
  DRET Appointed Governor
  Connor Pickerden

  I have a huge passion for education and when I originally started teaching I fell into it, but since then I have loved every aspect of it and working with students seeing them develop over time and then watching them continue to grow in higher education. Whilst I am mainly FE based I would love to have an impact and be apart of other educational levels and contribute in a positive way. Currently I work in a FE college as a programme leader. Therefore, I am responsible for teaching and learning for our Level 3 students. In this post I manage everything from student behaviours, planning and delivery, assessment and feedback, along with many other responsibilities. Alongside doing this post I am also a trained BTEC Standards Verifier and therefore, work for Pearson in checking the quality standards of other FE colleges around the UK. I am always keen and eager to learn new technologies, development platforms and other 'geeky' related things from gaves, to virtual reality, augmented reality and the Metaverse.

• Nina Gadsdon
  DRET Appointed Governor
  Nina Gadsdon

  I am mum to 2 grown up boys and granny to 3 little girls. My husband served in the armed forces, being part of a service family meant that we moved around a lot, experiencing a lot of different schools over the years, which gives me a wide perspective on what a good school is. I have worked as a civil servant in the Department of Health and Social care for the last 5 years, where I am a programme manager leading on complex contracts. This means I get to lead an amazing team of people on some really interesting areas, covering finance, analysis, policy and building networks of people to solve some big issues. I did my degree as a mature student, graduating in 2020. I am passionate about social mobility and believe that every child should be able to dream big and make those dreams reality, no matter their background. I am delighted to be given this opportunity and hope to be able to visit often and to be a support to school life. Away from work, I am a keen crafter and baker and an avid reader. I also take part in early medieval living history displays, demonstrating various crafts to members of the public and learning more about how people lived 1,000 years ago.

• Rebecca Barrow
  DRET Appointed Governor
  Rebecca Barrow

  I wanted to become a governor as I have always been interested in the development and growth and support of children and this has been furthered reinforced following the birth of my two young children. I have been a Brownie leader for over 10 years and my previous job was in higher education so I have an appreciation of the value of education and support can have when children are young and saw firsthand the impact higher education can have on young people as they step in to adulthood. I am a HR Manager and can consider issues from multiple angles, not jump to conclusions, and remain pragmatic and empathetic. I also contribute to wide ranging issues and discussions on all aspects of business, marketing, finance, and procurement. I enjoy spending time with my family walking our dog, baking, and going to the gym.

• Ellie Kirk
  DRET Appointed Governor
  Ellie Kirk

  I decided to become a governor at Edward Heneage Primary Academy because I am passionate about supporting primary schools in Grimsby—the community I grew up in and continue to work in today. Through my role working in local schools, I have seen first-hand the vital role that education plays in shaping young lives, and I want to contribute to that in a meaningful way. I currently work for the NSPCC as a Schools Coordinator, where I help deliver vital safeguarding programmes such as Speak Out Stay Safe to primary schools, supporting children to understand their rights and how to stay safe. Prior to this, I worked at the Grimsby Town Foundation, where I supported schools and young people through sport, education, and community-focused programmes. Outside of work, I enjoy hiking and paddleboarding, which allow me to connect with nature and recharge. I'm also a keen hockey player and continue to stay involved in the sport by coaching and serving on the committee at my local hockey club, where I proudly hold the role of Welfare Officer.

• Sonia Thundercliffe
  DRET Appointed Governor
  Sonia Thundercliffe

  In her paid role, Sonia is Vice Principal at Havelock Academy, and looking to support the development of a sister academy, Sonia joined the ASC in October 2025. Outside of work, Sonia enjoys travel.

• Bethany Thomas
  Staff Governor
  Bethany Thomas

  Bethany was elected on to the ASC as a Staff Governor on 3 March 2021. As a teacher at the academy, she always strives for the absolute best for the pupils and being part of the governing body allows her to have a say in the bigger picture of the education of the children in the community. Bethany joined Edward Heneage in 2019. She started as an NQT in Y6 and is now Assistant Principal for Teaching and Learning in KS2. As Curriculum Lead, she has a strong understanding of the structure and purpose of the trust curriculum and has been working with staff in 2021 to foster cross-curricular links and connections, supporting the children to become knowledgeable all-rounders. Bethany is also based in Y5/6 and is therefore proficient in data analysis and the subsequent target setting and improvement planning which stems from this. She is passionate about curriculum design and the significance of those subjects classed as non-core. As both a historian and a linguist by trade, she loves the sparks of curiosity which stem from the skills and knowledge these fascinating subjects have to offer. Bethany is currently working on a project revolving around explicit vocabulary teaching which aims to encompass all of these areas.

• Kayleigh Reynolds
  Staff Governor
  Kayleigh Reynolds

  Kayleigh joined the ASC in September 2025 and is teaches year 5 pupils at Edward Heneage Primary Academy.

  Outside of work, Kayleigh enjoys reading is a philosophy fanatic.

• Gemma McKiernan
  Parent Governor
  Gemma McKiernan

  Gemma was elected by parents to join the ASC as a Parent Governor on 26 May 2021. She wanted to become a governor to become more involved in how and what her children were learning. Gemma is a Senior Health Care Assistant at the hospital and has received a high level of Safeguarding and Mental Capacity training. Gemma is eager to learn and use her initiative. She is very patient and a good time-keeper. She is passionate about her job and being able to protect her family and help other people. Gemma enjoys socialising with her friends and family and taking her children out to places where they can have fun.

• Sophie Adams
  Parent Governor
  Sophie Adams

  I became a parent governor to learn more about the school. I have two children attending the school, one of whom has high Send needs which allows me to experience both the mainstream and SEND support offered by the school. I previously worked as a personal assistant and am currently training to be a SEND teaching assistant. I am passionate about SEND children and trying to make a difference. My other interests include studying and reading.

• Anna Chester
  Clerk
  Anna Chester

  ,

  Anna has been clerking academies within the Trust since September 2020. Prior to that she spent 33 years working for HM Revenue and Customs, specialising in complaints investigation, including Adjudicator and MP cases. Anna enjoys gardening, walking her dog and visiting museums and other cities around the world.

Current Governors

Former Governors 

 Below is a list of Governors that have served in the past 12 months. 

Contacting Us

The Governance Officer for Edward Heneage Primary Academy is Gemma Yates. Gemma can be reached at governance@dret.co.uk. 

To contact a governor, please contact the Trust Governance Team by emailing governance@dret.co.uk.

If you are looking to contact a Governor to make a complaint or share a concern, please note that as per our Complaints Policy, governors do not investigate complaints at Stage 1 or Stage 2.  This enables them to be impartial should a complaint be escalated to a Stage 3 governor panel. If you wish to make a complaint, please complete this form and your complaint will be investigated accordingly.

Scheme of Delegation

Information about the David Ross Education Trust’s scheme of delegation is available here.

Minutes of the Academy Scrutiny Committee

Should you wish to view a copy of the minutes of the ASC at this academy, please contact the Trust Governance Team (governance@dret.co.uk), who will be able to provide you with an electronic or paper copy of the minutes.

Are you interested in becoming an academy governor?

We are looking for new governors to support our academies. Our governors work closely with their academies to support the Trust’s goal of broadening the horizons of young people through a world-class education, equipping our students with the skills and experiences to become their confident, academic best, no matter what.

If you have an interest in, and commitment to, improving education and would like to make a difference within your community, please register your interest in becoming a governor by completing our governor application form. If you have any questions about a governor’s role or responsibilities please contact us at governance@dret.co.uk or review our information pack below. 

aug 2025 governor recruitment booklet.pdf

What is it like being a Governor with DRET?

To understand what it is like to be a governor with us, take a look at our testimonial booklet and videos which contain insights from serving governors.

governor testimonial booklet .pdf

 Emma Bennett 

Angela Watts 

Stephen Platten 

Garry Allen