Alan has been a school governor since 2007, serving on the Governing Body of Northgate High School as Chair (2008-13 and 2016-2017) and Vice-Chair (2013-2015). He regards his role as a school governor as the opportunity to give back something to the education system that helped him and his family. He is a Member and Trustee of Unity Education Trust; Chair of Trustees 2017-2020 and 2022-to date.

He is a member of the Finance and Audit Committee and Standards Committee. He is Chair of the People, Pay and Performance Committee and co-opted governor/link trustee with some of UET schools. He was a senior manager at the University of East Anglia and, following his retirement, continues as a part-time administrative consultant to a research institute affiliated to the University. His voluntary work includes serving as the Chair and Treasurer of the Dereham-based Kickstart Norfolk which is the largest moped “wheels to work” charity in the country.

I joined the Royal Air Force in January 1992 after attending King Edward the VII High School and 6th Form in King’s Lynn. I served at various units in the UK before being medically discharged from the Royal Air Force in March 2014.

Whilst serving I particularly enjoyed mentoring the new recruits and developing their personal and professional skills, enabling full and rewarding careers. By the end of my career I was instructing within my trade across the East of England. My wife works as a TA in a primary school in King’s Lynn and we have a son, who attends Churchill Park Complex Needs Academy (CPA).

I became a school governor at CPA in 2012 and Chair of Governors in 2017. I look forward to being part of Unity Education Trust and facilitating the development of its settings.

Richard’s early career started in farm management, with positions overseas and in
management at the Blenheim Palace estate, before re-training to become a Teacher at the University of Oxford. He worked as Head of Biology at St Augustine’s Upper School in Oxford before moving to Norfolk as Head of Science then Assistant Headteacher and Director of the Training School at Notre Dame High School in Norwich.
After 8 years there, he was appointed Headteacher at Archbishop Sancroft High School in Harleston in 2008, becoming Executive Headteacher in 2019.
During his tenure, the school was judged Outstanding in its 2017 SIAMS inspection and in their 2013 Ofsted report, inspectors commented “The headteacher provides
inspirational leadership and sets high expectations for the performance of the school.”
Richard is a Director of the Diocese of Norwich Education Services Company
(DoNESC).

Professional Footballer 2019-2021,

Chief Executive Officer at Bobby Copping Foundation 2021-now,

Women’s General Manager/Head of Schools Initiative/Academy coach at Peterborough United 2021-now,

Personal Development Mentor at League Football Education 2021-now.

I have worked within the education sector in Norfolk, in a variety of wellbeing and support roles for over 20 years. I have worked across the age ranges from Nursery through to secondary including mainstream and special needs schools. Over the years I have also supported education settings on PTA’s and as a governor. I am currently the chair of the Academy stakeholder committee at Northgate High School.

In more recent years I have gained experience of working in a more senior role as a project lead for the wellbeing team at YMCA Norfolk. This involved coordinating support in a range of schools across Norfolk and providing support to pupils and families with a range of needs. As well as coordinating the project and managing the team I also delivered sessions and support within the schools and in the community. I was also a Designated safeguarding lead as part of this role.

I am now a PA and office manager in a busy primary school.

I have a passion for supporting families, children and those I work alongside to ensure they have the opportunities to reach their full potential and the best possible outcomes for their futures.

I worked in Business for 35 years predominantly as a Change and Delivery Manager before taking early retirement. I carry out several volunteer roles including that of a school governor since 2020. I recently took over as Chair of Governors in 2021. I take this position very seriously and I try and visit the eight schools I am responsible for at least twice a year. I have a good relationship with the schools, teachers and children and make sure that when I do visit, I spend the whole school day with them. I get a lot of understanding of the different challenges facing all parties and above all I have a lot of fun when I attend.

I am passionate about making a difference to the SSSfN family.

I joined the UET trust in 2023 and will be chairing the Finance and Audit Committee.