Our Trustees
Our trustees generously give up their time to guide and support Releasing Potential as it seeks to grow and move forward. They are enthusiastic about the work that we do and open to new ways that we can develop as an organisation. Our trustees are an integral part of Releasing Potential’s decision-making, safeguarding, and financial processes, providing support and challenege to our senior team.
Paul Suter
Appointed 01/04/2008
Term of service: 4 + years
Record of attendance: 100%
Registered Interests: Children on the Edge
Paul has been Chair of Trustees since October 2022 having held the role previously (2008-2018). Paul has the skills essential to any board: a way with numbers. Paul is now retired but previously as Finance Director of a local business he provides guidance and support with budgeting and spreadsheets. As Chair of the Finance & Resources Sub Committee Paul he provides a wise voice and a steady hand, and has been instrumental in recent decisions around focusing the charity’s work on our central mission to support young people.
Polly Honeychurch
Appointed 09/01/2023
Term of service: 3 years
Record of attendance: 100%
Registered Interests: Governor (Crookhorn School & University of Portsmouth Academy Trust)
As a former primary school headteacher and CEO of a multi-academy trust in Portsmouth, Polly has worked in education for over 30 years. She has always been an advocate for inclusion and has worked hard to ensure every child has their voice heard. In her ‘spare’ time Polly is a foster carer and currently has two boys with special educational needs in long term placement with her. Polly chairs the Behaviour & Safety sub committee, supporting the Designated Safeguarding Lead and Deputy Safeguarding Leads within the school and providing oversight of safegaurding.
Mike King
Appointed 15/11/2023
Term of service: 3 years
Record of attendance: 100%
Registered Interests: None
Mike is the Chief Executive Officer of Releasing Potential, having founded the organisation in 2001. He is also Executive Head Teacher at Releasing Potential School.
Mike has strategic responsibility for the School and for the organisation as a whole and sits on the board of trustees as well as the Finance sub committee.
Dr Elise Eminson
Appointed 01/01/2017
Term of service: 6 years
Record of attendance: 100%
Registered Interests: None
Elise is an experienced secondary school English and Drama teacher and holds a PGCE, an MA in English Education and a PhD in Education Research. Her area of expertise is in talk-based teaching and learning. Elise has run her own education business and is a mother to four children. Elise chairs the Teaching, Learning & Standards sub committee and provides oversight of the quality of education across Releasing Potential School.
Peter Stanway
Appointed 10/01/2022 by The Board of Trustees
Term of service: 3 years
Record of attendance: 100%
Registered Interests: None
Peter has owned and operated a successful HR consultancy business for over 30 and is fully qualified in HR and Employment Law. He has extensive experience as a tribunal advocate, and lectures at university level on Employment Law. Peter is Chair of the HR & People sub committee at Releasing Potential, supporting decision-making around recruitment and retention of staff – in his spare time he has a keen interest in property development.
Previous Trustee Information
The following Trustees have left the Board of Trustees within the last 12 months:
Kate Palmer
Appointed 15/11/2022
Term of service: Interim
Record of attendance: 100%
Registered Interests: None
Kate Palmer served as Interim Safeguarding Trustee and steeped down as of 06/02/2023.
Alexis Brooker
Appointed 16/07/2018
Term of service: 4 years
Record of attendance: 100%
Registered Interests: None
Alexis Brooker served as the Chair of Trustees and stepped down as of 31/10/2022.
Governance Structure
Releasing Potential is governed by a Board of Trustees drawn from the worlds of business and education. The Board consists of sub-groups which report to the full Board, each dealing with a particular area of concern:
Behaviour & Safety Sub Committee
Polly Honeychurch (Chair)
Catherine Brennan (in attendance)
Steve Skinner (in attendance/ co-opted)
The Behaviour & Safety Group supports the School Leadership Team and Designated Safeguarding Lead(s) in Safeguarding students and staff and ensuring Releasing Potential is a safe place for all. The Group monitors decision making and recording processes to ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory frameworks.
Finance & Resources Sub Committee
Paul Suter (Chair)
Mike King (in attendance)
Jane Skinner (in attendance/co-opted)
The Finance Group works on setting the annual budget for the charity, on monthly management accounts, the Annual Report and Accounts submitted to the Charities Commission and Companies House, and any other finance-related issues which arise.
Teaching, Learning & Standards Sub Committee
Elise Eminson (Chair)
Jo King (in attendance/co-opted)
Alex Gray (in attendance)
Carol Page (in attendance)
The work of the TLS Subcomittee focuses on improving standards of teaching and learning in the school. The committee is concerned with ensuring the school meets independent school standards with a focus on the quality of education provided. The group conducts regular school visits and meetings and holds to account the Head of School and Executive Head Teacher in ensuring the best possible outcomes for students. The TLS subcommittee considers the School’s Self Evaluation Framework and advises on the School Improvement Plan.
People & HR Sub Committee
The People & HR sub committee is concerned with all aspects of supporting people in the organisation. The Group monitors decision making and recording processes to ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory frameworks.
Peter Stanway (Chair)
Catherine Brennan (in attendance)
Jill Avery (in attendance)
Full details of school governance arrangements for Releasing Potential School can be found on the school website.
Address:
Releasing Potential
Unit 7 Kingscroft Court
Ridgway
Havant
Hampshire
ENGLAND
PO9 1LS
Charity No: 1097440
Company No: 04622100
Telephone:
023 9247 9762
Email:
info@releasingpotential.com
© Releasing Potential 2017