Aquinas Advisory Council

The school is an academy within the Aquinas Church of England Education Trust (Aquinas).

The responsibility for the oversight and management of all aspects of the Aquinas Trust (Aquinas) rests with the Board of Trustees. The day-to-day management of Aquinas has been delegated by the Trustees to the Chief Executive Officer, Kathy Griffiths. The day-to-day operation of Robertsbridge Community College has been delegated to the Headteacher, Mr Clive Rosewell.

In order to assist the Headteacher, Mr Clive Rosewell, the Trustees of Aquinas have established Aquinas Advisory Councils (AAC) for each academy including Robertsbridge Community College.

Key members of the Robertsbridge Community College AAC are as follows:

• Member of the AAC with responsibility for Safeguarding: Fiona Willis (to contact, please email info@aquinastrust.org and include in the subject line “For the attention of Fiona Willis, member of the AAC”)
• Member of the AAC with responsibility for Careers: Andrew Ferguson (to contact, please email info@aquinastrust.org and include in the subject line “For the attention of Andrew Ferguson, member of the AAC”)

The purpose and responsibilities of the Aquinas Advisory Council

The purpose of the AAC is to support, advise and be a critical friend to the Headteacher in raising standards of achievement and progress for all learners.

The AAC does have delegated responsibility in relation to aspects of admissions, appointment of staff, complaints, performance management, permanent exclusions, school inspections, staff grievance and disciplinary. The AAC also has the ability to escalate concerns to the Headteacher, CEO or Trustees.

The AAC members meet at least three times a year and certain members will have specific functions as agreed by the AAC and the Headteacher. Members will also forge links with the school and wide community. Notes of the AAC meeting are available on request.

AAC Members’ code of conduct and declaration of business interests support the following principles: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.

If you wish to contact the Chair of the AAC or any of its members, please email: info@aquinastrust.org and include in the subject line “For the attention of the clerk to the Aquinas Advisory Council”. 

Other key information

• The Aquinas Data Protection Officer is Mary Capon (to contact, please email info@aquinastrust.org and include in the subject line “For the attention of Mary Capon, Data Protection Officer”)
• Oversight of Policies sits with Barry Blakelock (to contact, please email info@aquinastrust.org and include in the subject line “For the attention of Barry Blakelock, regarding Aquinas policies”)