Academy Advisory Council

Peter Taylor

Peter Taylor has been Chair of the Academy Advisory Council for Hinde House Academy since its creation in Spring 2021, bringing with him a wealth of experience in the education sector as a Music Educator working in all phases from Key Stage 1 to University. He currently works as Education Development Editor and Singing Project Coordinator for Sheffield Music Hub, developing strategies, resources and training opportunities to increase the number of children in Sheffield with access to high quality singing lessons as part of their school life.

Within his role, Peter most enjoys the opportunities to support and challenge the academy, and continuously push for a better life for all pupils by supporting their learning and wellbeing. Pete’s firm belief in the importance of a broad and creative curriculum for all pupils, regardless of their starting points, meant his values align with the academy’s own. He praises the Trust for recognising the specific and individual needs of its community and looks forward to seeing the outcomes of strong pathway developed for all pupils across the Trust aged 2-19.

“Creativity is one of the Trusts’ values I resonate with. It provides the opportunity for people to take the knowledge, skills, experiences and opportunities they gain in life and use them in their own way to give back to the world.  A creative person doesn’t use their skills simply to fit into someone else’s idea of what is expected of them, but uses them to innovate, to improve and to find ways to make life better for themselves and others. To develop creativity in our children we need to give them countless opportunities to explore and challenge the world around them; countless opportunities to try and to fail, without fear of judgement so they can feel confident to get back up and keep trying; and countless opportunities to discover things that live outside their immediate experience”.

Alison Megahy

Alison Megahy joined the Longley Park Academy Advisory Council in September 2019 as Chair. Prior to retirement, Alison enjoyed a highly successful career, working as Vice Principal (Curriculum and Quality) at Longley Park for over a decade. Her career history and the strength of her expertise in the education sector including her role as Vice Principal and Head of Sixth Form/Assistant Principal at two large secondaries and as Senior Advisor at Doncaster Local Authority, responsible for 14-19 learning provides Alison with the knowledge to support her new role.

Joining the ACC has provided Alison with the opportunity to continue contributing to improving life changes of young people in the North East of Sheffield, and she looks forward to working in partnership with the Trust to collectively strive to improve standards, whilst keeping the student experience at the heart of all that they do.

Victoria Beever

Victoria Beever has worked closely with the Executive Principal in her role as Chair of the Wincobank and Concord since 2019,. Prior to joining the Trust, Victoria worked in a volunteer capacity at a local primary school and as a mentor for the Princes Trust, before being recommended the position by a friend who currently sits on the Trustee Board.

Praising the Trust for the positive outcomes it has on its academies, Victoria looks forward to supporting the academies grow from strength to strength and in time, welcoming further establishments to the Trust to help establish a strong network of academies and allow families an outstanding choice of academies for children. Whilst in position as Chair, Victoria and the rest of the board have established a strong committee of Advisors, who cover a broad range of skills and backgrounds which have shown great benefits to the two academies. In addition, the board has built strong relationships with the local community, which they hope will have a positive impact for pupils in the future.

“The Trust’s success at transforming vulnerable academies means a great deal to me. I

have witnessed and am witnessing first hand and in such a relatively short space of

time it’s fantastic outcomes and I look forward to contributing to this whilst in the role.

The Trust have an excellent ability of ensuring they have a varied amount of experience, not necessarily from a school background to help support and advise them amongst their Board and AACs which ensures variety and diversity, and I am very excited about the future of the academies within the Trust and seeing them add more to their umbrella.

The Trust feels like a family, and both teachers and children are encouraged to move within the Trust, meaning that there is continuity amongst the staff who know the children and the communities in which they live. It is truly unique, and I am privileged to belong to the AAC”.