The Board
This page contains information about the Learn Sheffield Board. This includes making the agenda and non-confidential versions of papers and minutes for meetings of Learn Sheffield’s Board of Directors available for inspection. Please note that non-confidential minutes will only be made available after they have been approved by the Board at its subsequent meeting. All correspondence regarding the board should be directed to the Clerk to the Board via Andrew.bingham@learnsheffield.co.uk.
Click on the links below to learn more.
Current Board
Meeting Dates
AGM 2022
Board Recruitment
Previous AGMs
Interim Board
The Current Board
The first substantive Learn Sheffield Board was elected in December 2016 at the EGM (Extraordinary General Meeting). The Board has eight nominated members, listed below, and has the option to co-opt a further four members. Antony Hughes is the Chair of the Learn Sheffield Board.
- Stephen Betts [Chief Executive Officer – Executive Director]
- Antony Hughes [Chair of the Board – co-opted Director]
- Mike Westerdale [Secondary School sector]
- Bev Matthews [Secondary School sector]
- Christopher Holder [Primary School sector]
- Nicola Shipman [Primary School Sector]
- Dean Linkhorn [Specialist School sector]
- Paul Simpson [FE sector Director]
- Angela Lant [co-opted Director]
- James Henderson [SCC nominated Director - temporarily extended]
Meeting Dates
Board
- Thursday 2 December 2021, 4.00pm
- Thursday 3 February 2022, 4.00pm
- Thursday 17 March 2022, 4.00pm
- Thursday 12 May 2022, 4.00pm
- Thursday 16 June 2022, 4.00pm
- Thursday 14 July 2022, 4.00pm
Finance and Audit Committee
- Wednesday 17 November 2021, 3.00pm
- Wednesday 19 January 2022, 3.00pm
- Wednesday 27 April 2022, 3.00pm
- Wednesday 29 June 2022, 3.00pm
These dates are correct as at September 2021 but may be subject to change. All meetings are expected to be held via Video Conference until it is safe to return to in-person meetings.
Learn Sheffield AGM 2022
Learn Sheffield Annual General Meeting – 3rd February 2022
The Annual General Meeting of Learn Sheffield will be held on Thursday 3rd February 2022 at 6.00pm. Due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, the meeting will be held virtually, via Zoom (joining instructions are available to members from enquiries@learnsheffield.co.uk).
The agenda items include AGM resolutions in respect of the Financial Statements for the period 1st September 2020 to 31st August 2021, the Directors’ report, the appointment of auditors for 2021/22 and the appointment of Directors for the primary, secondary and further education sectors following calls for nominations during 2021. Proxy forms for members who cannot attend but wish to appoint another attending person or the chair to cast their votes are posted here.
In accordance with the Company’s Articles (Article 40) the attendance of 20 members is required for the AGM to be quorate, consequently it would be appreciated if members could indicate whether or not their establishment will be represented at the meeting (providing the name and designation of the attendee(s) if applicable). Please reply to enquiries@learnsheffield.co.uk, preferably no later than Friday 28th January 2022.
The following documents are posted on this page:
Agenda for the Learn Sheffield AGM – 3rd February 2022
Notice of AGM and Board Resolutions 2022
Learn Sheffield Directors Strategic Report 2020-21 - AGM
Learn Sheffield - Final Members Accounts 2020-21
Learn Sheffield Proxy Form
Guidance Notes re: Proxy Form
Published on behalf of Antony Hughes
Chair of the Board of Directors
Board Recruitment
Advertisement: Co-opted Directors for the Learn Sheffield Board of Directors
Learn Sheffield wishes to appoint up to two additional directors to join its board. Learn Sheffield is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion and particularly welcomes applicants from people of colour and other minority groups.
This is an opportunity to join a board of well-respected leaders and to influence the future of education in Sheffield. You will be joining the board of Learn Sheffield, an innovative partnership, which is poised at an important moment in its development. You will have the opportunity to shape the strategic direction of Learn Sheffield as it gears up for a crucial role in shaping and delivering on the 10-year education strategy for the city.
We are seeking to appoint directors who can contribute to the strategic direction of the Company.
Learn Sheffield welcomes expressions of interest from suitably experienced individuals with commercial, legal, HR and finance backgrounds and an interest or background in education.
Learn Sheffield particularly welcomes applications from individuals from diverse backgrounds and is keen to ensure that the board has the knowledge and experience to serve our communities.
How to Apply
Please complete the application form, or contact Andy Wynne (Governance Advisor) or Stephen Betts (CEO) for more information about the role.
Background
Learn Sheffield is a not- for-profit schools company, which is focused on school improvement and is owned by Sheffield’s schools and colleges (who own 80%) in partnership with Sheffield City Council (SCC owns 20%). You can see more background about Learn Sheffield here on our website.
The Learn Sheffield board is responsible for the strategic direction of the company and for monitoring its impact on outcomes for children, young people, schools & colleges and the wider education system in the city.
Learn Sheffield (LS) is at an exciting and challenging moment it its development. Since its launch over six years ago, LS has established an impressive partnership model for school improvement, with sector-leading engagement from the city’s schools and academies. Schools are overwhelmingly positive about both the leadership of the organisation and the quality of service – engagement is high and the platform is firmly established.
There are some key challenges to tackle in the years ahead – and significant opportunities to be seized as we move beyond the COVID pandemic.
A refreshed commission from Sheffield City Council (SCC) and our second school subscription package, alongside a brand-new Education Strategy mean that Learn Sheffield is moving into a period of great opportunity and potential to grow as we tackle the key challenges facing the school and college system in the city.
We are recruiting for that growth – we recruited a new Finance & Operations Director in October 2021 and our new experienced and highly-regarded Director of School Improvement has just joined us in January 2022.
Previous AGMs
AGM 2021
AGM 2020
AGM 2019
AGM/EGM 2018
AGM/EGM 2016
Learn Sheffield AGM 2021
Learn Sheffield Annual General Meeting – 4th February 2021
The Annual General Meeting of Learn Sheffield will be held on Thursday 4th February 2021 at 6.00pm. Due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, the meeting will be held virtually, via Zoom (joining instructions below available to members from enquiries@learnsheffield.co.uk).
The AGM will be held on Thursday 4th February 2021 at 6.00pm via Zoom
Zoom details are available from Learn Sheffield – email enquiries@learnsheffield.co.uk
The agenda items include AGM resolutions in respect of the Financial Statements for the period 1 September 2019 to 31 August 2020, the Directors’ report, the appointment of auditors for 2019/20 and the appointment of a Director for the secondary sector following the call for nominations last year. Proxy forms for members who cannot attend but wish to appoint another attending person or the chair to cast their votes are posted here.
In accordance with the Company’s Articles (Article 40) the attendance of 20 members is required for the AGM to be quorate, consequently it would be appreciated if members could indicate whether or not their establishment will be represented at the meeting (providing the name and designation of the attendee(s) if applicable). Please reply to governance@learnsheffield.co.uk, preferably no later than Friday 29th January 2021.
The following documents are posted on this page:
Draft Agenda for Learn Sheffield AGM - 4th February 2021
Notice of AGM and Board Resolutions 20-21
Learn Sheffield Directors Strategic Report 2019-2020 - AGM
Members Accounts 2019/2020
Proxy Form
Guidance Notes re: Proxy Form
Published on behalf of Mike Allen
Chair of the Board of Directors
Learn Sheffield AGM 2020
Our fourth Annual General Meeting will be held on Thursday 30 January 2020 at 6.30 pm at Learn Sheffield Training and Development Hub, Lees Hall Road, Sheffield, S8 9JP.
The agenda items include AGM resolutions in respect of the Financial Statements for the period 1 September 2018 to 31 August 2019, the Directors’ report, the appointment of auditors for 2019/20 and the appointment of Directors following the call for nominations last term.
In accordance with the Company’s Articles (Article 40) the attendance of 20 members is required for the AGM to be quorate, consequently it would be appreciated if you could indicate whether or not your establishment will be represented at the meeting (providing the name and designation of the attendee(s) if applicable). Please reply to governance@learnsheffield.co.uk preferably no later than Friday 24 January 2020.
The papers for this meeting are below:
Notice of AGM and Board Resolutions
Learn Sheffield Directors' Strategic Report 2018-19
Learn Sheffield Member Accounts 2019
Proxy form
Guidance notes regarding proxy form
Learn Sheffield AGM 2019
Minutes of the AGM
Resolution of the AGM
Notice of AGM and Board Resolutions
Proxy form
Guidance notes re Proxy
Learn Sheffield Directors Strategic Report 2017-2018
Learn Sheffield Full Accounts 2018
Please find attached formal notice of the third Annual General Meeting together with a proxy form and guidance notes for completion. The AGM will be held on Wednesday 27 February 2019 at 5.00 pm at Learn Sheffield Training and Development Hub, Lees Hall Road, Sheffield, S8 9JP.
The agenda items include AGM resolutions in respect of the Financial Statements for the period 1 September 2017 to 31 August 2018, the Directors’ report, the appointment of auditors for 2018/19 and the appointment of a Secondary School sector Director following the call for nominations and subsequent ballot last term.
In accordance with the Company’s Articles (Article 40) the attendance of 20 members is required for the AGM to be quorate, consequently it would be appreciated if you could indicate whether or not your establishment will be represented at the meeting (providing the name and designation of the attendee(s) if applicable). Please reply to bookings@learnsheffield.co.uk preferably no later than Friday 22 February 2019.
Learn Sheffield AGM/EGM 2018
Articles approved at EGM (10.04.18)
Model resolution for the AGM
Model resolution for the EGM
Due to insufficient Members being present to constitute a quorum at the EGM on Thursday 22 March 2018, in accordance with Article 40 the Meeting will be re-convened on Tuesday 10 April 2018 at 1.00 pm, at Learn Sheffield Training and Development Hub, Lees Hall Road, Sheffield, S8 9JP. The resolution to be passed at the EGM relates to changes to the Company’s Articles (which have been approved by the Board and agreed by Sheffield City Council). The attendance of one third of members (43) is required for the Meeting to be quorate, consequently it would be appreciated if you could indicate whether or not your establishment will be represented at the meeting. Please reply to bookings@learnsheffield.co.uk preferably no later than Friday 5 April 2018. A proxy form is available on request – please email val.struggles@learnsheffield.co.uk
Postponement of the Learn Sheffield reconvened Annual General Meeting plus Extra ordinary General Meeting scheduled for 28 February 2018
Due to the inclement weather conditions, the reconvened AGM and the EGM scheduled for Wednesday 28 February 2018 were cancelled. These meetings have been rescheduled for Thursday 22 March 2018, 6.30 pm at Learn Sheffield Training and Development Hub, Lees Hall Road, Sheffield, S8 9JP. Please find attached a formal notice of the AGM/EGM together with a proxy form and guidance notes for completion. The AGM Resolutions relate to the Company’s Financial Statements for the period 1 September 2016 to 31 August 2017, the Directors’ report, the appointment of auditors for 2017/18 and the appointment of Directors. The EGM Resolution relates to changes to the Company’s Articles.
The attendance of one third of members (43) is required for the AGM / EGM to be quorate, consequently it would be appreciated if you could indicate whether or not your establishment will be represented at the meeting. Please reply to bookings@learnsheffield.co.uk preferably no later than 4.00 pm Wednesday 21 March 2018.
Financial statements for filing 2017 24.01.18[3010]
Directors' Report for the AGM[3005]
Revised Guidance notes re proxy
Revised Notice of AGM EGM and Board resolutions
REVISED Proposed wording for changes to Articles Spring 2018[1971]
Revised Proxy form
The Interim Board
The Learn Sheffield Interim Board guided the company through its first year, taking responsibility for the companies performance in its first full year and the recruitment of the substantive Chief Executive. The recruitment of the CEO took place in the spring of 2016. The Interim board presented the first company accounts and annual report at the first Learn Sheffield AGM (Annual General Meeting), in the autumn of 2016, which was followed immediately by an EGM (Extraordinary General Meeting). At the EGM the interim board resigned and was replaced by the first substantive board, elected according to the Articles.
The Interim Board had six members, five of these members were nominated by a different sector and the sixth co-opted following a recruitment process. Darren Tidmarsh was the Chair of the Learn Sheffield Interim Board.
- Mike Allen (Co-opted School Governor)
- David Bowes (Secondary School sector)
- Dean Linkhorn (Specialist School sector)
- Councillor Geoff Smith (Sheffield City Council)
- Paul Stockley (Primary School sector)
- Darren Tidmarsh (Sheffield College)