King's Leadership Academy Bolton is part of the Great Schools Trust (GST), a company limited by guarantee.
The GST members and board of trustees are the proprietors of the trust and set the overarching vision and strategy for all of the GST academies. Trustees’ main responsibilities are the three core governance functions:
To discharge these duties successfully the board of trustees has delegated some of these responsibilities to executive leaders and local academy councils (LAC) (see the Scheme of Delegation for more information).
King's Bolton has a committed team of governors who are actively involved in school life. They successfully represent the local community and bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise from a variety of professional backgrounds. Governors include parent and staff representatives.
The LAC has delegated oversight for curriculum and standards, community presence and safeguarding. This includes attendance, student welfare and health and safety. Finance and staffing are the direct responsibility of the trust board. Nevertheless, the GST governance structure allows each LAC chair to be appointed as a trustee. Therefore, local governance is represented in board discussions.
In short, LACs are an integral part of the Trust’s governance structure. They are the eyes and ears on the ground at the school level. The LAC supports the trust board by adhering to its core governance functions and by holding the school to account for performance and development. In addition, they support school leaders by acting as their ‘critical friend’.
Should you wish to contact the Chair of the Local Academy Council or LAC please email them on s.rafique@greatschoolstrust.com or by post by addressing any correspondence for the attention of the chair of governors at the school’s address:
Please note that any complaints regarding the school must be raised in line with our complaints policy and cannot be raised directly with the Local Academy Council.
Welcome to King’s Leadership Academy Bolton.
It is an honour to be supporting this Great Schools Trust as the Kings Bolton Local Academy Council (LAC) Chair. I will be working directly with staff, pupils, parents, and my local community to fulfil the school’s commitment to setting Kings pupils up for success and encouraging them to fill their lives with purpose, hope and excellence.
As part of the Great Schools Trust, King’s aspires for excellence for all, developing young people’s character, independence, and intellect, to make them successful global citizens. Our values-based approach to education includes having the highest aspirations and ambitions for our pupils, developing resilience and encouraging them to persist in their learning. We aim to support and nurture well-rounded, honest, and self-aware young people. We want the Kings pupils to incorporate good values as well as excellence.
The Local Academy Council supports the trust and the school to meet this vision, holding the school to account by acting as its “critical friend”, defining the strategic vision, and monitoring and evaluating the performance and effectiveness of all components of school life. The LAC members include staff, parents, and local community representatives, all of whom bring a wide range of experience in the education sector.
We are passionate about creating an outstanding school environment where all pupils aspire to be the very best they can be, where education and enrichment enhance the progress and achievement our young people make, and where every member of the King’s community believe in, and achieve success.
Sophina Rafique- Chair of Governors and Co-opted Governor
I am proud to be the Kings Leadership Academy Bolton, LAC chair. I currently work as a Senior Lecturer in Law at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) and I am also a qualified Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales. I have had both many years’ experience in legal practice, specialising in Civil Litigation and working in Higher Education teaching law to postgraduate students. I hold both my legal qualifications and I am in the process of completing my Post Graduate Certificate in Education qualification. I believe that my experience in both education and the legal industry will help me in my role as the LAC chair in supporting the headteacher and governors with the Kings Leadership Academy Ethos, Governance and Strategic Direction.
Outside of this I am a Bolton Law Society Committee member and work closely with my local legal community. I also originate from Bolton, as such the development of young people within this region is something that is close to my heart. I aim to support students and the school in aiding them to ensure young people have access to opportunities and reach their full potential.
I am an avid believer in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and I believe every student deserves an equal chance at success.
Sofiana Bostan- Parent Governor
I have 17 years of teaching experience in various educational settings. During my career I have held a variety of leadership roles which have included responsibility for Early Years Ofsted Inspections, Safeguarding and Lead Practitioner for Philosophy and Ethics at KS3 and KS4.
I am passionate about the education that children receive and have a desire to ensure that every child gets the best possible education and opportunity to succeed in life.
I am proud to be part of such a vibrant learning community and to support King’s Bolton as a member of the Local Advisory Council.
Faruk Puda- Parent Governor
I was born in Bolton, and I have lived in Bolton all my life. When my first child enrolled at King’s Leadership Academy Bolton, I was very passionate and wanted to actively take part in this journey with him. I believe that all children and young adults should have the same opportunity to reach their full potential.
I am a Specialist lawyer in Immigration & Asylum based in Bolton and serve as a governor at King’s Leadership Academy Bolton.
My strength lies in my ability to remain calm in the most difficult situations. I also pride my teamwork and leadership skills which I have acquired through my career and commercial activities.
Dale Cooper- Co-opted Governor
I am currently Deputy Director (Strategic Partnerships) at The University of Manchester and I previously worked for H.M. Queen Rania of Jordan as Director of Communications and Strategic Partnerships. Prior to that I was Director of Development at the University of Reading and Deputy Director of Fundraising at King’s College London. I have spent much of my career in Higher Education, but it was during my time in Jordan that I saw the transformative effect that education can have on young people’s lives. It was through this experience that moved me to join the King’s Leadership Academy Bolton Local Academy Council.
Kelly James- Co-opted Governor
I have been a teacher for over 25 years, most of which has been at Lever Edge Primary Academy. I feel very privileged to now be the Headteacher, a role I have held since September 2019.
As one of the feeder primary schools for King’s Bolton, I felt joining the board would provide an opportunity to help ensure every pupil, within our shared community, gets the best possible chance to succeed and reach their full potential. Community is at the heart of everything I do.
I joined as a governor of the Local Advisory Council in 2019 when King’s Bolton was just starting to establish itself and have been with them on their journey to a good OFSTED.
I am committed to education as I firmly believe it is the gateway to life and every child deserves the best possible opportunities to fulfil their potential. I hope the contribution I make to King’s adds to the collective well-being and good practice of the school.
The Local Academy Council currently has a vacancy for a co-opted governor. We would love to hear from you if you are interested in joining our LAC.