At Embark Federation, we believe that exceptional governance is the foundation of exceptional education. It is how we ensure every decision, every strategy and every action is rooted in our commitment to children, families and communities.
As a values-led trust serving more than 9,000 pupils across 29 schools, we recognise that strong governance is essential to delivering our vision of Love Learning, Love Life. That is why we are delighted to welcome Sue Atkinson as a Trustee and Jasmine Rawson as an Associate Trustee, strengthening our governance team with both experienced leadership and fresh perspectives.
Experience Meets Purpose
Sue Atkinson joins Embark with a deep understanding of both education and our Trust. Having previously served as a governor and Chair at Longford CofE Primary School when it joined Embark, Sue has witnessed first-hand the positive impact that strong governance can have on schools and communities.
Reflecting on her appointment, Sue said:
“The values of Embark struck a chord with me, and I was keen to work with them again.”
Sue believes governance has never been more important.
“It is such an important role, finding the balance of challenge and support for schools to continually strive to improve.”
With extensive experience in education, Sue brings a thoughtful and strategic perspective to the Trust Board.
“Strong governance is about being able to look at the picture from a different angle and provide an alternative perspective. This helps leaders to shape their thinking and be confident in their rationale for decision-making.”
As a Trustee, Sue is committed to supporting the Trust’s continued success while ensuring robust accountability.
“My experience in education will bring insight into the Trust and I hope to contribute by asking challenging but supportive questions.”
Investing in the Next Generation
Alongside welcoming experienced leaders, Embark is committed to developing the next generation of governance professionals.
The appointment of Jasmine Rawson as an Associate Trustee reflects the Trust’s ambition to create meaningful opportunities for emerging leaders to contribute to strategic decision-making and gain invaluable governance experience.
Currently training to become a teacher, Jasmine was inspired by the opportunity to understand education beyond the classroom.
“As a trainee teacher, lectures and placements focus on individual children, lessons and teaching approaches, but becoming an Associate Trustee provides the opportunity to understand the decisions that shape what happens in schools. It allows me to connect classroom practice with the broader strategic vision that supports it.”
For Jasmine, governance is about ensuring that every child has the opportunity to succeed.
“Ultimately, I want my own classroom to be a genuine reflection of the Trust’s vision and values, a place where every child feels they belong and has the opportunity to succeed and thrive.”
Jasmine sees her appointment as part of a wider commitment to future-focused governance.
“Being part of the next generation of governance is both exciting and brings a sense of responsibility. Education is constantly changing and evolving, therefore being part of the next generation means I have the opportunity to ensure that the voices of future pupils, future teachers and future communities are represented during decision-making.”
She also believes younger voices can make an important contribution to governance.
“Younger trustees can bring contemporary and classroom-based experiences, as well as new ideas around innovation, wellbeing and inclusivity.”
Since joining Embark, Jasmine has been struck by the Trust’s welcoming culture and collaborative approach.
“My experience with Embark has been incredibly valuable. The collaborative, reflective culture has made me feel welcomed and I have already learned an enormous amount about how strategic decisions are made and communicated across the federation.”
A Governance Model Built for the Future
At Embark, governance is about more than oversight. It is about creating the conditions for success, supporting leaders, championing our values and ensuring every decision is made in the best interests of children and young people.
By bringing together experienced trustees such as Sue and developing future leaders like Jasmine, we are creating a governance model that is both strong today and sustainable for tomorrow.
We believe the strongest boards reflect the communities they serve, drawing on a wide range of experiences, perspectives and expertise to make informed decisions and drive continuous improvement.
Our commitment to developing governance talent demonstrates our belief that leadership can come from many different backgrounds and career stages. By investing in people and creating pathways into governance, we are helping to ensure that the future of educational leadership remains innovative, representative and ambitious.
Join Us and Make a Difference
As Embark continues to grow, we are looking for passionate individuals who want to make a meaningful difference to the lives of young people across Derbyshire.
We are currently welcoming interest from people who may wish to become Trustees. While we would particularly value skills, knowledge or experience in areas such as:
we are equally interested in hearing from individuals who can bring different perspectives, experiences and skills to our Board.
You do not need to be an expert in any of these areas, nor do you need to have worked in education. What matters most is a commitment to our values, a desire to make a positive difference for children and young people, and a willingness to contribute to strategic discussions, ask thoughtful questions and support the continued success of our schools and communities.
We welcome expressions of interest from people of all backgrounds and are particularly keen to hear from those currently under-represented at board level. Diverse perspectives strengthen governance and help us better reflect the communities we serve.
Why Get Involved in Governance at Embark?
This is more than a voluntary role. It is an opportunity to help shape brighter futures for thousands of children and young people.
Whether you already have governance experience or are simply interested in finding out more, we would be delighted to hear from you.
If you are interested, would like to learn more, or would welcome an informal conversation about what being a Trustee involves, please contact:
EmbarkGovernance@embarkfed.org.uk