Academy Committee
The Academy Committee (AC) support the Trustees to fulfil their responsibility for oversight of the school within the Trust, acting as the eyes and ears of the Board at local level. Their role is more focused than that of a traditional school governing body. The SAST central team manages – finance, HR, Estates, IT, and others.
The AC’s responsibility is to monitor and scrutinise teaching and learning, welfare, and safeguarding issues. The AC provides challenge and support to the Headteacher and senior leadership team, and represent the Trust to local stakeholders – parents, students, staff and the community. Two representatives of each AC are elected from among that school’s parents, while a further representative will be elected by the staff. The Headteacher is ex officio. Each AR is appointed for a term of four years, after which time, AC representatives, with agreement from the Trustees, may agree to renewal of further term(s).
The members of the Academy Committee are:
Annette Newman – Chair / Safeguarding
Jonty Archibald – Headteacher
Tom Power – Community Link
Tony Mattravers – Careers Link
Catherine Saget – SEND Link
Jane Matthews – Parent Engagement Link
Alan Burfitt – Staff
Scott White
Anya Calcott
The Governors can be contacted via the school. please send all correspondence to the Clerk to the AC: Bettina.walker@sast.org.uk marked for the attention of Chair of the Academy Committee.
Annette Newman – Chair/Safeguarding
Retired former teacher, who has lived in Dorset for 40 years and a mother of two sons, in their thirties, I have experienced state education from both sides. One of my sons is diagnosed with dyslexia and dyspraxia, so I have navigated SEND provision, the other son is Able and Gifted, both achieved a 2:1 in their respective degrees. The first works at J P Morgan and is a vice-president and the other is a charted accountant. I attended 9 schools before I left school at 18 years, the daughter of a farm manager. In fact, King Arthurs School was built in my birth year! I am Vice-Chair at Sturminster Newton High School, the school my eldest son attended.
I am passionate about community being involved with my village hall, church and promoting arts /performance events with the rural touring charity Artsreach. Currently I am researching the history of my village using censuses, mapping, and historic documents with a view to creating a walk booklet/podcast/website. My husband and I enjoy developing our garden, maintaining our pre-1700’s home and mastering the necessary craft skills. I enjoy volunteering in a charity boutique in Sturminster Newton, making friends and learning about customers’ lives who are visiting the town.
Tom Power
Tom is a former student of King Arthur’s School and went on to study at Strode College studying Business. Whilst at college he was elected onto Wincanton Town Council and got active in the local community. He has a massive passion for politics and has done from a young age, in May 2022 he was elected at the age of 20 onto Somerset County Council, the now new Somerset Council as the member for the Wincanton & Bruton Division.
In his spare time he likes to swim and he is a member of Wincanton Swim Club. He also plays the flugelhorn in the Wincanton Silver Band and attends many events in the local area with the band.
Tony Mattravers
Tony is a highly motivated individual who is passionate about helping other entrepreneurs and business owners to achieve not just their business, but also their personal goals.
Tony has worked with hundreds of business owners, working as an Independent Consultant, Growth Manager for the Business Growth Service, as well as consultant for South West Manufacturing Advisory Service (SWMAS). Tony has a wealth of Engineering, Project Management and IT expertise, as well as being a lean six sigma green belt expert.
Tony loves to introduce clients to new ideas, systems and strategies. He’ll challenge you to
answer the really hard questions and he’ll help you work out “how to make the boat go faster”. His passion for helping businesses is contagious and his straight talking approach, whilst greatly appreciated, is also inspiring and motivating.
In his spare time Tony had a vision to climb Mount Kilimanjaro and raise £5,000 for charity. This challenge was completed in September 2015 and Tony is utilising some of these experiences he gained, in helping business owners overcome mountains they have to climb.
Anya Calcott
Scott White
Catherine Saget
Jane Matthews
For more information on SAST governance arrangement click here.
Academy Committee Attendance 2025/2026 Governor Register of Interests