Local Advisory Board

What is a Local Advisory Board (LAB)?

The Orchard and Shepherdswell Local Advisory Board is the local tier of governance of East Midlands Academy Trust, and it acts as a sub-committee to the Trust Board. Members of the Local Advisory Board as known as Governors.

The key roles of the LAB are:

To offer proactive support and constructive challenge to the Headteacher
To advise the board of trustees about local issues they need to consider that affect the academy.
To ensure that EMAT vision, mission and values are evident throughout the Academy
Represent the local community.
Represent the Academy in its community.

These roles translate specifically into the following tasks:

ensure that all children receive the best possible education
ensure safeguarding is effective
support the Headteacher and Senior Leadership Team in the development and implementation of the School Development Plan and other relevant plans,
ensure the implementation of Academy policies.
regularly review the Academy’s performance.
oversee and monitor the effectiveness of local strategies
act as a key link between the Academy, parents, and local community.
support the work of the Academy in the community.

The LAB’s role is not to manage the Academy as such. This is done through the Board of Trustees. Therefore, the LAB is not required to take decisions on staff or financial matters affecting the Academy.

Governors at the LAB will gain an understanding of strategic issues that impact on the Academy and will be updated on them regularly by the Headteacher, but they are not required to have direct responsibility for them. Instead the LAB should be in a position to assess the impact of the Academy locally; how it is contributing to the local community, how it is relating to local families and how it understands local issues. This in turn, will enable the LAB to contribute effectively to decisions which may require LAB involvement.

The LAB is drawn from the staff of the school, parents and the wider community that the school serves. The usual term of office for a governor is four years but many members of the LAB stand for re-election and serve more than one term. Members of a LAB need to take a full and active role in fulfilling the role assigned to them by the Board. This will include regular visits to the Academy and attending up to six meetings per year.

To contact any of our governors, please email governance@emat.uk

Here is a list of our current governors

Name	Position
Zoe McIntyre	Executive Headteacher Orchard and Shepherdswell
Chris Akpakwu	Co-Opted Governor
Graham Knight	Co-Opted Governor
Ross Everard	Co-Opted Governor
Hitesh Katechia	Co-Opted Governor (Chair)
Kirsty Weatherspoon	Staff Governor Shepherdswell
Rupinder Obhi	Staff Governor Orchard

Meet our governors

Chris Akpakwu

Chris is an experienced business leader and human resources professional with extensive experience in banking, project management and human resources, specialising in business transformation, M&A, employee experience and leadership development. He is a Chartered member of the CIPD and an alumnus of the University of Sunderland Business School. He enjoys supporting young people with access to early careers as a mentor for the Social Mobility Foundation.

Chris is a parent governor with two children at Orchard and is looking forward to bringing insights and experience to support Orchard & Shepherdswell values and maintain high standards

Kirsty Weatherspoon

Kirsty is an Early Years specialist teacher and has been working within the sector including KS1 for over a decade. During this time, she has been a both a team leader and manager of an Early Years setting where she enjoys teaching young children and instils valuable hands on learning experiences. This helps the children make sense of the world around them - thus building strong key foundations as they begin their educational journey.

She has an Early Years teacher qualification (EYTS) and is very much looking forward to obtaining her Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) this year.

Having previously run a pre-school which was charity owned and part of the committee she ensured the smooth running of the Early Years setting. She is also a member of a local carnival committee who are dedicated all year round to organise and co-ordinate a fun packed family weekend out every summer.

Kirsty is currently a Reception teacher at Shepherdswell Academy and joined in August 2022. She is also part of the school PTA.

Graham Knight

Graham is a Programme Director / Consultant currently working in an international military environment specialising in communications, intelligence and cyber projects. He has an extensive background in telecoms and electronics spanning various business sectors. Graham is an associate of the BCS and holds PRINCE2 and MSP Practitioner and APMP qualifications. Away from work, Graham is married with 3 children, so a lot of his time is spent driving and supporting them at ballet and gymnastics lessons. When he does get the time, he likes classic cars and running.

Ross Everard

Ross is an experienced and dynamic professional whose career spans senior leadership, digital transformation, and operations across both private and public-sector environments. Ross brings to the school a strong grasp of complex organisational frameworks, stakeholder engagement and innovative change management, enriched by his experience at board-level and international business contexts. Ross has experience in employment tribunals and high court proceedings involving complex shareholder matters, and has recently transitioned his business into employee ownership by way of an Employee Ownership Trust.

He holds a Certificate in Company Direction from the Institute of Directors (IoD), underscoring his commitment to governance, strategic decision-making and ethical leadership.

Ross is new to school governance and is looking forward to making a positive impact.

Outside his professional life, Ross is a devoted father to two young daughters. He is a passionate supporter of Northampton Saints, enjoys playing the guitar and has a long-standing love of quizzing—having participated in the Milton Keynes Quiz League from 1996 through to 2024.

Hitesh Katechia

Hitesh is a Qualified Chartered Certified Accountant and a seasoned Chief Financial Officer with a strong background in business transformation, financial planning, and private equity engagements. He has successfully led multiple business turnarounds, including the trade sale of a high-end luxury product business recently. He has worked in including manufacturing/marine /automotive /retail/food.

Having held multiple Board positions, including being Chairman of Radical Sportscars he brings a wealth of commercial knowledge to complement his role as Governor for the EMAT trust.

Outside work he loves watching cricket and following the performances of his son who plays minor counties cricket, as well a charitable work for the local community.

Rupinder Obhi

Rupinder Obhi is an experienced primary school teacher with over 20 years of classroom experience. She is a dedicated practitioner committed to supporting pupils’ academic, social, and emotional development. She currently leads Religious Education (RE) and Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education, supporting curriculum development and inclusive practice across the school. Rupinder also has leadership experience at both middle and senior levels and has successfully led the school’s Pupil Parliament, helping to strengthen pupil voice and engagement.

Previously serving as a Staff Governor has given her valuable insight into school governance and the importance of strong collaboration between staff and governors.

Outside of work, Rupinder is a devoted wife and mother of three. She enjoys being creative, going to the gym, spending time with loved ones, and volunteering at her local Gurdwara.

Danielle Cafearo

Danielle is a Volunteering Manager at a university, leading the strategic development of programmes that strengthen learner experience, engagement and academic governance. She brings significant experience in governance, representation and community engagement, with a strong track record of leading service development across higher education, charity and legal sectors.

Passionate about widening participation and creating supportive environments, Danielle is motivated by helping individuals navigate complex systems with confidence and is particularly committed to inclusive practice; ensuring processes are fair, transparent and centred on the needs of the individual.

Danielle holds an undergraduate degree in Law and a Level 7 Professional Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership from the Chartered Management Institute, as well as a Diploma in Professional Marketing.

Danielle built a strong foundation in academic governance and operational leadership throughout her roles within higher education.

Outside of work, Danielle enjoys painting, volunteering in community events and values time spent with family.