Member Biographies

Alice is Professor of Applied Linguistics and Head of School at the School of Education, University of Leeds.

She has a background in teaching English as an Additional Language in Britain, and TEFL and teacher education internationally. She researches in language and education, and is currently leading a large project on the language challenges facing students at the transition from primary to secondary school, funded by UKRI (UK Research and Innovation).

Sandra was Chairman of Harrogate & District NHS Foundation Trust from 2008 -2017.

Previously Sandra was a Non-Executive Director of the Trust between 1996 and 2006. Sandra is a Trustee and Vice Chair of Yorkshire Cancer Research and Trustee and Chair of Masiphumelele Trust Ltd, which raises funds for the education and support of children in a township in South Africa. Sandra has been involved with education over a number of years having been a Governor and then Chair of Governors at Harrogate Grammar School for ten years. Sandra is now the Chair of Red Kite Learning Trust.

Tony recently retired from a long and distingushed career in education.

His previous experience includes running a large secondary school, working as one of Her Majesty’s Inspectors of schools, both on individual assignments and as an associate Regional Director, and advising the Department for Education on academy performance.

Jim McHugh has worked in education for 50 years, as teacher, headteacher, OfSTED inspector, School Improvement Professional with a multinational management support company, a National Leader of Governance and more recently the Chair of Trustees with Red Kite Learning Trust.

He has had links with Harrogate Grammar School for 45 years: his wife was a teacher at the school, his sons were pupils and he became a governor in 2004.