Sally Wike, of Appleton Academy, wins Governor of the Year

Sally Wike and her team worked incredibly hard over a three-year period to help Appleton Academy achieve its first 'Good' result.

Peter Taylor, of Exceed Academies Trust, said: “The Governing Board at Appleton Academy was refreshed in 2018 and the Governors led by the chair, Sally Wike, have done an incredible job to drive continued improvement of the school year on year.

“The result of all the positive work came following a visit by Ofsted in November 2021. The school was rated ‘good’ by Ofsted for the first time in its history, with inspectors judging it ‘good’ in all areas."

Sally Wike was met on stage by Deputy Lord Mayor Councillor Beverley Mullaney.

Mrs Wike said: "Without the Exceed Trust, I don't think we would have got as far as we have got. It is not all down to me, it is down to a lot of other people as well.

"When I first started Exceed came in too, this school was in need of this injection of support. It has massively changed over the years.

"Everything the school now does is about how we can make the children's' experiences better and better, so they can achieve more and their lives are enriched by being at Appleton.

"Our ultimate ambition is to one day gain an ‘outstanding' rating."

On what it means to be a governor at the school, she added: "Being part of a huge organisation and being responsible for making sure that the school performs to the best it can.

"It is about the experience that the children have, so they can have the best opportunities in their lives."

Upon winning the award, Mrs Wike added: "I didn't expect to be nominated, so to win it is not expected at all. I am sure it can go in a trophy cabinet somewhere. It is always good to have recognition of all the work that has gone on."

Martin Alton (Moorfield School and Nursery) and Trevor Evans (Exceed Academies Trust) were also up for the award.