The Frank Field Education Trust (FFET) is delighted to announce that judges from the Cheshire West Governance Association have recently awarded the Chair of the Local Governing Body at The Ellesmere Port C of E College (EPC), Rev. Gordon McGuinness as the winner in the category ‘Chair of the Year 2022-23’.
The judges wished to recognise Gordon’s sustained contribution to the Collegethrough a very difficult period, during which the College has been totally transformed. The positive impact and transformation of this change on the pupils of the College is significant.
Launched in 2009, the school struggled for several years as The University Church of England Academy under its previous sponsor – the University of Chester Academy Trust.
It culminated in the school being placed in special measures in 2017 after Ofsted rated it as ‘inadequate’. The following year, the school was re-brokered by the Regional Director and transferred to The Frank Field Education Trust. The firstschool in fact to join the new sponsor. This change, including the school, being renamed The Ellesmere Port C of E College and this was also supported by the appointment of a new school Principal and senior leadership team and a new local governing body was assembled. This has resulted in the College completely turning around its fortunes as witnessed by Ofsted’s grading of Good overall, but also Good in all categories.
Ofsted went on to report that: “The governors and trustees are experienced and well equipped to provide high levels of challenge and support to leaders.â€