Academy Council
As part of Creative Education Trust, our school benefits from the support and challenge of an Academy Council.
Academy Councillors are volunteers who bring professional expertise, local knowledge and community perspectives to help ensure the school remains closely connected to the community it serves.
Working on behalf of the Trust Board, the Academy Council acts as the Trust's local "eyes and ears", championing stakeholder voice, supporting community engagement and providing constructive challenge to school leaders. Together, Academy Councillors help ensure that our school continues to deliver ambition, equity and opportunity for every learner.
Find out more about governance structures at Creative Education Trust.
Find out more about opportunities to volunteer on our Academy Council.
Below you can find details of the current members of our Academy Council. Attendance records and declarations of interest can be downloaded at the bottom of this page.
| Member Name | Member Role | First Appointed | Term Start | Term End |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michelle Lawrence | Principal | 02 Oct 2025 | 02 Oct 2025 | Ex-officio |
| Vacancy | Chair Community Councillor |
|||
| Jemma Adlington | Community Councillor | 01 Sept 2021 | 01 Nov 2024 | 31 Oct 2027 |
| Kut Jodiyawalla | Community Councillor | 01 Oct 2023 | 01 Oct 2023 | 30 Sep 2026 |
| Maria Malaescu | Staff Councillor | 04 Jun 2024 | 04 Jun 2024 | 03 Jun 2027 |
| Sam Whitaker | Staff Councillor | 04 Jun 2024 | 04 Jun 2024 | 03 Jun 2027 |
| Natalie Oxby | Parent Councillor | 10 Dec 2025 | 10 Dec 2025 | 10 Dec 2028 |
| Shahabas Tameez | Parent Councillor | 10 Dec 2025 | 10 Dec 2025 | 10 Dec 2028 |
| Colette Bailey | Parent Councillor | 10 Dec 2025 | 10 Dec 2025 | 10 Dec 2028 |
| Suzie Elson | Parent Councillor | 10 Dec 2025 | 10 Dec 2025 | 10 Dec 2028 |
| Indika Illeperuma | Parent Councillor | 10 Dec 2025 | 10 Dec 2025 | 10 Dec 2028 |
| Melissa Evans | Parent Councillor | 10 Dec 2025 | 10 Dec 2025 | 10 Dec 2028 |
Contacting the Academy Council
Any written correspondence should be addressed to The Chair of the Academy Council at Thistley Hough Academy, Thistley Hough, Penkhull, Stoke-On-Trent, Staffordshire, ST4 5JJ.
The Chair of the AC can be contacted in writing via the main office on enquires@thistleyhoughacademy.org.uk