Board of Trustees
The Trust seeks to fill the Board of Trustees with people who live in the local area, where possible, whilst having regard for the balance of skills and experience that it needs to fulfil its functions.
CHAIR OF TRUSTEES
Sam Chapman
Sam Chapman
Samantha Chapman is Chair of Trustees at The Cornerstone Academy Trust, having served on the Trust Board since 2017. With a professional background in early years education and leadership, she brings extensive experience and insight to the Trust’s governance and strategic development.
As Chair, Samantha works closely with fellow trustees and school leaders to help shape the Trust’s strategic direction and ensure the highest standards of education, safeguarding, and pupil wellbeing. During her time on the board, she has served on and chaired a range of committees, including Finance, Standards, Hub Governance and Local Area Boards. She currently chairs the Personnel Committee and is a member of the Education Committee.
Samantha is passionate about the Trust’s vision of providing an inclusive education that enables every child to thrive and achieve their full potential. She recognises the importance of preparing young people for a rapidly changing world and supports the delivery of high-quality teaching, enriched by the thoughtful use of technology. She believes that digital tools can both enhance learning opportunities for pupils and support staff in managing workload effectively, helping to maintain consistently high standards of teaching and learning.
Samantha feels privileged to support this distinctive and highly successful Trust. She remains committed to helping it continue to grow, innovate and make a lasting positive impact on the lives of children, families and the wider community.
Appointed by the board of trustees | term of office september 2017 | date of appointment: september 2017
VICE-CHAIR OF TRUSTEES AND CHAIR OF FINANCE COMMITTEE
Ashley Dyer
Ashley joined the governing body in 2021 and became the Vice-Chair of Trustees in September 2022. He took over as Chair of the Finance Committee in September 2022. Ashley is a former secondary school senior leader and current programme leader and advanced teaching practitioner in further education and all his children attended Broadclyst Community Primary School. Historically Ashley worked as a web developer, and he has a keen interest in the role of digital technology in education.
Appointed by the board of trustees | term of office february 2021 | date of appointment: february 2021
CEO & EXECUTIVE HEADTEACHER FOR CORNERSTONE ACADEMY TRUST
Jonathan Bishop
Jonathan is the Chief Executive of the Trust and sits on most of the sub-committees. He has been with the Trust since 1993, initially as a class teacher at Broadclyst Primary School, then Deputy Head and subsequently Headteacher. He was instrumental driving through the Academisation of the Trust in 2010. Jonathan is passionate about ensuring all children are provided with a broad and balanced curriculum with enhanced opportunities to grow and develop themselves as young people. He has worked regionally, nationally and sometimes globally to broaden the Trust’s educational offer and to support other schools. He was recently appointed as a DfE RISE (Regional Improvement for Standards and Excellence) Adviser helping to support schools throughout the Southwest region with driving up standards. Jonathan has 3 children who moved through Broadclyst Primary School, with one now working for the Trust and the other two at university.
Appointed by the board of trustees | term of office september 2010 | date of appointment: september 2010
CHAIR OF EDUCATION COMMITTEE, DESIGNATED TRUSTEE FOR SAFEGUARDING, SEND AND LOOKED AFTER CHILDREN
Ken Dyson
Ken joined the Broadclyst governors in 2010. He is the Chair of the Education sub-committee and sits on other sub-committees. He is also the designated Trustee for Safeguarding, SEND and Looked After Children. He is now retired, but worked as an HMI Inspector for 18 years, including 5 as the IT lead and 4 as a regulator for Ofsted Inspections. He continued working with various educational bodies after his retirement.
Appointed by the board of trustees | term of office september 2010 | date of appointment: september 2010
CHAIR OF ADMISSIONS COMMITTEE
Myles Gordon
Myles has served as a school governor since December 2014. He currently chairs the Admissions sub-committee and sits on others. Outside of education, Myles works as an Independent Lending Consultant and holds a position as a Councillor on the local Parish Council. He is also a parent of a former Broadclyst Primary School pupil, now continuing their education at college.
Appointed by Board of Trustees | Term of Office December 2014 | Date of Appointment: December 2014
CHAIR OF FACILITIES COMMITTEE
John Waddingham
John joined as a governor in 2015. He Chairs the Facilities Committee as well as sitting on other committees. He is employed as Principal Hydrologist for the Environment Agency’s water resources hydrology service. John has 3 children who moved through Broadclyst Primary School and are now at secondary.
Appointed by Board of Trustees | Term of Office March 2015 | Date of Appointment: March 2015
MEMBER OF EDUCATION COMMITTEE AND LINK TRUSTEE FOR PREMIUM
Lorwyn Randall
Lorwyn is an experienced school leader who now works for the Education Endowment Foundation – the ‘What Works Centre for Education’ – leading its support offer for the education system nationally. He has 15 years’ teaching and leadership experience, previously led Devon Research School, and holds a Master’s in Education Research from the University of Exeter, alongside earlier work in Torbay Social Services. Lorwyn is a member of Cornerstone MAT’s Education Committee and the link Trustee for the Pupil Premium.
Appointed by the board of trustees | term of office September 2025 | date of appointment: September 2025
MEMBER OF PERSONNEL COMMITTEE
Jenny Goodall
Jenny joined the Board of Trustees in September 2025 and sits on the Trust’s Personnel Committee. She works for Devon Education Services (part of Devon County Council) and is a highly qualified, experienced Data Protection Officer (DPO) providing expert support and guidance to a wide range of schools, federations and multi-academy trusts across the Southwest. Jenny has two teenaged children who have progressed through Devon’s education system, is the Trust’s DPO, and brings a wealth of knowledge on all information governance related matters.
Appointed by the board of trustees | term of office September 2025 | date of appointment: September 2025
MEMBER OF FINANCE AND FACILITIES COMMITTEE
Ben Harper
Ben joined the Board of Trustees in July 2025 and sits on the Trust’s Finance and Facilities Committees. He is an ACA chartered accountant and is now a Senior Management Accountant. He has worked as an auditor for the Trust in the past whilst working for Bishop Fleming where his interest grew around the work that the Trust does. He is a member of the St Austell Brewery Family Council supporting them with their business strategy.
Appointed by the board of trustees | term of office July 2025 | date of appointment: July 2025
MEMBER OF FINANCE COMMITTEE
Paul Whitmarsh
Paul’s connection with Cornerstone began when his son was part of the first intake of pupils at Westclyst in 2016.
After spending time on the Westclyst Local Advisory Body, Paul became a Trustee in 2018 and served as both Chair and Vice Chair during his initial tenure with the Board. After a four year break Paul has now returned as a Trustee and is part of the Finance and Audit Committee.
Paul is Managing Director of a leading firm of Independent Financial Advisers in Exeter and has had a long and successful career in Financial Services.
Having seen first-hand the positive impact that Cornerstone makes to children’s lives he is a passionate supporter of what the Trust stands for.
