Community Champion: Robert John Kenwrick
This Community Champion story focuses on Robert John Kenwrick, whose long-standing contribution as a Trustee working across three academies, and as Vice Chair of the Trust and Chair of the School Advisory Board at River Academy, supports strong governance and meaningful links between schools and their communities.
Robert’s role centres on helping schools provide safe, supportive learning environments where students can achieve both academically and socially. He sees governance as a way to connect schools to the wider community, locally and nationally, ensuring that education remains grounded in real-world context and shared responsibility.
“It’s about providing a place where it is a safe learning environment for students to achieve across all aspects of life,” Robert explained, “while also providing that link to the community as a whole.”
“Providing a place where it is a safe learning environment for students to achieve both academically and socially is fundamental.”
His motivation comes from seeing collective effort lead to meaningful outcomes. “I have a strong desire to see things through successfully,” he said. “That means working with teachers, support staff, students and parents, so that everyone, from Trust to parents, can reach their goals.”
Robert credits the effectiveness of his work to collaboration. “Working with like-minded people within the Trust, including governors with a wide range of skills and abilities, has shaped my approach,” he said, highlighting the value of shared expertise at board and committee level.
Reflecting on MET values, Robert pointed to Work Together as central to his role. He described how effective governance relies on alignment from the Trust Board, through committees and senior leaders, and on into schools and classrooms.
Looking ahead, Robert explained that Trustees continue to work collectively on planned improvements and sustainable growth, ensuring the Trust maintains the right balance of schools and staff to meet future goals.
Robert’s involvement in school governance began 25 years ago, when his sons were at primary school. “Giving my time to educational establishments is very rewarding,” he reflected, explaining how seeing academic progress and improvements in students’ social awareness has sustained his long-term commitment to education and community life.
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