A BARNSLEY school trust leader and former Hoyland Common headteacher is one of just 36 members to be selected for a national education advisory board.

Tom Banham, a former Hoyland Common Primary School headteacher and chief executive officer of Hoyland Common Academy Trust (HCAT) - now a multi-academy trust with six schools in the borough - was elected as an adviser of regional schools commissioners (RSCs).

The elected advisers will help RSCs oversee the academy sector and conversions of maintained schools in their regions.

“It’s great to have been elected,” said Tom.

“Barnsley’s been knocked for a long time for lots of things, so it’s great to feel like I can be an advocate for Barnsley on this level and that what we’ve done here is recognised.”