Governors
Welcome
Elmwood School has a governing body made up of ten members (9 governors and one associate member). These include representatives from the Local Authority, community (co-opted), parents and staff. At a meeting of the full governing body it was agreed to give associate members full voting rights.
The role of joint Chair of Governors is carried out by Mrs Sallyann Tuckwell Allen and Miss Hannah Shepherd. The Vice Chair of Governors is Ms Sarah Thornton and the Clerk to the Governors is Mrs Dawn Canham.
The Governing Body has three main key roles which are to provide a strategic view, to act as a critical friend to the headteacher and staff and to ensure accountability.
Vacancies currently exist for two co-opted governors.
Expertise
The Governing Body bring a wealth of expertise to the School and is currently made up of eight members, 3 male and 5 female. These members represent a wide range of expertise and consist of eight members of white ethnicity and one black Caribbean.
In addition to the Headteacher, Lee Cross, we have the following Governors:-
Mrs Sallyann Tuckwell-Allen joined the Governing Body in January 2018 as an LA Governor and is an Assistant Head and SENCO at a local primary School. Mrs Tuckwell-Allen is the link governor for safeguarding/attendance and is joint Chair of Governors.
Ms Sarah Thornton, mom to a Year 11 leaver, joined the Governing Body on the 17th March 2021 as a parent governor. Sarah is link governor for pupil wellbeing/PSHE as well as Vice Chair of Governors.
Miss Lisa Jones, parent, joined the Governing Body on the 26th January 2023 as a parent governor. Lisa is a link governor for the creative technologies curriculum.
Mr Leon Donaldson, teaching assistant, was elected as a staff governor with effect from 5th July 2021. Leon is a valued member of staff who supports our pupils in class and is a great asset to the team.
Mrs Di Cadman joined the team as an associate member in October 2021. As a former teaching assistant at the school, Di knows the school well and will help to support the school vision of following the Elmwood Way.
Miss Hannah Shepherd joined as a co-opted governor on 23rd May 2024 and is also a Deputy Head at another Walsall Special School as well as joint Chair of Governors.
Mrs Emma Grainger joined the team as a parent governor on 4th November 2024.
The views of parents and carers are always welcome and their input into school life is encouraged wherever possible.
Meetings
In addition to a termly meeting held by the whole governing body during the Spring, Summer and Autumn term, governors are also members of individual committees, which meet on a regular basis. It is sometimes necessary for special meetings to be arranged when a matter of urgency arises.
GOVERNING BODY TERMLY MEETINGS – 4.00 pm
Autumn Term
Thursday 26th September 2024 Thursday 14th November 2024
Spring Term
Thursday 9th January 2025 (EB)
Thursday 27th February 2025
Summer Term
Thursday 3rd April 2025 (EB)
Thursday 22nd May 2025
SITES AND BUILDINGS COMMITTEE MEETINGS – 3.00 pm
Autumn Term
Thursday 10th October 2024
Spring Term
Thursday 30th January 2025
Summer Term
Thursday 8th May 2025
FINANCE AND PAY COMMITTEE MEETINGS – 4.00 pm
Autumn Term
Thursday 10th October 2024
Spring Term
Thursday 30th January 2025
Summer Term
Thursday 8th May 2025
CURRICULUM AND POLICIES COMMITTEE MEETINGS – 4.00 pm
Autumn Term
Thursday 7th November 2024
Spring Term
Thursday 13th March 2025
Summer Term
Thursday 3rd July 2025
Getting Involved
When time allows Governors support the School where possible by attending events, functions and training.
Previously these have included theme days, hospitality and catering events and assemblies.
Governors are also involved in the recruitment of any new staff to the School.
Governor Information
Name | Type of Governor / Appointed By | Role & Link Governor | Committee | Start Date | Term of Office Ends | Declaration of Interests | Governance Role in Other Settings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lee Cross | Staff Governor, Appointed by Full Governing Body | Headteacher | Sites & Buildings, Curriculum & Policies, Finance & Pay | 1/9/20 | Team Teach Advanced Intructor | Ormiston Shelfield Academy | |
Sallyann Tuckwell Allen | Co-opted Governor, Appointed by LA / Full Governing Body | Joint Chair of Governors, Safeguarding Governor | Staff Dismissal, Curriculum & Policies, Pupil Support, Appraisal Committee, Scrutiny Panel, Working Party | 1/1/18 | 31/12/25 | Director of Vintage Liquid Taphouse | Pelsall Village School |
Leon Donaldson | Staff Governor, Staff Election | Sites and Buildings, Curriculum & Policies, Complaints Panel, Scrutiny Panel, Working Party | 5/7/21 | 4/7/25 | |||
Sarah Thornton | Parent Governor, Parental Election | Vice Chair of Governors, Pupil Wellbeing / PSHE | Sites & Buildings, Scrutiny Panel, Working Party | 17/3/21 | 16/3/25 | ||
Emma Grainger | Parent Governor, Parental Election | 4/11/24 | 3/11/28 | ||||
Lisa Jones | Parent Governor, Parental Election | Technologies | Curriculum & Policies | 26/1/23 | 25/1/27 | ||
Di Cadman | Associate Member, Appointed by Full Governing Body | School Vision – The Elmwood Way | Pupil Support, Sites & Buildings, Complaints Panel, Finance and Pay | 14/10/21 | 13/10/25 | ||
Hannah Shepherd | Co-opted Governor, Appointed by Full Governing Body | Joint Chair of Governors | Staff Dismissal, Pupil Support, Complaints Panel, Appraisal Committee, Curriculum & Policies | 16/5/24 | 15/5/28 | ||
Vacancy | Co-opted Governor x 2 |
Previous Governors
Name | Type of Governor | Start Date | End Date | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Jonathan Matthews | Parent Governor | 23/1/23 | 11/10/24 | Removed |
Sandra Mills | Co-opted Governor | 14/10/21 | 22/7/24 | Resigned |
Tracy MacDonald (nee Brandwood) | Co-opted Governor | 7/3/13 | 24/5/24 | Resigned |
Rose Burley | Co-opted Governor | 1/1/08 | 21/9/23 | Resigned |