WELCOME
Elmwood School has a governing body made up of ten members (9 governors and two associate members). These include representatives from the Local Authority, community (co-opted), parents and staff.
The Chair of Governors is Ms Tracy Brandwood and the Vice-chair is Mrs Sallyann Tuckwell-Allen. 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.
EXPERTISE
The Governing Body bring a wealth of expertise to the School. In addition to the Headteacher, Lee Cross, we have the following Governors:-
Ms Tracy Brandwood has a lot of experience as a support worker for young people with special needs. Ms Brandwood is link governor for behaviour and attitudes, staff support and scrutiny. Ms Brandwood was appointed as Chair of Governors in November 2017.
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 was appointed as Vice Chair of Governors in November 2018.
Mrs Rose Burley has also been a governor for many years at both primary and secondary schools. She is an elected local Councillor as well as Mayor of Walsall and sits on many committees. Mrs Burley is the link Governor for communtiy cohesion.
Ms Jamie-Leigh Roberts mom to a Year 9 pupil, joined the Governing Body on the 16th October 2019 as a parent governor. Jamie is joink link governor for pupil wellbeing/PSHE.
Miss Sarah Thornton, mom to a Year 9 pupil, joined the Governing Body on the 17th March 2021 as a parent governor. Sarah is joint link governor for pupil wellbeing/PSHE.
Mr Leon Donaldson, teaching assistant, was elected as a staff governor with effect from 5th July 2o21. Leon is a valued member of staff who supports our pupils in class and will be a great asset to the team.
Mrs Sandra Mills joined the Governing Body in October 2021 as a co-opted governor and will bring financial expertise to the board. Sandra is the link governor for Health and Safety.
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.
Sam Allen has also joined up as an associate member in October 2021. Sam is the son of Sallyann Tuckwell-Allen, Vice Chair of Governors, and will be supporting our careers programme.
The views of parents and carers are always welcome and their input into school life is encouraged wherever possible. We curently have a vacancy for a parent governor to join the team.
PREVIOUS GOVERNORS
Over the last twelve months the following governors have left the governing body.
In December 2021, Ms Joanna Hall, mom to a Year 10 pupil, ended her time as a parent governor due to not being able to commit the time needed to fulfil the role. Joanna was a link governor for pupil wellbeing/PSHE and her input and support over the last year was much appreciated.
In June 2021, Georgina Edmunds, Associate member ended her time as a governor due to time constraints. A big thank you to Georgina for her support over the last two years.
In May 2021, Mr James Hawkins, Family Welfare Officer and staff governor, term of office came to an end due to him leaving the employment of Elmwood School. James has been a valued member of the team and was part of the scrutiny panel, which he was a valued member of the team. We wish James well in his new post.
In April 2021 Mr Dave Watton resigned from his role as an Associate Member of the governing body having previously stepped down as an LA governor in 2014. Mr Watton has been a governor at the school since it opened in January 2008 and has been a real asset to the team. Dave will be sadly missed and we wish him all the best for the future.
In March 2021, Mrs Suzanne Hill’s term of office as a Parent Governor ended having been elected by parents in March 2018. Mrs Hill was link governor for parental engagement and during her time as a governor, helped to raise considerable amounts of money for our school fund account.
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.
Termly meetings are scheduled for 4.00 pm on:
Autumn – Thursday 14th October 2021 and Thursday 2nd December 2021 (EB)
Spring – Thursday 10th February 2022 (EB) and Thursday 31st March 2022
Summer – Thursday 26th May 2022 and Thursday 7th July 2022 (EB)
Committees consider financial, personnel, pupil and building matters.
Finance & Pay Committee meetings are scheduled for 4.00 pm on:
Autumn – Thursday 25th November 2021
Spring – Thursday 17th February 2022
Summer – Thursday 19th May 2022
Sites and Buildings Committee meetings are scheduled for 3.00 pm on:
Autumn – Tuesday 30th November 2021
Spring – Tuesday 22nd March 2022
Summer – Tuesday 5th July 2022
Curriculum and Policies Committee meetings are scheduled for 4.00 pm on:
Autumn – Thursday 11th November 2021
Spring – Thursday 3rd March 2022
Summer – Thursday 23rd June 2022
Copies of any public minutes can be obtained from the Clerk to the Governors via the School; a charge for copying would be applicable.
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.
GOVERNING BODY TERMS OF OFFICE AND BUSINESS INTERESTS
| Governor Name | Type of Governor | Chair (CH) or Vice Chair (VC) | Committee Chair | Connections to Staff, Yes or No If Yes, who and how. | Term of Office End Date | Other School Governor Posts held. Name of school and governor type | Business Interests declared. Yes of No If yes please state |
| Tracy Brandwood | CG | CH | Staff Dismissal Appeal Complaints Panel Appraisal Committee | No | 7/10/25 | Yes Owl Behaviour Consultancy | |
| Sallyann Tuckwell-Allen | LA | VC | Finance and Pay
Curriculum and Policies |
No | 31/12/25 | Pelsall Village School | No |
| Rose Burley | CG | Staff Dismissal
Finance and Pay Pupil Support |
No | 07/10/21 | Salisbury Primary
Rowley View Nursery |
No | |
| Sandra Mills | CG | No | 13/10/25 | No | |||
| Leon Donaldson | STF | Sites and Buildings | No | 04/07/25 | No | ||
| Lee Cross | STF | No | Upon leaving employment of School | No | |||
| Jamie-Leigh Roberts | PG | No | 15/10/23 | No | |||
| Parent governor vacancy | |||||||
| Sarah Thornton | PG | No | 16/03/25 | No | |||
| Sam Allen | Associate Member | No | 13/10/25 | No | |||
| Di Cadman | Associate Member | No | 13/10/25 | No |
Legend:LA – Local Authority appointed (recommended) by Walsall CouncilPG – Parent Governor, elected by parents at the schoolSTF – Staff governor elected by staff at the schoolCG – Co-opted Governor, appointed by the governing body
GOVERNING BODY COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP
| COMMITTEE | GOVERNORS |
|---|---|
| STAFF DISMISSAL | Rose Burley (Chair) Sallyann Tuckwell-Allen Sandra Mills |
| STAFF DISMISSAL APPEAL | Tracy Brandwood - (Chair) Sam Allen Di Cadman |
| FINANCE AND PAY | Rose Burley - (Chair) Sandra Mills Tracy Brandwood Lee Cross |
| FINANCE AND PAY APPEALS | Sallyann Tuckwell-Allen (Chair) Sarah Thornton Sam Allen |
| PUPIL SUPPORT | Rose Burley - (Chair) Sallyann Tuckwell-Allen Tracy Brandwood Sandra Mills Sam Allen |
| SITES AND BUILDINGS | Leon Donaldson - (Chair) Lee Cross Jamie-Leigh Roberts Di Cadman Sarah Thornton |
| COMPLAINTS PANEL | Tracy Brandwood - (Chair) Leon Donaldson Rose Burley Di Cadman |
| CURRICULUM AND POLICIES | Sallyann Tuckwell-Allen - (Chair) Lee Cross Leon Donaldson Sam Allen |
| APPRAISAL COMMITTEE | Tracy Brandwood - (Chair) Sallyann Tuckwell-Allen Rose Burley |
| APPRAISAL APPEALS | Sandra Mills |
