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. 

The role of Chair of Governors is shared jointly by Ms Tracy Brandwood Mrs Sallyann Tuckwell-Allen and the Vice-chair is Ms Sarah Thornton. 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. In December 2022 Ms Tuckwell-Allen took on the role of joint Chair of Governors.

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 Sarah Thornton, mom to a Year 10 pupil, joined the Governing Body on the 17th March 2021 as a parent governor. Sarah is link governor for pupil wellbeing/PSHE and was elected as Vice Chair of Governors in December 2022.

Mr Johnathan Matthews, parent to a Year 10 pupil, joined the Governing Body on the 23rd January 2023 as a parent governor.

Miss Lisa Jones, mom to a Year 7 pupil, joined the Governing Body on the 26th January 2023 as a parent governor.

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.

The views of parents and carers are always welcome and their input into school life is encouraged wherever possible. 

PREVIOUS GOVERNORS 

Over the last twelve months the following governors have left the governing body.

In December 2022, Jamie Leigh Roberts, mom to Ellie and who joined the Governing Body on the 16th October 2019 as a parent governor ended her time as a governor.  Thank you to Jamie for her support during the time she was a member of the team.

In November 2022, Sam Allen who joined as an associate member in October 2021 ended his time as a governor due to work commitments.  Sam was our link governor for careers and will be missed.

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 29th September 2022 and Thursday 8th December 2022

Spring – Thursday 9th February 2023 (EB) and Thursday 30th March 2023

Summer – Thursday 25th May 2023 and Thursday 13th July 2023 (EB)

Committees consider financial, personnel, pupil and building matters.

Finance & Pay Committee meetings are scheduled for 4.00 pm on:

Autumn – Thursday 20th October 2022

Spring – Thursday 2nd February 2023

Summer – Thursday 18th May 2023

Sites and Buildings Committee meetings are scheduled for  3.30 pm on:

Autumn – Tuesday 29th November 2022

Spring – Thursday 2nd February 2023

Summer – Thursday 18th May 2023

Curriculum and Policies Committee meetings are scheduled for 4.00 pm on:

Autumn – Thursday 10th November 2022

Spring – Thursday 2nd March 2023

Summer – Thursday 22nd June 2023

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 CH 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 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
Parent governor vacancy              
Parent governor vacancy              
Sarah Thornton PG VC   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 DISMISSALRose Burley (Chair)
Sallyann Tuckwell-Allen
Sandra Mills
STAFF DISMISSAL APPEALTracy Brandwood - (Chair)
Sam Allen
Di Cadman
FINANCE AND PAYRose Burley - (Chair)
Sandra Mills
Tracy Brandwood
Lee Cross
FINANCE AND PAY APPEALSSallyann Tuckwell-Allen (Chair)
Sarah Thornton
Sam Allen
PUPIL SUPPORTRose Burley - (Chair)
Sallyann Tuckwell-Allen
Tracy Brandwood
Sandra Mills
Sam Allen
SITES AND BUILDINGSLeon Donaldson - (Chair)
Lee Cross
Jamie-Leigh Roberts
Di Cadman
Sarah Thornton
COMPLAINTS PANELTracy Brandwood - (Chair)
Leon Donaldson
Rose Burley
Di Cadman
CURRICULUM AND POLICIES Sallyann Tuckwell-Allen - (Chair)
Lee Cross
Leon Donaldson
Sam Allen
APPRAISAL COMMITTEETracy Brandwood - (Chair)
Sallyann Tuckwell-Allen
Rose Burley
APPRAISAL APPEALSSandra Mills