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 Mrs Tracy MacDonald (nee 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.
A vacancy currently exists for a co-opted governor.
EXPERTISE
The Governing Body bring a wealth of expertise to the School and is made up of ten members, 3 male and 6 female. These members represent a wide range of expertise an consist of nine members of white ethnicity and one black Caribbean.
In addition to the Headteacher, Lee Cross, we have the following Governors:-
Mrs Tracy MacDonald (nee Brandwood) has a lot of experience as a support worker for young people with special needs. Mrs MacDonald is link governor for behaviour and attitudes, staff support and scrutiny. Mrs MacDonald was appointed as joint Chair of Governors in December 2022.
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 joint Chair of Governors in December 2022.
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, joined the Governing Body on the 23rd January 2023 as a parent governor.
Miss Lisa Jones, parent, 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 September 2023 we sadly said goodbye to Rose Burley as a Co-opted Governor. Rose has been a part of Elmwood School since it first opened in 2008 and has previously taken on the roles of Chair and Vice Chair of Governors. Rose has always been a great advocate for the school and her support/expertise will be greatly missed. A big thank you to Rose for her years of dedication.
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 28th September 2023 and Thursday 30th November 2023
Spring – Thursday 11th January 2024 (EB) and Thursday 22nd February 2024
Summer – Thursday 11th April 2024 (EB) and Thursday 23rd May 2024
Committees consider financial, personnel, pupil and building matters.
Finance & Pay Committee meetings are scheduled for 4.00 pm on:
Autumn – Thursday 19th October 2023
Spring – Thursday 8th February 2024
Summer – Thursday 16th May 2024
Sites and Buildings Committee meetings are scheduled for 3.30 pm on:
Autumn – Thursday 19th October 2023
Spring – Thursday 8th February 2024
Summer – Thursday 23rd May 2024
Curriculum and Policies Committee meetings are scheduled for 4.00 pm on:
Autumn – Thursday 9th November 2023
Spring – Thursday 14th March 2024
Summer – Thursday 4th July 2024
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 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 |
