Academy Council
Outwood Primary Academy Woodlands is a proud member of the Outwood Family; therefore, ultimate responsibility for our academy rests with the Outwood Grange Academies Trust Board of Trustees. However, some of the work of the board is delegated to the Academy Council, who are the governors of the academy.
Our Academy Council is a sub-committee of the Outwood Board and its role is to carry the Outwood vision, values, policies and priorities forward while providing internal assurance and, in addition, to develop and strengthen the academy's links with the local community.
The Academy Council is made up of governors who are expected to question, challenge and support the academy's leadership. Some governors are appointed by the Trust and others are elected by parents or carers of children who attend Outwood Primary Academy Woodlands.
Council members
| Governor | Appointed | Term ends |
|---|---|---|
| Mr Sean Fearn Chair of Local Governing Body Appointed by foundation/Trust | 20 November 2023 | 19 November 2027 |
| Miss Donna Burnett Local Governor Ex-officio by virtue of office as headteacher/principal | 1 January 2024 | While in post |
| Miss Lori Hammond Local Governor Elected by parents | 24 November 2025 | 23 November 2027 |
| Mr Barry Hirst Local Governor Parent appointed by GB/board due to no election candidates | 23 March 2026 | 22 March 2028 |
| Miss Caroline Hunter Local Governor Elected by school staff | 1 July 2025 | 30 June 2027 |
| Ms Jo Semley Local Governor Appointed by foundation/Trust | 15 September 2026 | 14 September 2030 |
| Mrs Carol Shepheard Local Governor Elected by school staff | 1 July 2025 | 30 June 2027 |
Mr Sean Fearn
- Appointed
- 20 November 2023
- Term ends
- 19 November 2027
Miss Donna Burnett
- Appointed
- 1 January 2024
- Term ends
- While in post
Miss Lori Hammond
- Appointed
- 24 November 2025
- Term ends
- 23 November 2027
Mr Barry Hirst
- Appointed
- 23 March 2026
- Term ends
- 22 March 2028
Miss Caroline Hunter
- Appointed
- 1 July 2025
- Term ends
- 30 June 2027
Ms Jo Semley
- Appointed
- 15 September 2026
- Term ends
- 14 September 2030
Mrs Carol Shepheard
- Appointed
- 1 July 2025
- Term ends
- 30 June 2027
Read our council members' declarations of interests
To contact the chair of governors, please contact the academy.
Standards and accountability
The Outwood Board and our Academy Council, and their members, will at all times uphold the Seven Principles of Public Life, known as the Nolan Principles.
The Outwood Board and our Academy Council each have detailed Terms of Reference which set out their roles, responsibilities and functions. The authority of each is controlled by the Board via the Scheme of Delegation. You can find out more about this on the page about the Outwood Grange Academies Trust Board of Trustees.
Could you be a governor?
We're always looking for people from all walks of life to join us in carrying the Outwood vision, values and priorities forward. As a governor you'll receive training, develop transferable skills, and help shape the things that matter most to our pupils and our community.
We especially welcome interest from people with experience in finance, business or marketing, education leadership, safeguarding, HR, health and safety, special educational needs, or careers and employability. If you're ready to question, challenge and support the academy's leadership, we'd love to hear from you. You can read more about the role on the Outwood Family website.