The Forest Academy

The Forest Academy is part of the Barnsley Primary Partnership, which came into being in the autumn of 2016. It brings together the three primary schools: The Forest Academy, Oakhill Primary Academy and Oakwell Rise Primary Academy, which are all members of the Wellspring Academy Trust. 

The Trust has put in place a single governing body for the Partnership, replacing the three former governing bodies.  Our role has three key parts:

• in consultation with the Trust, we decide the vision, ethos and strategic direction of each of the three schools;
• we hold the Executive Principal and her senior staff to account for the educational performance of the schools and their  pupils
• we oversee the financial performance of each of the three schools and make sure that money is well spent.

Details of our current governors are set out below.  They have a wide range of backgrounds, skills and experience which they bring to this important role, and meet at least every half term to look at all aspects of the life and work of the schools.  Many of the Governors are linked with specific aspects of the life of the schools and make regular reports to the governing body.

We work closely with the Executive Principal, who is supported by three Heads of Academies and other staff, and is responsible for the day to day running of the schools.  She is accountable to governors for how she does this, and frequently reports to us. 

All our work as governors has one simple aim: to make sure that our schools provide the highest standard of education and care for all our pupils, so that they have the best possible life chances. 

Meet the Team

 

Michael Sanderson  Chair of Governors Leadership and Management Lead	Michael has served on various governing bodies in Barnsley, and helped form the Barnsley Governors Association. He was a National Leader of Governance. Having trained as a statistician, Michael worked for nearly 40 years in local government, in a wide range of roles. He links with Sam Bailey, Executive Principal, in relation to Leadership and Management, and Finance.
Father Paul Cartwright Trust Appointed Vice Chair	Paul is a parish priest in Barnsley, as well as being a chaplain to Barnsley College and West Yorkshire Police, and has a background in equalities and diversity.  He is an elected member of the General Synod of the Church of England, a member of the Society for Education and Training, and has a love of music.  Paul’s link responsibility on the Governing Body is Quality of Education.
Craig Aubrey Parent Governor	Craig is one of the Parent Governors for Barnsley Primary Partnership and his two daughters attend The Forest Academy. He was born and raised in Barnsley and works for Barnsley Council as the Community Development Officer for the Central Area Team, where he leads on projects and initiatives that build stronger, safer and healthier communities.  Craig’s link responsibility on the Governing Body is Community and Stakeholder Engagement.