Governance
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. At a meeting of the full governing body it was agreed to give associate members full voting rights.
The role of joint Chair of Governors is carried out by Mrs Sallyann Tuckwell Allen and Miss Hannah Shepherd. The Vice Chair of Governors is Ms Sarah Thornton and 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.
Vacancies currently exist for one co-opted governors.
Expertise.
The Governing Body bring a wealth of expertise to the School and is currently made up of eight members, 3 male and 5 female. These members represent a wide range of expertise and consist of eight members of white ethnicity and one black Caribbean.
In addition to the Headteacher, Lee Cross, we have the following Governors:
- 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 is joint Chair of Governors.
- Ms Sarah Thornton, mom to a Year 11 leaver, joined the Governing Body on the 17th March 2021 as a parent governor. Following the term of office as a parent governor ending in March 2025, Sarah was appointed as a coopted governor. Sarah is link governor for pupil wellbeing/PSHE as well as Vice Chair of Governors.
- Miss Lisa Jones, parent, joined the Governing Body on the 26th January 2023 as a parent governor. Lisa is a link governor for the creative technologies curriculum.
- Mr Leon Donaldson, teaching assistant, was elected as a staff governor with effect from 5th July 2021. Leon is a valued member of staff who supports our pupils in class and is a great asset to the team.
- 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.
- Miss Hannah Shepherd joined as a co-opted governor on 23rd May 2024 and is also a Deputy Head at another Walsall Special School as well as joint Chair of Governors.
- Mrs Emma Grainger joined the team as a parent governor on 4th November 2024.
- Ms Carli Jones joined the team as a parent governor on 28th April 2025
The views of parents and carers are always welcome and their input into school life is encouraged wherever possible.
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.
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.
Governor Attendance.
| Name | Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| tbc | tbc | tbc |