STATEMENT ON EFFECTIVE GOVERNANCE
Strong and effective governance underpins the most effective academies. Wellspring Academy Trust is committed to supporting the highest quality of governance in all its academies. Our local governing body (LGB) is, in effect, a sub-committee of the Trust Board. The Wellspring board expects members of each LGB to govern and to conduct themselves according to the seven principles of public life and requires governors to accept and adhere to the Code of Conduct.
There are three core functions of governance:
Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction at school level and with reference to the Trust
Holding the leadership at all levels to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils and the performance management of staff
Overseeing the financial performance of the school, making sure that money is well spent.
Copies of all minutes from Governing Body meetings are available on request from the Clerk to the Governors. Please ring the school number to request.
If you wish to contact the Chair of Governors please email: k.davis@wellspringacademies.org.uk or by post at Wellspring Academy Trust, Digital Media Centre, County Way, Barnsley, S70 2JW.
Springwell Learning Community – Local Governing Body
The schools’ individual Governing Body was disbanded in February 2020 and a new single over-arching governing body for Springwell Learning Community and Greenacre was formed. All Governors complete a four year term of office except ex-officio members who remain on the Governing Body for the duration of their post. The members of the Springwell/Greenacre Governing Body are:
George Wild
Chair, Trust Appointed - March 2021
George has worked for over 40 years in a variety of roles within a Local, UK and International Engineering Group specialising in the Finance, HR, IT and Company Secretarial areas. Strong links to charitable and community organisations. Currently George is Chair at Greenacre and the designated Link Governor for Business and Finance.
Michael Ibbotson
Trust Appointed Governor and Vice Chair - July 2021
Michael works within a specialist provision in an FE College and has worked in SEND for over 9 years. Michael teaches in a college and manages a team of support workers. He is an accredited CMI qualified manager and has a qualified background in business. He is passionate about achieving equal opportunities for all, no matter what their needs or background are.
Eileen Sanderson
Trust Appointed Governor - November 2020
Revd Eileen Sanderson is a retired Methodist Minister who has wide experience in education as a Primary School Teacher, Adult Educator, and in Youth Work management and training. She has been involved in school governance in both Primary and Secondary spheres for many years, but is new to Special Education. She is passionate about social justice and the need to address the glaring inequalities, including those in education, across our country and our world.
Pam Bower
Trust Appointed Governor - February 2021
Pam has an extensive career spanning over 51 years. She successfully completed her Solicitors Examinations in 1992 and was admitted to the Roll of Solicitors in 1994. In 2011 she gained her Master’s Degree MA in Restorative Justice. In 2019 Pam Retired from HMCTS and is an active member of the Inner Wheel Club of Barnsley and a volunteer at the Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust.
Sian Vaughton
Trust Appointed Governor Parent Governor - October 2022
Sian works as Director of Teaching and Learning for a primary multi-academy trust with responsibility for SEND, behaviour, safeguarding, attendance and the wider curriculum. She has 20 years experience as a teacher and leader in mainstream primary schools.
Vicki Geldart
Parent Governor November 2023
I have over 25 years experience working with children and families as a Social Worker. I’ve worked in Education, Children's Social Care and now manage a team in Youth Justice.
I have 2 boys with SEND, one of whom attends Springwell Special Academy. My journey as a parent of children with additional needs has made me determined to raise awareness and help people to hear their voice.
I’m committed to relational and trauma responsive practice, advocacy for children and families with SEND and helping to make education accessible for everyone.
Mark Wood
Ex Officio Member
Mark Wood is the Chief Finance Officer at Wellspring Academy Trust. Having previously been the Business Director at Greenacre, Mark knows the school well and sits on the board deputising for the CEO of the Wellspring Academy Trust.
Sarah Wilson
Ex Officio Member
As the Executive Headteacher of the school Sarah sits on the governing body.
Sarah joined Springwell in April 2020 and leads the newly formed Special Provision Partnership that includes Springwell Learning Community, Greenacre School and Joseph Norton Academy in Kirklees.
Arlene Tattershall
Parent Governor November 2023
Governors Serving in the last 12 Months:
Tracy Fairham Trust Appointed Governor, Vice Chair, Appointed - April 2021 stepped down June 2023
Staff Governors
The position of staff governor is extremely popular at our school and elections are held on an annual basis. The staff team are currently represented by Tom O’Hara who was appointed on 1 July 2021 and Adam Fox who was appointed on October 2022.