Governors

The Fernwood Academy Trust

With effect from 1st May 2011 the school converted to Academy status, which brought about a number of changes in the governance arrangements at the school. The Fernwood Academy Trust was established, a charitable company limited by guarantee, the object of which is to advance, for the public benefit, the education of pupils and develop a school offering a broad and balanced curriculum.

The appointed members of the Trust are:-

• Mr Paul Brittain
• Mr Anthony Hicks
• Mr Andrew Hunt
• Mr Paul Irons MBE
• Ms Amanda Smart-Gosrani

The Academy Trust Governing Body

The Governing Body manages the Fernwood School (Academy) on behalf of the Trust. This places many duties and responsibilities on the Governing Body, the key ones of which are summarised below:-

• Ensure the quality of educational provision
• Challenge and monitor the performance of the Academy
• Manage the Academy Trust’s finances and property
• Appoint and employ staff
• Health and Safety
• Act as the Admissions Authority

The Governing Body comprises 18 members, appointed in the following categories:-

• 7 Parents
• 5 Community
• 2 Partnership
• 4 Staff

The Governing Body is also able to appoint up to 3 Co-opted Governors.

Appointments to membership are usually for a period of four years and the Chair and Vice-Chair are appointed on an annual basis. The Academy Trust and Governing Body are supported by its Company Secretary and Clerk, Mrs Sue Law, email s.law@fernwood.school.

Current membership is as set out below:-

• ​​​Mr Paul Irons (Chair) (Trustee appointed by the Members 31/07/25, period of office expiring 31/08/29) (see notes 1,2 & 3)
• Mr Mark Blatchly (Co-Vice Chair) (Chair of Pupils and Personnel, Trustee, appointed by members 18/05/25, period of office expiring 17/05/2029) (see notes 1 & 2)
• Mr Andrew Hunt (Co-Vice Chair) (Chair of Finance, Audit and Risk Committee, (Trustee appointed by the Members 31/07/25, period of office expiring 30/07/29) (see notes 2)
• Mrs Umbrin Afzal (Trustee, appointed by members 18/5/25), period of office expiring 17/05/2029) (see notes 1 & 3)
• Dr Shamim Ahmad (Parent Governor, elected by parent/carers 20/2/2024, period of office expiring 19/02/2028) (See note 1)
• Mr Willliam Beasley (Trustee appointed by the Members 31/07/25 period of office expiring 5/01/2027) (See note 1)
• Mr Michael Benford (Parent Governor, elected by parent/carers 20/2/2024, period of office expiring 19/02/2028) (see note 2)
• Mr Kevin Beswick (Trustee appointed by the Members 31/07/25, period of office expiring 26/09/26) (see notes 1 & 3)
• Mr Stephen Deadman-Corsie (Trustee appointed by the Members 31/07/25, period of office expiring 17/03/28) (see note 2)
• Dr James Daubney (Trustee appointed by the Members 31/07/25, period of office expiring 21/05/2028) (see note 1)
• Mr Chris Gell (Head Teacher and Trustee appointed by the Members 11/02/25) (see notes 1 & 3)
• Mr Louis Harrison (Trustee appointed by the Members 31/07/25, resigned 5/09/25)
• Mrs Rosemarie Hudlin (Trustee appointed by the Members 31/07/25, period of office expiring 04/02/26) (see notes 1, 2 and 3)
• Mrs Amy Huskisson (Trustee appointed by the Members 31/07/2, period of office expiring 21/05/2028) (see note 1)
• Mr Neil Jackson (Trustee appointed by the Members 31/07/25, period of office expiring 25/05/27) (see notes 2 & 4)
• Mr Jaz Lovett - Trustee appointed by the Members 31/07/25, period of office expiring on 20/11/2027 (See note 1)
• Mrs Saema Mohammad (Parent Trustee, elected by the parent/carers 19/04/22, period of office expiring 18/04/2026) (see note 1)
• Mrs Claire Mulholland – (Trustee appointed by the Members 31/07/25, period of office expiring 24/09/2027) (see note 1)
• Mr Narinder Sagoo (Co-opted Trustee appointed by the trustees 21/09/22, period of office expiring on 20/9/2026 (See notes 1 and 2)
• Mrs Louise Silver (Parent Trustee, elected by parent/carers 19/4/2022, period of office expiring 18/04/2026) (see note 1)

Notes

1. Member of Pupils and Personnel Committee
2. Member of Financial, Audit and Risk Committee
3. Member of Admissions Committee. Membership of Pupil Discipline and other Staffing Committees is determined when these Committees are required to meet.
4. As an employee does not participate when Audit matters are discussed at Finance, Audit and Risk Committee.

The Governing Body usually meets twice per term and is supported by a Committee structure of a number of Committees (including, Pupils and Personnel and Finance, Audit and Risk) which meet on a termly basis. The Head Teacher, presents written reports to these meetings. In addition to attending meetings Governors are able, if they wish, to undertake what are known as Link positions in areas where they may have a special interest, for example, Special Educational Needs or taking part in interviews for the appointment of staff. Governors are also offered training that is appropriate to their role over the course of their membership.

The Governing Body is always keen to respond to any requests about how it operates and receive any expressions of interest for future membership. In this connection, contact can be made with the Chair or the Clerk, c/o the school or as indicated above.

All governors and members complete business and pecuniary interest forms on an annual basis. The current register is available here.

The record of Governors’ attendance at meetings in all previous years may be accessed in the appropriate section of the Financial Statements which can be found below. Further detail on such attendance for the 2023/24 year is available here.

• Annual Report Governors' Attendance Figures for 2024-2025 for Governing Body Trust and Finance Committees
• Annual Report Governors' Attendance Figures for 2024-2025 for Pupils and Admissions Committees

Scheme of Delegation

Some aspects of the delegation of responsibilities are referred to in the preceding paragraphs of this section of the website. For clarity, delegation arrangements can be summarised as under:-

Delegation from the Board of Trustees – the Board of Trustees' Scheme of Delegation for 2025/26 is available here'.