Local Governing Body

Our Governors

Suzanne Cannell

Chair of Governing Body

In term from 10.12.2025 - 10.12.2029

Nikki Glover

Staff (Teaching Governor)

In term from 01.07.2023 - 30.06.2027

Lindsey Norton

Staff (Teaching Governor)

In term from 01.07.2023 - 30.06.2027

James Hutchinson

Headteacher

Sophie Gilbert

Co-Opted Governor

In term from 22.08.2025-21.08.2029

Kirsty Hall-Maysmith

Parent Governor

In term from 05.06.2024 - 04.06.2028

Wayne Sutherland

Co-Opted Governor

In term from 17.06.2025 - 16.06.2029

Caroline Tinker

Co-Opted Governor

In term from 17.06.2025 - 16.06.2029

Governance at Foxwood Academy

At Foxwood Academy, we are committed to developing the skills of every student and equipping them for lifelong learning through a broad, balanced and enriching education. This commitment is underpinned by our four core values: Education, Independence, Learning for Life and Celebration.

These values shape our curriculum, our culture and the way the Academy is governed.

Foxwood Academy is part of a multi-academy trust. This means that overall strategic responsibility and accountability sit with the Trust Board, which oversees standards, safeguarding, finance and performance across all schools in the Trust.

Our Local Governing Body plays a vital role in supporting this by ensuring that the Trust’s vision and values are lived out effectively at Foxwood, within the context of our specialist provision.

Our Values in Practice

Education

Foxwood Academy has enthusiastic, dedicated and empathetic staff with a passion for teaching students with additional needs. Governors seek assurance that every pupil’s individual needs are understood and met through high-quality teaching, a tailored curriculum and strong staff development.

We provide challenge and support to ensure that pupils make progress academically, socially and emotionally, and that staff are well supported to deliver this.

Independence

We encourage our students to become as independent as possible in all areas of life. Governors are particularly focused on how the Academy supports pupils to develop confidence, self-awareness and decision-making skills.

We ensure that:

Pupils are treated with dignity and respect
Student voice is valued
Families are supported to make informed decisions about future pathways

This reflects our commitment to preparing pupils for successful transitions into adulthood.

Learning for Life

Preparing pupils for adulthood is central to Foxwood’s work. Governors seek assurance that the curriculum, wider provision and pastoral support enable students to leave Foxwood with the skills they need to live happy, fulfilled and independent lives.

This includes oversight of:

Curriculum relevance
Preparation for next steps
Emotional wellbeing and safeguarding

Celebration

At Foxwood Academy, individuality is valued and diversity is celebrated. Governors ensure that achievements - academic, personal and social are recognised and celebrated.

We want pupils to create positive memories of school and to feel proud of who they are. Opportunities such as residential visits, enrichment activities, clubs and the arts are an important part of this.

The Role of the Local Governing Body

The Local Governing Body does not manage the day-to-day running of the Academy. Instead, governors focus on providing local assurance, challenge and insight within the Trust’s strategic framework.

They work closely with school leaders and the Trust to:

Ensure pupils are safe and well supported
Provide challenge about the quality of education and outcomes
Monitor how well the Foxwood values are embedded in daily practice
Act as a link between the school, families, community and the Trust Board

Governors help ensure that decisions made at Trust level are effective for Foxwood’s pupils and reflect the Academy’s specialist context.

How Governors Carry Out Their Role

Governors gather evidence through a range of sources, including:

Headteacher and Trust reports
Safeguarding, attendance and wellbeing information
Curriculum and pupil progress information (appropriate to our SEND context)
Stakeholder voice, including families, pupils and staff
Focused visits linked to agreed priorities

This evidence is used to:

Ask informed and constructive questions
Celebrate strengths and successes
Provide assurance to the Trust Board
Escalate concerns appropriately where needed

Health, safety and safeguarding are standing items at all governing meetings.

Governance Structure

Chair of the Local Governing Body:
Suzanne Cannell

Parent Governor:
Kirsty Hall-Maysmith

Staff Governors:
James Hutchinson (Headteacher), Lindsey Norton, Nikki Glover

All governors are unpaid volunteers who give their time freely.

If you wish to contact the Chair of Governors, please email:
chair@foxwood.notts.sch.uk

Working Together

The Chair of the Local Governing Body is in regular contact with the Headteacher, alongside formal meetings. Governors also have access to shared systems that enable ongoing communication, training and collaboration.

Meeting attendance is strong, and minutes of governing body meetings are public documents. Copies are available from the Academy office upon request.

Our Commitment

Through strong governance, effective partnership with the Trust and a shared commitment to our values, we work together to ensure that Foxwood Academy continues to provide a safe, nurturing and aspirational environment where every pupil can thrive.

Areas addressed in meetings:

Date	Committee	Covered/Impact
October 2023	School Improvement Board	This was the first meeting of this new committee. The board met with the Trust CFO and reviewed our financial position. As a board we agreed what we would cover throughout the year and agreed to chair the committee on a rolling programme. We welcomed a new parent governor to the group.
December 2023	Full Governing Body	This was our first full governing body meeting of the year. We reviewed the autumn term and reviewed the headteacher report. We looked at behaviour, progress, attendance, and projected numbers. The headteacher reminded the body of the school self-evaluation and the governors signed off the development plan.
February 2024	School Improvement Board	The group reviewed our curriculum and assessment systems. They reviewed samples of our new key stage end points and looked at how we use these to measure progress and learning. The board looked at feedback from our recent curriculum deep dives and the visit from our school improvement advisor.
March 2024	Full Governing Body	The board reviewed and agreed to start looking at converting buildings to provide more PFA opportunities for our children and young people. The board reviewed our overall finances, safeguarding and the report from the Headteacher.
May 2024	School Improvement Board	The board looked through the school improvement report from our external school advisor, they reviewed our recent parent voice and pupil voice survey. The board had a presentation on our medical tracking software, staffing and reviewed attendance and the budget.
July 2024	Full Governing Body	The governors reviewed the school development plan and looked at the self evaluation of this academic year and the development plan for next year. They reviewed the budget and agreed that it is fit for purpose for next academic year. Governors looked at the Headteacher report for the summer term and had feedback on safeguarding and the progress of looked after children.
October 2024	School Improvement Boards	The governors reviewed the year ahead and agreed on the role of the SIB. They looked at the school's 'Power BI' system, which provides comparative data for the Academy and allows governors to drill down into specific outcomes where needed. They listened to a report on the progress of the new build and discussed the start of the academic term in general. They also received a financial update from the business manager and reviewed the role of governors and how and where they can assist the Academy.
February 2025	School improvement Board	The governors looked at the Academy data overview with a focus on significant groups. The governors had a presentation on how the Academy meets the mental health needs of its children and young people. They were introduced to the new Academy behaviour lead who shared a presentation on restraint in schools and how Foxwood record and report behaviour incidents.
March 2025	Full Governing Body	The board had a detailed view of Academy finances and a deep dive into how the academy meets it's e-safety obligations. Governors fed back on recent visits including a visit to a residential for ex-students.
October 2025	School Improvement Board	We reviewed the purpose of the committees, took a detailed look at the school SEF and School Development Plan, completed a safeguarding check, and discussed plans for governor visit days.
December 2025	Full Governing Body	A full and busy FGB meeting. We elected a new COG as Sarah Morgan moves to a more central role within the Trustees. We reviewed the headteacher’s report, considered an issue involving the local press in detail, and reviewed behaviour and safeguarding data. We also looked at the new digital skills audit on GovernorHub and reviewed progress against KPIs.

Policies

Governor's review all polices at the start of the new year, usually in January. We oversee to check they meet the statutory requirements, and that all guidance is relevant and up to date. Specific attention is made to make sure we follow the department of education’s mandatory policy list and our local authority recommended list.

Training

As a governing body we recognise the need and importance of high-quality training. Our primary source is Nottingham City Council’s ‘Governor Services’ which has a proven track record locally and has proved highly popular amongst the Governors at Foxwood. In addition to this, we buy into the National Governance Association (NGA), School Bus and Confederation of Schools Trust (CST). All governors are expected to keep their training record up-to-date. All new governors complete an induction programme through Nottingham City Council governor services. Governing training is encouraged to build up knowledge and skills and our annual skills audit review highlights areas/solutions to develop these areas. A full list of governor training is held on our Governor Hub and you can request to see this at any time. All governors are expected to attend training relevant to the Academy’s improvement plan as well as mandatory aspects such as safeguarding and prevent strategy. In addition, governors are encouraged to choose training that is important to the Academy.

How to contact us - Suggestions, feedback and ideas from our stakeholders (parent, pupils and staff) as well as the local community are welcomed. Please contact the chair Sarah Morgan on the below email or alternatively contact the academy directly - chair@foxwood.notts.sch.uk.

Archive Impact

Date	Committee	Example of some of the things covered/Impact
February 2022	Finance, Audit and Risk	Agreed to move forward on the next stage of the library project and reviewed the new budget based on the increase costs of living. Benchmarked the school against a number of other schools nationally to review financial position of the Academy. Reviewed health and safety, number predicted for September and reviewed the impact of the new outdoor learning space. Reviewed the Academy risk register and looked at any recent developments that would need to be addressed.
March 2022	Pupil and Curriculum	The governors looked through the presentation of the new website and recommended small additions. They were pleased that the website reached a wider audience. They revised their understanding of the INTENT of the curriculum. They received an update in the Academy QA system and reviewed their rolling review looking at ways to make it sustainable. The governors were visited by the PSD and RSE lead who talked them through the intent , implementation and impact of the subjects.
March 2022	Finance, Audit and Risk	Governors reviewed the impact of the White and Green papers on Foxwood and how they might influence actions between now and 2030. Governors reviewed the pay structures and reflected on recruitment and retention. Governors Reviewed the risk register, health and safety and numbers for September Governors looked at recent energy usage data and made suggestions for improved sustainability.
April 2022	Members meeting	Members approved the new Articles Members reviewed the Academy Finances Members evaluated the impact of the White and Green papers on Foxwood
May 2022	Finance, Audit and Risk	Governors reviewed the risk register and made adaptations Governors agreed to finance the changes to the sensory areas in school and approved the first draft of the Academy budget Governors approved a new Academy minibus Governors evaluated the tender process for the new library and considered the impact of open and closed applications
June 2022	Pupil and Curriculum	Governors were presented with the new system for recording, monitoring and measuring the impact of our therapy provision. Governors were presented with the new phonics system and reviewed the impact so far. Governors reviewed parent and feedback from staff voice.
July 2022	Full body	The governors agreed the budget for academic year 22/23 and agreed the 3 year budget to be sent to the ESFA. The governors scrutinised the latest Headteacher report. The report measures progress, attendance, teaching and learning, finance and other key area of the Academy. The governors agreed to work more closely with a local Trust and reviewed plans for future expansion. The governors decided that the current format for the Headteachers report would continue.
September 2022	Finance, Audit and Risk	Governors reviewed the risk register, taking into account the cost of living crisis and changes in Covid regulations. Governors reviewed the finances of the Academy. Governors looked through preparations for the new library build starting in October. Governors reviewed the recent health and safety visits and agreed to purchase a small number of fire doors and remedial action to meet fire safety requirements.
September governor challenge day: Governors visit the Academy in person to 'check their checking' each half term	Challenge day	One of the governors came in to look at safeguarding across the Academy. Training, systems, recording and data. A second governor met with the CEO of a local trust to look at how a merger with their MAT would be beneficial to Foxwood children and review plans for an expansion to the Foxwood site. Another governor reviewed the phonics morning session and had a tour of the lessons with the reading lead.
October 2022	AGM	Governors and members met to review the development plans for 2022/23. All reviewed progress towards the new build and looked at due diligence on a local trust, finance predictions for the year, health and safety and safeguarding. All agreed on the schemes of delegation.
November 2022	Full body	This meeting was used to drill down into what Foxwood is. We evaluated our curriculum intent, the role as governors and the impact of the rolling review. Governors shared their areas of knowledge and understanding and identified areas where they felt that they needed more information (for example, the ways that British Values is taught in the curriculum.)
November 2022	Finance, Audit, Risk and Pay	The Pay Committee reviewed the Academy performance management systems and approved pay uplifts. The Governors reviewed the risk register in line with current economic challenges and the impact on our building work. We were visited by our external auditors who gave the governors a thorough review of the last financial year. We were pleased to report yet another clean audit.
June 2023	Full body	The governing body met with the trustees to formally merge with WHP and agreed to start a new 'local' governing body from September 2024 The governors approved the budget for 2023/24 The governors agreed spending for the summer period including fencing and outside spaces The governors reviewed the first aims and objectives of the school extension.

Attendance Data

Attendance for 2023/2024

Attendance for 2022/2023

Attendance for 2021/2022

Attendance for 2020/2021