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About Us » Governance
Oakwell Rise Primary 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.
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
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Michael Sanderson - Trust Appointed, and Chair of Governors |
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Mrs Jessica Jenkins Our Executive Principal of Oakwell Rise Primary Academy and Victoria Primary Academy, has served on the governing body since her employment as Principal (and previously Head of School). |
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Mrs Claire Faxon, Mrs Lisa McCarthy and Mrs Katie Pierce Our collective Principals have served on the governing body since their employment as Principals (and previously Heads of Schools) of their respective sites. They represent: Oakwell Rise Primary Academy, Oakhill Primary Academy and The Forest Primary Academy. |
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Father Paul Cartwright - Trust Appointed, and Vice Chair |
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Craig Aubrey - Parent Governor |
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Ella Copping - Staff Governor |
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Ken Mosley - Trust Appointed |
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Natalie Hardman - Ex-Officio Governor, Trust Representative |
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Scott McHale - Trust Appointed |
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Jane Kirkham - Parent Governor Jane is one of the parent governors for Barnsley Primary Partnership. Jane lives and works locally. She is part of a team of ladies who help support parents/caregivers of Oakhill school and the local community at the ‘wellbeing hub’. Jane’s link responsibility on the governing is community. |
Mrs Laura Barraclough - Staff Governor Laura is a LKS2 teacher based at Oakwell Rise primary school in Barnsley with previous experience in both KS1/LKS2. For the last 5 years Laura has led the Art curriculum for the school and more recently, the BLPP in designing an engaging and creative curriculum for all learners .This is complimented by her being the network lead for Art for Wellspring. |
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Michala Wild - Trust Appointed Michala is from Barnsley and has a background in sports development, community fundraising and currently works for a national charity that supports looked after children. Previously Michala worked for a charity that supported a number of Wellspring schools across Barnsley and Leeds with their breakfast clubs |
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Revd Mick Neal - Trust Appointed Revd Michael A Neal (Mick) - Mick is a retired Methodist Minister and has been a school governor for 35years and has served on a number of governing bodies in Lancashire and Yorkshire. "Being able to engage with school leadership and development and see how pupils can thrive in a positive learning environment is the main reason that I am committed to this work". Mick has chaired a number of governing bodies through the challenges of amalgamation, schools that are in deprived communities and some of which have achieved "Outstanding" from OFSTED. |
Other recent governors have included: Helen Handley, Lindsey Groom, Mitch Stringer, Richard Whitfield and Sam Bailey.
If you are looking for information regarding joining the Governing Body or for Local Governing Body minutes, please contact the Clerk to the Governing Body:
Megan Cotney via email: m.cotney@wellspringacademies.org.uk.
Please click on the following picture which will direct you to the Wellspring's Governance Page:
Click here to view Wellspring's policies and documents:
Please address all correspondence to the Chair of Governors:
Mr Michael Sanderson
Wellspring Academy Trust
Digital Media Centre
County Way, Barnsley
South Yorkshire
S70 2JW