Academy Council
Outwood Academy Freeston is a proud member of the Outwood Family; therefore, ultimate responsibility for our academy rests with the Outwood Grange Academies Trust Board of Trustees. However, some of the work of the board is delegated to the Academy Council, who are the governors of the academy.
Our Academy Council is a sub-committee of the Outwood Board and its role is to carry the Outwood vision, values, policies and priorities forward while providing internal assurance and, in addition, to develop and strengthen the academy's links with the local community.
The Academy Council is made up of governors who are expected to question, challenge and support the academy's leadership. Some governors are appointed by the Trust and others are elected by parents or carers of children who attend Outwood Academy Freeston.
Council members
| Governor | Appointed | Term ends |
|---|---|---|
| Mr Ben Thaler Chair of Local Governing Body Appointed by foundation/Trust | 18 November 2024 | 17 November 2028 |
| Mrs Lisa Allott Local Governor Ex-officio by virtue of office as headteacher/principal | 5 November 2018 | While in post |
| Ms Sharron Booth Local Governor Elected by school staff | 9 October 2025 | 8 November 2027 |
| Mr Michael Devaney Local Governor Appointed by foundation/Trust | 9 September 2026 | 8 September 2030 |
| Mr Ben Eccersley Local Governor Elected by school staff | 12 November 2024 | 11 November 2026 |
| Ms Leah Huddlestone Local Governor Appointed by foundation/Trust | 9 September 2026 | 8 September 2030 |
| Mrs Emma Jayne Parkinson Local Governor Appointed by foundation/Trust | 25 September 2023 | 24 September 2027 |
| Mrs Maggie Vasey Local Governor Appointed by foundation/Trust | 18 November 2024 | 17 November 2028 |
| Ms Kelly Wilson Local Governor Appointed by foundation/Trust | 9 September 2026 | 8 September 2030 |
Mr Ben Thaler
- Appointed
- 18 November 2024
- Term ends
- 17 November 2028
Mrs Lisa Allott
- Appointed
- 5 November 2018
- Term ends
- While in post
Ms Sharron Booth
- Appointed
- 9 October 2025
- Term ends
- 8 November 2027
Mr Michael Devaney
- Appointed
- 9 September 2026
- Term ends
- 8 September 2030
Mr Ben Eccersley
- Appointed
- 12 November 2024
- Term ends
- 11 November 2026
Ms Leah Huddlestone
- Appointed
- 9 September 2026
- Term ends
- 8 September 2030
Mrs Emma Jayne Parkinson
- Appointed
- 25 September 2023
- Term ends
- 24 September 2027
Mrs Maggie Vasey
- Appointed
- 18 November 2024
- Term ends
- 17 November 2028
Ms Kelly Wilson
- Appointed
- 9 September 2026
- Term ends
- 8 September 2030
Read our council members' declarations of interests
To contact the chair of governors, please email b.thaler@freeston.outwood.com
Standards and accountability
The Outwood Board and our Academy Council, and their members, will at all times uphold the Seven Principles of Public Life, known as the Nolan Principles.
The Outwood Board and our Academy Council each have detailed Terms of Reference which set out their roles, responsibilities and functions. The authority of each is controlled by the Board via the Scheme of Delegation. You can find out more about this on the page about the Outwood Grange Academies Trust Board of Trustees.
Could you be a governor?
We're always looking for people from all walks of life to join us in carrying the Outwood vision, values and priorities forward. As a governor you'll receive training, develop transferable skills, and help shape the things that matter most to our pupils and our community.
We especially welcome interest from people with experience in finance, business or marketing, education leadership, safeguarding, HR, health and safety, special educational needs, or careers and employability. If you're ready to question, challenge and support the academy's leadership, we'd love to hear from you. You can read more about the role on the Outwood Family website.