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 school's leadership. Some Governors are appointed by the Trust and others are elected by parents or carers of children who attend Outwood Academy Freeston

The Outwood Academy Freeston Academy Council

Name/RoleDate of AppointmentTerm of Office Ends
Mr Ben Thaler
Chair of Local Governing Body
Appointed by foundation/Trust
2024-10-092025-10-08
Mrs Lisa Allott
Local Governor
Ex-officio by virtue of office as headteacher/principal
2018-11-05
Mrs Susan Blayney
Local Governor
Appointed by GB/board
2022-12-122026-12-11
Ms Sharron Booth
Local Governor
Elected by school staff
2022-11-072024-11-06
Mr Michael Devaney
Local Governor
Appointed by foundation/Trust
2022-12-122026-12-11
Ms Leah Huddlestone
Local Governor
Appointed by foundation/Trust
2022-01-012026-12-31
Mrs Emma Jayne Parkinson
Local Governor
Appointed by foundation/Trust
2023-09-252027-09-24
Mrs Maggie Vasey
Local Governor
Appointed by foundation/Trust
2024-10-092025-10-08

To contact the Chair of Governors, please email b.thaler@freeston.outwood.com

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. More details of these can be found here.

Each of the above bodies have detailed Terms of Reference which set out their roles and responsibilities and functions. the authority of each group is controlled by the Board via the Scheme of Delegation. You can find out more about this, and about the Outwood Family Board of Trustees here.