Academy Council
Outwood Grange Academy 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 Grange Academy.
Council members
| Governor | Appointed | Term ends |
|---|---|---|
| Claire Stephenson Chair of Local Governing Body Appointed by foundation/Trust | 26 September 2023 | 25 September 2027 |
| Andrea Cope Local Governor Appointed by GB/board | 27 February 2026 | 27 February 2030 |
| Mrs Tracy Parsley Local Governor Elected by school staff | 2 December 2024 | 1 December 2026 |
| Mr Toby Rutter Local Governor Ex-officio by virtue of office as headteacher/principal | 1 September 2025 | While in post |
| Julie Valentine Local Governor Elected by parents | 28 April 2026 | 28 April 2030 |
Claire Stephenson
- Appointed
- 26 September 2023
- Term ends
- 25 September 2027
Andrea Cope
- Appointed
- 27 February 2026
- Term ends
- 27 February 2030
Mrs Tracy Parsley
- Appointed
- 2 December 2024
- Term ends
- 1 December 2026
Mr Toby Rutter
- Appointed
- 1 September 2025
- Term ends
- While in post
Julie Valentine
- Appointed
- 28 April 2026
- Term ends
- 28 April 2030
Read our council members' declarations of interests
To contact the chair of governors, please email c.stephenson@ledgerlane.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.