Academy Council
Outwood Academy Riverside 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 Riverside.
Council members
| Governor | Appointed | Term ends |
|---|---|---|
| Mr Ralph Pickles Chair of Local Governing Body Appointed by foundation/Trust | 15 September 2026 | 15 September 2030 |
| Mrs Shazia Aslam Local Governor Elected by school staff | 13 March 2025 | 13 March 2027 |
| Mrs Melissa Brant-Smith Local Governor Ex-officio by virtue of office as headteacher/principal | 1 September 2020 | While in post |
| Mr Derek Foxcroft Local Governor Appointed by foundation/Trust | 24 June 2025 | 23 June 2029 |
| Mrs Sarah Gordon Local Governor Appointed by GB/board | 1 September 2024 | 31 August 2028 |
| Mrs Rachel Gray Local Governor Appointed by GB/board | 11 November 2025 | 9 November 2029 |
| Mrs Fiona Kempton Local Governor Parent appointed by GB/board due to no election candidates | 11 November 2025 | 9 November 2027 |
| Mrs Julie Kinneavy Local Governor Appointed by foundation/Trust | 16 April 2024 | 15 April 2028 |
| Mr Hugh McShane Local Governor Appointed by GB/board | 11 November 2025 | 9 November 2029 |
| Jayne Rodgers Local Governor Appointed by GB/board | 28 April 2026 | 26 April 2030 |
Mr Ralph Pickles
- Appointed
- 15 September 2026
- Term ends
- 15 September 2030
Mrs Shazia Aslam
- Appointed
- 13 March 2025
- Term ends
- 13 March 2027
Mrs Melissa Brant-Smith
- Appointed
- 1 September 2020
- Term ends
- While in post
Mr Derek Foxcroft
- Appointed
- 24 June 2025
- Term ends
- 23 June 2029
Mrs Sarah Gordon
- Appointed
- 1 September 2024
- Term ends
- 31 August 2028
Mrs Rachel Gray
- Appointed
- 11 November 2025
- Term ends
- 9 November 2029
Mrs Fiona Kempton
- Appointed
- 11 November 2025
- Term ends
- 9 November 2027
Mrs Julie Kinneavy
- Appointed
- 16 April 2024
- Term ends
- 15 April 2028
Mr Hugh McShane
- Appointed
- 11 November 2025
- Term ends
- 9 November 2029
Jayne Rodgers
- Appointed
- 28 April 2026
- Term ends
- 26 April 2030
Read our council members' declarations of interests
To contact the chair of governors, please email r.pickles@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.