Academy Council
Outwood Primary Academy Kirkhamgate 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 Primary Academy Kirkhamgate.
Council members
| Governor | Appointed | Term ends |
|---|---|---|
| Mr Lee Harper Chair of Local Governing Body Appointed by foundation/Trust | 11 March 2025 | 10 March 2029 |
| Mrs Sarah Crawford Local Governor Appointed by foundation/Trust | 16 September 2025 | 15 September 2029 |
| Mrs Gemma Howe Local Governor Elected by school staff | 1 November 2024 | 31 October 2026 |
| Mr Matthew Vickers Local Governor Ex-officio by virtue of office as headteacher/principal | 23 March 2024 | While in post |
| Mrs Samantha Wilkinson Local Governor Appointed by foundation/Trust | 12 December 2025 | 11 December 2029 |
| Mrs Sonia Wilson Local Governor Appointed by foundation/Trust | 24 November 2022 | 23 November 2026 |
Mr Lee Harper
- Appointed
- 11 March 2025
- Term ends
- 10 March 2029
Mrs Sarah Crawford
- Appointed
- 16 September 2025
- Term ends
- 15 September 2029
Mrs Gemma Howe
- Appointed
- 1 November 2024
- Term ends
- 31 October 2026
Mr Matthew Vickers
- Appointed
- 23 March 2024
- Term ends
- While in post
Mrs Samantha Wilkinson
- Appointed
- 12 December 2025
- Term ends
- 11 December 2029
Mrs Sonia Wilson
- Appointed
- 24 November 2022
- Term ends
- 23 November 2026
Read our council members' declarations of interests
To contact the chair of governors, please contact the academy.
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.