School Governors
As an academy, the Academy Council of Heatherwood School has delegated powers from the Nexus Multi Academy Trust Board of Directors, which are outlined in the Trust’s Scheme of Delegation.
Membership
Heatherwood School Local Governing Body was constituted on 1st November 2019 and in September 22 became our Academy Council and the following structure of governance is now in place:
The total membership shall be not less than 7 and not more than 12.
The membership shall comprise:
- the Chair who is elected by the Trust Board of Directors;
- the Headteacher;
- no fewer than 2 elected Parent Governors;
- two elected Members of Staff, one Teaching, one Non-Teaching;
- the remaining Governors are appointed by the Academy Council. Governors can be Parents or Members of Staff but the number of Staff Governors (inc Headteacher) must not exceed one-third of the total number of Governors.
How are Governors chosen?
There are different categories of Governors: Parent Governors, Staff Governors and Governors.
Parent Governors are elected by current parents when a vacancy becomes available. Staff Governors, are representatives of the teaching or support staff and are elected by the eligible staff when a vacancy becomes available. All Governors are appointed by the Academy Council. They are selected to provide skills and experience which Governors feel are required.
The Chair of the Academy Council is appointed by the Nexus Multi Academy Trust Board of Directors.
All Governors initially serve for a period of four years. At the end of the four years, they can stand for re-election or be re-appointed. Governors are free to resign before the end of their four-year term if they so wish.
Members of Heatherwood School Governing Body
| To be confirmed | Chair | ||
| Sam MacDonald | Executive Headteacher | ||
| Cy Goucher |
|
Interests & Attendance data | |
| Suzanne Fulwood | Staff Governor | Interests & Attendance data | |
| Kathryn Coates | Support Staff Governor | Interests & Attendance data | |
| Amy Brownsword | Community Governor | Interests and Attendance data | |
Governor's Interests are reviewed at every meeting. All individual Governor's Information with regard to interests & attendance can be found within the Individual Governor's Profiles.
Approved minutes of the Academy Council can be accessed at the bottom of this page.
Frequency
The Academy Council meets at least once a half-term, with additional meetings being arranged as required.
Memorandum and Articles
Trust documentation : Statutory Financial Information | Nexus Multi Academy Trust (nexusmat.org)
Meet the Governors:
- Chair - to be confirmed
Cy Goucher - Vice Chair, Parent Governor
I was previously a school governor at my son’s primary school. This gave me a great deal of experience, and I always told myself that I would like to be parent governor again should the opportunity arise. Since my daughter started at Heatherwood in September 2023 I have been amazed and equally humbled by the dedication of the staff. I have decided to volunteer my time to serve at this amazing school as a school governor. Being a school governor is a way of been involved and having input towards the school. Heatherwood school, is a place where the staff make the magic happen and I am proud to serve along side them.
Suzanne Fulwood - Staff Governor
Sam MacDonald - Executive Headteacher
Information coming soon
Kathryn Coates - Support Staff Governor
I was a registered nurse for 33 years working both in the UK and abroad. I have worked both on paediatric and adult wards in hospitals and in the community. I joined Heatherwood in May 2022 as a Learning Support Assistant via an agency and loved it so much that I applied for a permanent position. In February 2024 I was honoured to accept a position as Family Engagement Officer.
My role is to support our young people and their parents, carers, relatives and siblings. This support can take many forms from a listening ear, liaising with other professionals, signposting or the completion of referrals.
I endeavour to offer support in a friendly and non-judgmental way and try to be easily contactable throughout the day. I continue to be amazed by the wonderful young people and their parents/carers who attend Heatherwood.
If you feel I can help you in any way, please feel free to get in touch by contacting me on the school number, 01302 322044 and ask for Kath, Family Engagement Officer.
Amy Brownsword - Community Governor
My name is Amy Brownsword, I have extensive SEND experience as a mainstream SENCo and former Specialist Leader in Education (SLE). I am currently developing my skills further as a Class Teacher in a Nexus special school.
I am approachable, reflective and committed to inclusive practice and look forward to continuing broadening my expertise to support high-quality specialist provision.
How can I contact the School Governors?
To contact the Chair of our Academy Council, please email clerkingservices@nexusmat.org
You can also contact Clerking Services about any aspect of school governance at this address clerkingservices@nexusmat.org
Past Governors:
| Lyndsey Proctor | Resigned - 31 December 2025 | Interests & Attendance data | |
| Gary Bullock |
|
Interests and Attendance data | |
| Melanie Pidgeon | Resigned - 28 November 2025 | Interests & Attendance data | |
| Marc Bratcher | Resigned - 19 August 2025 | Interests and Attendance data | |
| Lisa Suter | Change of Role within Nexus - Dec 24 | ||
| Fiona Kirkham | Resigned - 05 December 24 | ||
| Patricia Burbanks | Retired - 31 August 24 | ||
| Daryl Bennett | Resigned - 30 April 24 | Interest & Attendance Data | |
| Kayleigh Smith | Resigned - 30 April 24 | Interest & Attendance Data | |
| Bridget Coy | Resigned - 31 August 23 | Interests & Attendance Data | |
| Anne-Marie O'Dell | Resigned - 31 August 22 | ||
| Karen Latimer | Resigned - March 22 | ||
Academy Council Minutes
Below are copies of the Academy Council minutes. Reports on the agendas for any of these meetings are available to the public for public inspection. If any member of the public would like to request a copy of any of the reports from a meeting agenda, please submit a request in writing, specifying which reports are being requested, to foi@nexusmat.org
Please note that published minutes will include the previous academic year and the current academic year for records management purposes. Should you wish to see minutes from previous years, we will happily provide these to you and would ask that you follow the FOI process as stated above.
USEFUL INFORMATION
Further useful governance information can be found on the Nexus Trust website. Please click here to locate documents such as the Governance Handbook, Glossary of Terms and the Scheme of Delegation.