Outwood Academy Ripon 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 Ripon.
| Governor | Appointed | Term ends |
|---|---|---|
| Mrs Annette Beckwith Chair of Local Governing Body Appointed by foundation/Trust | 1 September 2023 | 31 August 2027 |
| Miss Emma Bassitt Local Governor Appointed by academy members | 25 May 2026 | 25 May 2028 |
| Mr Andrew Bishop Local Governor Appointed by academy members | 1 June 2026 | 1 June 2030 |
| Ms Barbara Brodigan Local Governor Appointed by foundation/Trust | 18 November 2024 | 17 November 2028 |
| Mr James Denton Local Governor Appointed by foundation/Trust | 1 September 2025 | 31 August 2029 |
| Mrs Lesley Denton Local Governor Appointed by foundation/Trust | 1 September 2023 | 31 August 2027 |
| Mrs Rachel Donohue Local Governor Ex-officio by virtue of office as headteacher/principal | 1 January 2024 | While in post |
| Mrs Elizabeth Flanagan Local Governor Appointed by academy members | 14 March 2026 | 14 March 2030 |
| Mrs Gemma Harrison Local Governor Appointed by foundation/Trust | 28 November 2025 | 27 November 2029 |
| Mrs Fiona Lawson-Ross Local Governor Parent appointed by GB/board due to no election candidates | 16 June 2025 | 15 June 2027 |
| Mrs Kate Lyon Local Governor Elected by school staff | 1 September 2026 | 31 August 2028 |
| Ms Kerry Robson Local Governor Elected by school staff | 1 September 2026 | 31 August 2028 |
Read our council members' declarations of interests
To contact the chair of governors, please email a.beckwith@ripon.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.
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.
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.