Governors

Welcome

Dear Parents and carers,

At Willowcroft we aim to provide a caring, stimulating, and healthy learning environment in which all pupils are given the opportunity to achieve their full potential. We are proud of our reputation as an inclusive, friendly and welcoming school.

Willowcroft governing body is a dedicated team of parents, carers, community members and staff committed to ensuring that every child at our school is given the opportunity to achieve their full potential.

We work closely with the Headteacher to set the strategic direction of the school in alignment with Willowcroft’s vision and values, monitoring its performance, and ensuring accountability. In line with the key principles of good governance, we challenge and support the Headteacher in the continuous improvement of the school.

All the school's Directors are proud of the school, the teachers, support staff and the pupils, who make excellent progress while they are at the school.

Please let us know if you have any concerns we can help with. You can contact us by emailing the school clerk.

If you would like to find out more about becoming a governor at Willowcroft visit:

https://willowcroft.schooljotter3.com/admin/sites/page/about-us/governors/joining-the-willowcroft-board-of-directors

Thank you for your continued support.

Best regards,

Carol Diffenthal
Chair of Governors

The Current Board

The Board of Directors /Governing Body of Willowcroft Academy Trust is currently made up of ten trustees. They include:

Parent Governors
Staff Governors
Community Governors

The current Directors are:

Carol Diffenthal (Parent Governor), Chair of Governors, Safeguarding Governor
Steven Davies (Parent Governor), Chair of Finance & Resources
Amanda Doy (Head teacher)
Jodie Brown (Staff Governor)
Jocelyn English (Parent Governor)
Leanne Adams (Parent Governor) Vice Chair, Safeguarding Governor
Dalia Pringle (Parent Governor)
Ellie Stacey (co-opt Governor)
Rachel Farrington (co-opt Governor)

You may contact governors by emailing the clerk.

Safeguarding Governor

The safeguarding governors are Carol Diffenthal and Leanne Adams.

Governor Vacancies

Joining the Willowcroft Board of Directors

Governor Meeting Dates 2024-25

FRC1	22 September 2025 (online)	Finance: Governors consider draft report and accounts with input into annual accounts Audit and risk Committee: Governors consider scope of audit and discuss teacher progressions.
CAC1	6 October 2025 (online)	Curriculum: Governors analyse detailed data on attainment and progress including SATS data and review the proposed adjustments to the RAP. Link governor reports for specific subjects
FGB1	20 October 2025 (in school)	Curriculum: Governors suggest adjustments to RAP as appropriate given the SATS results Finance: Governors receive initial draft of trustees report and accounts for the previous year for comment and input as required
FGB2	1 December 2025 (in school)	Curriculum: Governors consider a progress report from the HT of progress against the RAP Finance: Governors approve the annual accounts for the previous academic year and representation letter (Auditors to attend)
FRC2	19 January 2026 (online)	Pay Committee: Governors consider recommendations of the head teacher as to pay progression Audit and risk Committee: Governors consider items from the external auditors, including management letter points.
CAC2	2 March 2026 (online)	Curriculum: Governors review RAP and link reports highlighting areas for wider discussion. Link governor reports for specific subjects.
FGB3	16 March 2026 (in school)	Governors' Day – Curriculum: Governors get an update on progress against the RAP, in the run up to the SATS. Finance: Governors feed initial ideas to the next budget. Governors consider amendments to the DFE finance handbook and financial direction for the following year.
FRC3	27 April 2026 (online)	Governors consider a draft budget for the following year (detail) and the subsequent two years (outline) and discuss the assumptions used in developing the budgets Proposed new for 2025-26: add it extra audit & risk committee to meet the 2025 Financial Academies Handbook (FAH) updated statement.
CAC3	18 May 2026 (online)	Curriculum: Governors review the wider curriculum and look in depth at data on attainment and progress including preliminary SATS data. Link governor reports for specific subjects.
FGB4	6 July 2026 (in school)	Curriculum: Governors review RAP progress for the year and look at plan for following year. To be formally agreed in the FGB1 meeting of the following year based on the outcome of the SAT results. Finance: Governors approve the budget for the succeeding academic year (and indicative budget for two years after)