From September 2025 our school is a proud member of the North and West Yorkshire Special Partnership (NWYSP), a dedicated group of specialist schools within the Wellspring Academy Trust, working collaboratively to provide outstanding education. The partnership is overseen by a single strategic governing body responsible for all schools in the group. These are:
- Springwell Leeds Academy
- Forest Moor School
- Green Meadows Academy,
- Penny Field School
- Forest School
- Springwell Harrogate.
This governing body sets the overall vision and strategy, ensures robust financial oversight, and holds the Executive Principals and school leaders to account for educational performance and pupil outcomes. This unified governance structure ensures that we maintain the highest standards of provision, comply fully with Department for Education (DfE) regulations and the SEND Code of Practice, and effectively share expertise and resources to meet the complex needs of all children across our partnership.
Governing Body Membership Details
| Name | Appointment | Term | Expires |
| Scott Jacques | Ex Officio | – | N/A – Ex Officio |
| Scott Crichton | Ex Officio | – | N/A – Ex Officio |
| Mark Wilson | Ex Officio | – | N/A – Ex Officio |
| Ken Morton (Chair) | Trust Appointed Governor | 1st | 01/09/2029 |
| Robert Stott | Trust Appointed Governor | 1st | 01/09/2029 |
| Andrea Cowans | Trust Appointed Governor | 1st | 01/09/2029 |
| Jayne Rowe | Trust Appointed Governor | 1st | 01/09/2029 |
| Jane O’Gara | Trust Appointed Governor | 1st | 01/09/2029 |
| Caroline Day | Parent Governor | 1st | 01/09/2029 |
| Stella Croot | Parent Governor | 1st | 01/09/2029 |
| Shaunagh Barker | Staff Governor | 1st | 01/09/2029 |
| Chris Plowright | Staff Governor | 1st | 01/09/2029 |
Governor Meetings 2025/2026
- 15th October 2025
- 27th November 2025
- 11th February 2026
- 6th May 2026
- 30th June 2026
The Forest School
Park Lane
Knaresborough
HG5 0DQ
Telephone: 01423 864583
Email: admin@forest-school.org.uk
The Forest School joined Wellspring Academy Trust on 1st April 2020. Wellspring Academy Trust’s Board of Directors are responsible to the Secretary of State for the effectiveness of all the Academies under its umbrella. In Order to ensure effectiveness at Academy Level, the Board delegates key responsibilities to the Academy Local Governing Body.
Details of the Governance arrangements within Wellspring Academy Trust and the scheme of delegation can be found at https://wellspringacademytrust.co.uk/about-us/governance/
Wellspring Academy Trust’s Annual Accounts and Schemes of Delegation/Terms of Reference can be located here: https://wellspringacademytrust.co.uk/about-us/policies-documents
Please see below for the attendance of the governing body at meetings:
Contact Details
Chair of Governors: Ken Morton
If you wish to contact the Governing Body please email Francesca Lenny, Governance Officer, at f.lenny@wellspringacademies.org.uk or alternatively please call her on 01226 720 742.