Wisewood Community Primary School is part of Tapton School Academy Trust. The trust board is responsible for all the schools within the Trust and determines the mission, vision and trust improvement strategy. Local contact and community links are provided by Local Governing Boards. 

Our Local Governing Board consists of representatives from staff, parents/carers and the wider community. It provides support and challenge to senior leaders at the school, whilst reviewing and monitoring areas for which it has delegated responisbility from the trust board. These include: 

• Ensuring that the voice of all stakeholders is heard and taken into account in the work of the trust and the school.
• Ensuring that we meet the needs of our community through effective engagement. 
• Ensuring that the experience and welfare of our pupils, including the curriculum, is well-matched to the needs of our community. 
• Challenging the school to ensure deployment of financial resources best fits the needs of the whole school.

Further information about the trust governance structure and the role of the Local Governing Board is available on the trust website.

Dr Julia Paton - Chair

Julia grew up in the North West and moved to Sheffield in 2008 after completing a degree in Biomedical Science in Manchester. She worked at the University of Sheffield for 10 years in the role of Research Scientist, completing a Doctorate Degree in Blood cancer and publishing several papers. Julia was recognised as an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy for her contribution to teaching and development. 

Due to her passion for education Julia now works as a Civil Servant in the Department for Education. She is looking forward to working with Wisewood to help ensure the school remains a positive and stimulating environment for children to thrive educationally and socially.  

Katie Eyre - Vice Chair 

Katie has lived in Sheffield for nearly 20 years and moved to the city to work in the healthcare sector where she provides care to people of all ages and backgrounds. 

Katie believes that every child should have a positive learning experience along with a happy and well balanced education.

Outside of work and volunteering Katie enjoys running, netball and making the most of the surrounding parks and countryside with her family.

Emma Nicholls - Co-opted Governor

Emma has lived in the S6 area for the last 8 years and loves being a part of the community. She is a former secondary school teacher and wanted to join the Local Governing Board to support the local community and to maintain some involvement with the education sector since becoming a business change Project Manager in 2022.

Emma is passionate about supporting teachers and young people to thrive in education, have opportunities for creativity and innovation and feel happy and fulfilled.

In her spare time, Emma enjoys keeping fit with yoga, netball and running and having days out with her family. 

Laura Swindells - Parent Governor

Laura has joined the Local Governing Board to help Wisewood to improve even further. Two of her daughters have already enjoyed their time at Wisewood before continuing their education at Bradfield Secondary School. Her third daughter is currently in Year 3.

Laura has lived in the Hillsborough / Wisewood area all her life and is passionate about seeing the community thrive and support eachother. She works as skincare manager for TempleSpa and takes great delight in teaching wellness and selfcare sessions to people of all ages. 

Laura runs a play group in Malin Bridge and thoroughly enjoys meeting new people. When she does have some spare time she enjoys baking and socialising. 

Lisa Skipworth - Parent Governor

 Lisa's son is at Wisewood and although it wasn't their local school, it was their first choice. On her first visit to Wisewood Lisa felt the school was a nurturing and inclusive environment which she knew would be a perfect fit for her son. Lisa's son has speech and language difficulties and the school has been a wonderful support for the the family. This was Lisa's motivation to join the Local Governing Board - to give something back and also advocate for those children with additional needs, maintaining the inclusive environment of the school. 

Lisa studied Law in Liverpool, completing an honours and masters degree. She spent 15 years working with South Yorkshire Housing Association, managing supported housing services for people experiencing homelessness. For the past 4 years she has worked in the drug and alcohol treatment sector and is currently Contract Manager for the charity We Are With You. 

Rhianne Southern - Staff Governor

Rhianne is a class teacher in Year 1 and lead of PSHE and music. She joined the school in 2019 as a Newly Qualified Teacher.