Go back
Back to Schools and education

Schools Forum

All councils have a Schools Forum as set out by government.

The Schools Forum acts as both an advice giving and decision making body. Schools can put forward their views to the council on matters such as:

  • the allocation and distribution of funding
  • supplies and services
  • arrangements for special educational needs
  • the use of pupil referral units
  • free school meals
  • the funding of early years provision 

Membership

The Schools Forum is made up of people from schools and academies, as well as other non-school bodies. These could be nurseries and 14 to 19 education settings.

Schools group representatives

Primary school headteachers

  • Simon Tabbiner
  • Joe Woffinden

Primary school governors

  • Stephen Morgan 

Primary academy headteachers

  • Victoria Gorton

Primary academy governors

  • Adrian England 
  • Michael Sanderson, Chair of the Forum
  • Peter Bell

Secondary school headteachers

  • Paul Crook 

Secondary school governors

  • Vacancy

Secondary academy headteachers

  • Vicky Harrison
  • Jonathan Mitchell 

Secondary academy governors

  • Margaret Gostelow 

Free school, faith school and other school representatives

  • Vacancy 

Special education provision headteachers

  • Josh Greaves 

Special education provision governors

  • George Wild

Alternative education provision

  • Josh Greaves 

Non-schools group representatives

Nursery education

  • Simon Sykes

Early years provision

  • Melanie Szoke

Education for young people aged 14-19

  • Tom Smith

Local Authority elected member representatives

  • Cllr Ashley Peace
  • Cllr Ken Richardson

Teaching profession representative

  • Vacancy

Diocesan representative

  • Vacancy

Member protocol

The local guide to the Barnsley Schools Forum includes reference to the: 

  • constitution 
  • terms of reference 
  • role and responsibilities
  • membership

It also includes details on how it aspires to discharge it's role and duties under the Schools Forum (England) Regulations (2012).

Member allowances

Schools Forum members get money for things like financial loss and travel. The full details can be found in the guidance on allowances for Schools Forum members.

Meetings

All Schools Forum meetings are minuted.

Meeting schedule

The meetings for 2025 and 2026 will take place on the following dates:

  • Thursday 17 July 2025 at 10am.
  • Thursday 23 October 2025 at 2pm.
  • Tuesday 9 December 2025 at 2pm.
  • Thursday 22 January 2026 at 2pm.
  • Tuesday 17 March 2026 at 2pm.

All the meetings will take place at the Westgate Plaza, Westgate, Barnsley S70 2DR.

To attend a meeting or receive a copy of the forum's reports, please email admin-schoolsalliance@barnsley.gov.uk.

Minutes and agendas from previous meetings

2025

 

2024

 

For minutes from previous years, please email admin-schoolsalliance@barnsley.gov.uk.

More information