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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
  • Vacancy

Primary school governors

  • Jackie Milliner
  • Vacancy  

Primary academy headteachers

  • Victoria Gorton
  • Joe Woffinden
  • Katie Adamski
  • Vacancy

Primary academy governors

  • Michael Sanderson, Chair of the Forum
  • Peter Bell
  • Vacancy

Secondary school headteachers

  • Paul Crook 

Secondary school governors

  • Visseh Pejan-Sykes

Secondary academy headteachers

  • Amir Arezoo
  • Vacancy

Secondary academy governors

  • Victoria Harrison
  • Nigel Leeder
  • Vacancy

Free school, faith school and other school representatives

  • Vacancy 

Special education provision headteachers

  • Josh Greaves (Vice Chair)

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 Dedorah Pearson
  • Cllr Ken Richardson
  • Cllr Janine Moyes

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 2026 and 2027 will take place on the following dates:

  • Thursday 22 January 2026 at 2pm
  • Tuesday 17 March 2026 at 2pm
  • Thursday 16 July 2026 at 2pm
  • Thursday 22 October 2026 at 2pm
  • Thursday 17 December 2026 at 2pm
  • Thursday 21 January 2027 at 2pm
  • Thursday 18 March 2027 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