Academy Council
Outwood Academy Portland is a proud member of the Outwood Family; therefore, ultimate responsibility for our academy rests with the Outwood Grange Academies Trust Board of Trustees. However, some of the work of the board is delegated to the Academy Council, who are the governors of the academy.
Our Academy Council is a sub-committee of the Outwood Board and its role is to carry the Outwood vision, values, policies and priorities forward while providing internal assurance and, in addition, to develop and strengthen the academy's links with the local community.
The Academy Council is made up of governors who are expected to question, challenge and support the academy's leadership. Some governors are appointed by the Trust and others are elected by parents or carers of children who attend Outwood Academy Portland.
Council members
| Governor | Appointed | Term ends |
|---|---|---|
| Rev David Gough Chair of Local Governing Body Appointed by foundation/Trust | 1 September 2026 | 31 August 2030 |
| Mrs Selina Archer Local Governor Appointed by foundation/Trust | 17 December 2025 | 16 December 2029 |
| Mr Stephen Dilks Local Governor Appointed by foundation/Trust | 13 February 2025 | 12 February 2029 |
| Mrs Helen Ellis Local Governor Elected by school staff | 12 December 2025 | 11 December 2027 |
| Mrs Jeanette Hercun Local Governor Appointed by foundation/Trust | 6 October 2024 | 5 October 2028 |
| Doctor Amulya Nadkarni Local Governor Elected by parents | 24 January 2025 | 23 January 2027 |
| Mr James Routh Local Governor Elected by parents | 24 January 2025 | 23 January 2027 |
| Mrs Danielle Sheehan Local Governor Ex-officio foundation governor (appointed by foundation by virtue of the office they hold) | 13 December 2021 | 12 December 2030 |
| Miss Claudine Storr Local Governor Appointed by foundation/Trust | 16 September 2024 | 15 September 2028 |
Rev David Gough
- Appointed
- 1 September 2026
- Term ends
- 31 August 2030
Mrs Selina Archer
- Appointed
- 17 December 2025
- Term ends
- 16 December 2029
Mr Stephen Dilks
- Appointed
- 13 February 2025
- Term ends
- 12 February 2029
Mrs Helen Ellis
- Appointed
- 12 December 2025
- Term ends
- 11 December 2027
Mrs Jeanette Hercun
- Appointed
- 6 October 2024
- Term ends
- 5 October 2028
Doctor Amulya Nadkarni
- Appointed
- 24 January 2025
- Term ends
- 23 January 2027
Mr James Routh
- Appointed
- 24 January 2025
- Term ends
- 23 January 2027
Mrs Danielle Sheehan
- Appointed
- 13 December 2021
- Term ends
- 12 December 2030
Miss Claudine Storr
- Appointed
- 16 September 2024
- Term ends
- 15 September 2028
Read our council members' declarations of interests
To contact the chair of governors, please email d.gough@portland.outwood.com
Standards and accountability
The Outwood Board and our Academy Council, and their members, will at all times uphold the Seven Principles of Public Life, known as the Nolan Principles.
The Outwood Board and our Academy Council each have detailed Terms of Reference which set out their roles, responsibilities and functions. The authority of each is controlled by the Board via the Scheme of Delegation. You can find out more about this on the page about the Outwood Grange Academies Trust Board of Trustees.
Could you be a governor?
We're always looking for people from all walks of life to join us in carrying the Outwood vision, values and priorities forward. As a governor you'll receive training, develop transferable skills, and help shape the things that matter most to our pupils and our community.
We especially welcome interest from people with experience in finance, business or marketing, education leadership, safeguarding, HR, health and safety, special educational needs, or careers and employability. If you're ready to question, challenge and support the academy's leadership, we'd love to hear from you. You can read more about the role on the Outwood Family website.