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Salford Schools Forum

About schools forums

Schools forums generally have a consultative role. However, there are situations in which they have decision making powers. The respective roles of schools forums, local authorities, and the Department for Education (DfE) are summarised in the schools forum powers and responsibilities guidance.

There’s no specific definition of these consultation requirements over and above the wording in the regulations. It’s a matter for the local authority to decide on the appropriate level of detail it needs to generate a sufficiently informed response from schools forum.

The schools forum regulations provide a framework for the appointment of members, but allow a considerable degree of discretion in order to accommodate local priorities and practice. A quick guide to the structure of schools forums is available on GOV.UK.

Meeting dates

  • 21 January 2026

  • 23 March 2026

  • 20 May 2026

  • 1 July 2026

  • 7 October 2026

  • 2 December 2026

Members

Expand the boxes below to see all the schools and non-schools members.

Schools

Primary schools - Head teachers

Member

Term of office

Stephen Lawler-Smith

July 2024 / July 2028

Julie Plant

October 2026 / October 2029

Paula Warding 

October 2026 / October 2029

Primary schools - Governors

Member

Term of office

Chloe Yeoman

October 2026 / October 2029

Judith Elderkin

March 2025 / March 2029

Catherine Collier  

March 2025 / March 2029

Primary academy - Head teachers

Member

Term of office

Victoria Unsworth

January 2024 / January 2028

Primary academy - Governors

Member

Term of office

Andrew Sargeant (Vice Chair)

April 2025 / April 2029

Secondary schools - Head teachers

Member

Term of office

Ben Davis 

October 2024 / October 2028

Secondary schools - Governors

Member

Term of office

Vacant

Vacant

Secondary academy - Head teachers

Member

Term of office

Claire Coy

October 2026 / October 2030

Iain Ross

December 2025 / December 2029

Secondary academy - Governors

Member

Term of office

Esther Bousselham

October 2025 / October 2029

Special schools

Member

Term of office

Jacqui Wennington (Chair)

April 2025 / April 2029

Special academy - Head teachers

Member

Term of office

Andrew Taylor

October 2024 / October 2028

Secondary Special School - Governor

Member

Term of office

Jo Martin

December 2024 to December 2028

Pupil referral units

Member

Term of office

Olwyn Naylor 

July 2025 / July 2029

Non-schools

Faith communities

Member

Term of office

Julia Kinch

December 2024 / December 2028

The Early Years Partnership

Member

Term of office

Vacant

Vacant

The 14 / 19 Partnership

Member

Term of office

Laura Barnes

September 2022 / September 2026

Teacher trade union

Member

Term of office

Rachel Knight

September 2022 / September 2026

Non-teacher trade union

Member

Term of office

Alison Campbell

December 2025 / December 2029

The constitution, agendas, meeting records and reports are available below. Older agendas, minutes and reports can also be viewed below.

Powers and responsibilities

The Education and Skills Funding Agency have published a document that outlines the schools forum powers and responsibilities (Adobe PDF format)

Downloadable documents

If you are unable to view documents of these types, our downloads page provides links to viewing software.

Who to contact

Name
Elizabeth Jones
Address
Salford Civic Centre
Chorley Road
Swinton
Salford
M27 5DA
Map to this location
Email
elizabeth.jones@salford.gov.uk

This page was last updated on 3 August 2026

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