Castle Wood Academy Committee

Melanie Ryan

Headteacher & Designated Safeguarding Lead at Castle Wood Academy

I am proud to be the Headteacher at Castle Wood Academy, having previously served as Assistant Head and then Interim Head at Mercer’s Wood Academy - another school within our Trust. With several years of teaching experience, most of which has been in Gainsborough, I am passionate about providing the children of this town with a high-quality education that empowers them to be the very best they can be.

Before entering teaching, I worked in a range of roles that have shaped who I am as an educator—including working with young offenders, supporting children as a teaching assistant and leading outdoor education activities. These varied experiences have given me a deep understanding of the challenges many families face and help me to relate meaningfully to the children and communities we serve.

I am also a parent to a now-grown-up son, who is currently studying at university - an experience that continues to inform my perspective as both a leader and a parent.
I work closely with our dedicated academy committee to ensure that children remain at the heart of every decision we make. We are incredibly fortunate to benefit from the committee’s wide-ranging knowledge and experience in helping guide our school forward.

Janette Kennedy

Link Trustee

Responsible for oversight of Local Governing Bodies

Responsible for Safeguarding, Chair & Finance

My name is Holly and I am the Chair of Governors at Castle Wood Academy.
I have been a Parent Governor since December 2017. I have been delegated the responsibility of Curriculum, Standards and Outcomes, and more recently Safeguarding.

For the past 15 years, I have been a Primary School Teacher, working in our local community. I have worked across many roles and had various responsibilities. My background in education has given me the understanding to assist Castle Wood Academy in moving forward, but also to challenge, so that we have the best possible academic and personal outcomes for all our children.

It is my belief that education works best when the school works together with parents and carers and I endeavour to support the school in building those strong partnerships for the good of the children. With this in mind, I am always keen to share positive feedback or raise concerns to ensure we can best support our pupils and families, so please do come and talk to me if there is anything you would like to discuss.

Kieran Ola

Parent Governor

kieran.ola@talloaksacademy.co.uk

Responsible for Curriculum, Standards and Outcomes & Behaviour

I’m Kieran Ola, a former Head Teacher at Mercer’s Wood Academy, and I’m proud to bring my experience in education and school leadership to my role as a governor. Over the years, I’ve worked closely with staff, pupils, and families to support learning, raise standards, and help every child reach their full potential.
As a governor, I’m committed to supporting the school’s leadership, providing challenge where needed, and ensuring that all decisions are made with the best interests of the children in mind. I believe passionately in the power of education to transform lives and want to play my part in helping the school continue to thrive.

Julie Gledhill

Clerk

julie.gledhill@judicium.com

Telephone: 0345 548 7000 (Option 1, then 6)

Maria Williams

Community Governor

Responsible for SEND

I am a qualified teacher with over 10 years of experience in education, and I currently work at Doncaster School for the Deaf. My career has been shaped by a strong commitment to inclusive education, particularly supporting children and young people with special educational needs (SEN).

In my teaching role, I work closely with students who have a wide range of needs, and I take pride in building positive relationships with both learners and their families. I believe that education should be a collaborative effort where every child is given the tools and confidence to succeed, regardless of their starting point.

I am enjoying my role as a governor at Castle Wood Academy, a role I find incredibly rewarding. I enjoy being part of a dedicated team that is committed to the continuous improvement of the school and the outcomes for its pupils.

I am approachable, thoughtful, and always ready to contribute my knowledge and experience to help ensure the best possible education for all children.

Geoff Waddington

Parent Governor

Responsible for Attendance