Meet the Governors

  • Lucinda Duffy

    Headteacher

    I joined Fox Wood School in September 2015 as Headteacher. I have taught and held Management positions in both Mainstream and Special schools and have always had a passion for enabling each individual child, young person and member of staff to reach their potential and to become as happy, motivated, skilled and confident as possible. I believe strongly in the importance of developing independence and am adept at finding innovative ways to make things possible!

    I am very proud to be Head Teacher at Fox Wood and feel that we are very fortunate to have excellent facilities, a fantastic staff team and - most importantly - pupils who inspire us and help us make our world a better place.

    I am also proud to be Chair of Governors at Sandy Lane Nursery and Forest School. Sandy Lane is one of our feeder nurseries, and this provides further links not only between our two very distinct settings, but also the work that both settings aspire to do to support the SEND Community across Warrington.

  • Patricia Chapman

    Co-opted Chair of Governors

    Hi, I am Trish Chapman and I am Chair of Governors at Fox Wood School and have been for approximately 5 years. I have three grown up children, one of whom has Down Syndrome and attended Green Lane School. I was a Parent Governor at Green Lane for 11 years, before becoming a member of staff and a Staff Governor for 8 years. I am now retired and enjoy looking after my grandchildren. I feel that being a parent of a daughter with a disability, helps me to understand some of the issues for parents and pupils alike. I am friendly and approachable and care deeply that our pupils deserve the best that we can give them.

  • Jenny Southward

    Local Authority Governor and College Link Governor

    I qualified as a teacher in 1971 commencing my career in Warrington Secondary Schools until 1991 when I decided to follow my dream of working in Special Education. I consider myself fortunate to have secured a post in the then Loushers Lane, now Foxwood, school. Subsequently, with the support of the Local Authority and the school I was able to achieve a Diploma in Special Educational Needs specialising in the education of pupils with Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties and Autism.

    In 2005 I made the very difficult decision to take early retirement to take the time to travel with my husband. I continued to teach on a supply basis to Foxwood.

    Having been Teacher Governor for several years, after my retirement the Authority appointed me as a Local Authority Governor. I have valued this opportunity as I have been able use my experience in the school to give support through various changes. I also took the Role of Vice Chair of the Governors for many years a post I later had to relinquish because of family commitments. Whenever possible I attend training to keep up to date with new initiatives and innovations.

    I support the school motto and am totally devoted to the education and well being of pupils, students and staff of Foxwood.

    I am proud to be a member of the Governing Body who are committed to encouraging children and young adults to reach their potential in a safe and happy environment

  • Mike Frost

    Co-opted Governor

    I was the Headteacher of Woolston Brook School (formerly Grappenhall Hall School) until August 2019. I have always had a real passion for special educational needs and ensuring that the pupils in my care make progress.

    I became a governor at Fox Wood because I believe I have a great deal of experience to offer, as a result of my career in special education (34 years in special schools and 24 as a head teacher)

    I believe that the pupils in any school should be making progress and that none should be marginalised. To do this successfully the school has to have a unified and talented staff. As a governor I believe it is our purpose to support the Headteacher in achieving these things and provide sufficient challenge to be sure that we can be confident in the performance of the school.

  • Phil Brammeier

    Co-opted Governor

    I became a Governor at Fox Wood School in March 2018, having volunteered here for a short time. I have been a school Governor periodically since my children were in primary school, retiring as Vice Chair in September 2017. I retired from the Fire and Rescue Service in 2012 and, in my spare time, enjoy DIY projects and keeping fit and active.

  • Graeme Nixon

    Co-opted Governor

    I became a governor at Fox Wood after meeting some of our wonderful staff at an event organised by The Cheshire and Warrington Pledge Partnership. I was immediately struck by the passion and enthusiasm to provide meaningful experiences for the students attending Fox Wood. This led to several work placements within a local care home where I hold a role as Training and Development Lead.

    Prior to this role I'd spent 17 years working with a local care and education provider for both adults and children with additional needs, in particular autism. In this role I worked with senior leaders on safeguarding in both the strategic and operational elements. This role also included responsibilities for Behaviour Support using Positive Behaviour Support framework developed by BILD and also implementing across the services.

    I have huge aspirations for all our students across both school and college. I believe each and every student should be given meaningful experiences within the school/college environment and also the wider community.

    Any spare time I have is spent with my family other than my annual fishing trip to Ireland.

    I am proud to be a member of Fox Wood's governing body and look forward to working with partners to constantly improve the experiences of all stakeholders.

  • Dale Holden

    Staff Governor

    I am a teacher at Fox Wood School and have been with the school for over 4 years – a period of time which I have enjoyed massively and take great pride in. I have been a teacher for 9 years, initially starting off in mainstream education before finding my calling in SEND. My aim is to use my experience to support the Head Teacher and governing body to further strengthen our already fantastic provision and to provide the best possible support to our pupils. As a member of staff on the Governing Body, I aim to offer an insight into school activities and give a professional knowledge of the school's strengths and areas for development. I am passionate about providing our pupils with the broadest education possible which is filled with wonderful and meaningful experiences, something which I feel Fox Wood do exceptionally well already – and I aim to contribute to the continuous development of the learning experience of our pupils as much as I possibly can.

  • Martin Smith

    Parent Governor

    I am probably best known for being Layton and Logan’s dad. Upon Logan starting at Fox Wood, I was extremely surprised at how warm, friendly, caring and supportive the team are and how much they cared and supported family’s that I felt empowered to become a Parent Governor and give something back. I am a founding member of the fundraising team, and we hope to raise as much money as possible to create more opportunities at Fox Wood.

    In my spare time I am often bouncing, spinning and running round with my children and baking. I bake and donate cakes to Fox Wood for all school events.

  • Jon Howard

    Parent Governor

    Most people will know me as Patrick’s Dad. I have been involved with Fox Wood School and Woolston College for many years, after moving Patrick from another school.
    I was immediately struck by the warm and friendly environment as soon as I walked into Fox Wood. The Fox Wood Family have been instrumental in Patrick’s progression into the young man he is today, I can honestly say I wish he had started Fox Wood earlier in his educational journey.
    I am passionate about children/young adults with special needs and not afraid to challenge people / the local authority when I feel they aren’t doing enough to support the students, and will happily be their voice to ensure people listen. I do my best to play an active role in contributing to the school’s success and achievements.
    I have many years of experience dealing with the woefully inadequate support to parents with children / young adults with special needs, and will do my utmost to improve the help given to schools by Government / the Local Authority.
    I want to give something back to the school that gave Patrick so much, and be a part of Fox Wood’s progression into the future.

  • Andy Bowen

    Co-opted Governor

    Andy is married with a son who is currently attending University.

    In a career spanning 30+ years Andy has worked in both the public and private sectors in roles ranging from pure Research & Development at University of Manchester through Project Management to Operations Management in Nuclear Decommissioning at Jacobs.

    He is passionate about Diversity & Inclusion and Developing People as well as Digital Technology.

    He took on the role of governor at Fox Wood to learn more about SEN and to help find opportunities and promote the value of everyone in society.
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