Governors
Welcome to the Whiteley Governors
Welcome to the Whiteley Primary School Governor page. Below is some information about the role of the school governor and an opportunity to learn a little more about the people who volunteer to fulfil these roles. Within Whiteley this is done through 3 main groups. One is the full governing body which meets twice a term and covers many of the statutory elements of the governing body. We adopt a corporate governance model which means that no one governor is fully responsible for any element of the work of the group or school.
The curriculum group focuses on the learning aspects of school life; links with year groups and performance are essential to understand the effects of policy on the progress of the students. They also help with aspects like the parent / student questionnaire and feeding into school strategic planning.
The resources group looks at aspects of budgeting, premises, health and safety and general infrastructure which helps keep the school running.
If you have any questions on or for the governing body please contact the office who have a range of ways in which to get in touch.
The Governing body of a school is responsible under the education act 1986 for the following:
· Take general responsibility for the conduct of the school
· Share responsibility for the curriculum with the local authority and the Headteacher.
· Participate in decisions about the school's budget
· Offer the Headteacher general principles to follow in determining a policy on discipline
· Share in the selection of staff and, if necessary, their dismissal
The Governing body is made up of different ‘types’ of Governors.
These are:
Parent Governors, elected by parents of children at the School (6)
Staff Governors (including the Headteacher) (3)
LA Governors nominated by the Local Authority (3)
Community Governors who are members of the local community (5)
Below are brief introductions to the Governors at Whiteley Primary.
Parent Governors
Name: Simon Ede
Family: Married to Lindsey, a Secondary School Teacher, and have two Children (Holly aged 5 in Year 1 at Whiteley and Kieran aged 2)
Job: Transition Manager at NATS (responsible for Transitioning new systems and software into Operational Service at various Air Traffic Control Centres)
Type of Governor: Parent Governor
Length of Service: 1 year
Governor responsibilities: Full Governing Body, Curriculum Committee member and Year 2 Link Governor
Why did you become a governor? To support the school and the community of Whiteley and to have the opportunity to gain an insight into the running of a school and the current issues it faces. I would hope that my own experiences of education and of working for a large corporation would enable me to make a positive contribution towards the running of the school.
Hobbies: Watford Football Club (I know!!), Motor Sport, Golf and Mountain Biking
Favourite memory of school: Educational trips to places like Whitby, York and France. Education trips are a great way to learn by actually testing out the taught theory in real practical situations.
Name: Roy Jennings
Family: Wife Jane and sons Jacob (6 years) and Theo (4 years), plus 3 dogs, 2 Rabbits, 4 Guinea Pigs and a Hamster!!
Job: Police Sergeant (Hampshire Constabulary)
Type of Governor: Parent
Length of Service: Newly appointed
Governor responsibilities: Curriculum Year 3 link governor
Why did you become a governor? Having two young boys, one who will only start school this September, I would like to help ensure their continued excellent education. By being a governor I will have a chance to make a difference by helping to promote and ensure that the education they receive continues to be to the highest standard. I like challenges and I am not afraid to speak up if I see things that can be improved. I am already a Beaver Scout Assistant Leader where I am hopefully helping youngsters to have an interest in the Outdoors and understand society better from an early age.
Hobbies: DIY, walking, cooking and reading
Favourite memory of school: The day that I was selected as Captain of the Under 13 Cricket team.
Name: Helen Phyall
Family: Husband and 3 children aged 9, 8, 5
Job: Freelance Lecturer/Accountant
Type of Governor: Parent Governor
Length of Service: 1 Year
Governor responsibilities: Chair of Resources Committee
Why did you become a governor? To help support my children’s school
Hobbies: When I have time, walking with friends and running
Favourite memory of school: at infant school being chosen to help a visiting magician with his magic trick
Name: Mark Randell
Family: Married with 2 Children (Yr 5 & Yr3)
Job: Regional Manager - Investment Management
Type of Governor: Parent
Length of Service: 4 Years
Governor responsibilities: Resources Committee Member, Health & Safety, Lead Governor for School Travel Plan
Why did you become a governor? To support the school, give a parental perspective and influence the decisions made by the school governing body. I am keen to ensure that the school offers all its pupils the opportunity to reach their full potential in an environment that recognises and values more than just formal education.
Hobbies: I am a qualified Rugby, Football & Cricket coach at clubs locally. Visits to Twickenham whenever I can get a ticket and socialising.
Favourite memory of school: Home Time!
Name: Stuart Sandy
Family: Married with two children, both at Whiteley
Job: Company Director
Type of Governor: Parent Governor
Length of Service: 1 year
Governor responsibilities: Vice Chair of Resources Committee
Why did you become a governor? I enjoy a challenge; I like working in a team environment; being a Governor affords me the opportunity to contribute something back not only to my children’s education but to each and every child that passes through the gates of Whiteley School.
Hobbies: Squash, Swimming, Gym,
Favourite memory of school: School trips, I had some very memorable great school trips.
Name: Wendy Steward
Family: Husband Gary, sons Matthew and Toby, both at Whiteley Primary, a 17 year old step daughter Charlotte, at College and Wolfe the cat.
Job: Police Officer – Public Protection Unit
Type of Governor: Parent Governor
Length of Service: 2 Years at this school.
Governor responsibilities: Vice Chair, also serve on Curriculum Committee linked to ‘Achieve’
Why did you become a governor? My first Governor role was many years ago in a school in a deprived area of Southampton. A colleague thought I’d be good at it! I didn’t know what I’d got into, raising the aspirations of the children and getting them to believe that a good education would be of benefit, was an uphill task. I quickly recognised the significance of an effective Governor to support and help focus the school community for positive change. Whiteley is now my third school that I have been a Governor in. The role is both challenging and rewarding. Nothing is more motivating than knowing that what you do, will impact on your own children’s happiness and achievements. It makes you really want to get it right.
Hobbies: Some years ago I had these – now I tend to watch the kids do theirs! I enjoy caravanning, gardening, swimming and scuba diving.
Favourite memory of school: Playing netball and sitting on the school field in the sun making daisy chains! My RE teacher, Mr James, who was a wonderful and kind person. Sorry – more than one memory.
Staff Governors
Name: Pat Bradley
Family: Husband Paddy, no children
Job: Headteacher
Type of Governor: Headteacher Governor
Length of Service: Since the school opened in 1997
Governor responsibilities: Reporting to the governing body on all aspects of the school’s strategic
management
Why did you become a governor? Part of Headteacher responsibilities
Hobbies: Diving, camping, walking, gardening, reading
Favourite memory of school: Becoming school athletics champion when I was in year 10
Name: Lesley Pennington
Family: Married to Phil, daughter aged 1
Job: Deputy Headteacher
Type of Governor: Staff Governor
Length of Service: 8 years
Governor responsibilities: Curriculum Committee
Why did you become a governor? I became a governor when I was a class teacher as I wanted to become more involved in the strategic planning for the school.
Hobbies: Music (especially singing) and drama – I am a member of Fareham Musical Society, regularly performing in concerts and shows, and I am musical director for the FMS ensemble.
Favourite memory of school: Playing the angel in the school nativity, with huge cardboard wings – I remember being very excited that I was allowed to ‘hide’ in the pulpit in church and pop out to say my lines!
Name: Nikki Yeo
Family: Husband, Alex (12) Ben (10) two kittens and lots of fish!
Job: Library Manager, Whiteley Primary School
Type of Governor: Staff Governor
Length of Service: 3 and a half years
Governor responsibilities: Reception Link Governor for the Curriculum Committee
Why did you become a governor? I wanted to understand how the whole school works and to get a clearer picture of the huge amount of tasks that a school has to do over and above what they want to do!
Hobbies: Running and reading are my main hobbies, along with spending time with family and friends!
Favourite memory of school: Going to the last night of the school proms at the Albert Hall, it was fantastic.
LA Governors
Name: Linda Coyle (to be updated soon)
Name: Steve Griffiths
Family: Daughter in Reception and Son age 2
Job: IT Manager for Siemens responsible for Application Outsourcing deals
Type of Governor: LA Governor
Length of Service: 4 years
Governor responsibilities: Chair of Governors, Training Liaison Governor, Year 6 link governor
Why did you become a governor?
My wife is a Primary School teacher and has been a staff governor. In previous schools where she has worked I have helped in various ways and have known a number of their governors so was reasonably aware of the work of a school governing body. I became aware of a vacancy for a governor and saw it as a good opportunity to help.
Hobbies: Mountain biking, adventure racing, video making
Favourite memory of school: Winning a sevens rugby tournament
Name: Revd Gary Snape
Family: Married to the Revd Lorraine Snape. We have 2 grown up Sons and 4 Grandchildren
Job: Church of England Minister, Whiteley
Type of Governor: LA Governor
Length of Service: I look ancient but in fact I am new! I have been a governor for 4 months
Governor responsibilities: Curriculum Committee member
Why did you become a governor?
Some say that our children represent the future, and that is true, but they are very much with us in the present and should be valued as the unique God-given individuals they are. How we educate them now, and nurture them now, will determine their happiness and wellbeing in future and the vital part they will play in the community and the wider world in which we live. Supporting the Headteacher and the staff team to help each child achieve their full potential is why I am a governor.
Hobbies: Reading, walks in the country and by the sea, watching Rugby.
Favourite memory of school: A school trip by coach to the Black Forest region of Germany
Community Governors
Name: Mrs Vivian Achwal
Family: Married with one daughter, (Amy went to Whiteley Primary School and is now in her first year at Swansea University studying English Literature)
Job: District Councillor for Winchester Ward since May 2008, also a Whiteley Parish Councillor since 2005
Type of Governor: Community Governor
Length of Service: 2 years
Governor responsibilities: I am a member of the Resources Committee, checking on the finances and appointing new members of Staff. Also on the School Transport group, looking at ways to help improve the way pupils get to school
Why did you become a governor? My daughter went to Whiteley Primary School and I was on the school PTA when the school first opened. I want to keep in touch with the school as it is a very important part of the Community and enjoy seeing the school grow from strength to strength.
Hobbies: I play the trumpet and enjoy walking
Favourite memory of school: My friend and I were the first girls ever at our secondary to play a brass instrument and to do metalwork. After us there were many more girls who started to play brass instruments, but we were the first!!
Name: Jackie Clarke
Family: Husband and two daughters (6 and 6 months)
Job: Secondary Drama Teacher but full time mum at present.
Type of Governor: Community Governor
Length of Service: 4 years
Governor responsibilities: Chair of Curriculum committee, link governor to year 1.
Why did you become a governor? When we moved to Whiteley I was looking for a way to become part of the community and I thought becoming a governor at the local school would give me this opportunity. Also I was interested in the issues facing primary education.
Hobbies: Theatre, reading, days out, spending time with family and friends
Favourite memory of school: Performing in the sixth form variety performance with my best friend.
Name: David Creal
Family: Married to Susan (1971) a school teacher, Son Nicholas (1973) works for me, Daughter Kathryn (1977) primary school teacher.
Job: Self employed Chartered Accountant
Type of Governor: Community
Length of Service: 12 years
Governor responsibilities: Resources Committee - finance
Why did you become a governor? Approached by Local Borough Councillor when school was being formed and it gave me an opportunity to give something back to the Community.
Hobbies: Rugby, Golf, Cricket, Freemasonry and Rotary
Favourite memory of school: Academic and sporting opportunities
Name: Tim Hancock
Family: Married to Kerry, son Karl
Job: Minister at Locks Heath Free Church
Type of Governor: Community Governor
Length of Service: Since January 2008
Governor responsibilities: Member of Curriculum Committee and Link Governor to Year 4
Why did you become a governor? To play some part in making a difference to the lives of all those involved at the school and to work in partnership to continue to build a great place to learn.
Hobbies: Running, Reading, Cricket
Favourite memory of school: Opening the bowling for the school cricket team
Name: Ronald (Ron) Derek Short.
Family: Wife: (Tessa). Two grown up Sons. Three Grandsons. One Granddaughter.
Job: Retired Royal Navy Technical Commander & Retired Project Manager, Marconi Underwater Systems
Type of Governor: Community Governor
Length of Service: About 20 years. Whiteley 11 years
Governor responsibilities: Ex Chair of Governors Whiteley. Now serves on Curriculum Committee & H/T Performance Review Committee.
Why did you become a governor?
To help make a difference at Mayfield Secondary School, Portsmouth.
Appointed by the LA to the Preliminary Governing Body, Whiteley.
Now also Chair of Governors of Prospect BESD School, Leigh Park.
Hobbies: Travelling the world. Gardening. Village Life. Reading, if time.
Favourite memory of school: Too far away to remember.