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
• Staff Governors (including the Headteacher)
• LEA Governors nominated by the Local Authority
• Co-opted Governors appointed on the basis of skills or experience

Meet our Governors

Name	Governor Type	Term From	Term To	Roles
Rebecca Backhouse	Parent Governor	18 Nov 2020	17 Nov 2024	Curriculum Committee, Safeguarding Governor (Co-lead), Year 2 Link Governor
Maggie Coombes	Co-opted Governor	27 Mar 2021	26 Mar 2025	Curriculum Committee Development & Training Governor Safeguarding Governor (Co-lead) Year 2 Link Governor Pay & Performance Management Committee
Simon Ede	Co-opted Governor	27 Nov 2020	26 Nov 2024	Curriculum Committee Year 5 Link Governor Pay & Performance Management Committee
Lisa Ireland	Co-opted Governor	18 Jul 2018	17 Jul 2022	Resources Committee Chair Young Governors Link Governor
Carla Jefferson	Co-opted Governor	21 Oct 2020	20 Oct 2024	Resources Committee Community Governor
Kelly Kent	Parent Governor	21 Nov 2018	20 Nov 2022	Curriculum Committee Curriculum Committee Chair Year 6 Link Governor
Patrick Lahive	Co-opted Governor	12 Sep 2018	11 Sep 2022	Curriculum Committee Year 1 Link Governor
Rebecca Livings	Co-opted Governor	08 Feb 2021	07 Feb 2025	Governing Body Vice Chair, Curriculum Committee Vice Chair, Year 3 Link Governor)
Matt McDonnell	Co-opted Governor	10 Feb 2021	09 Feb 2025	Resources Committee Resources Committee Vice Chair Premises Governor
Lesley Pennington	Headteacher			Head Teacher Resources Committee Curriculum Committee
Sarah Philip	Observer			Clerk
Ben Robertson	Local Authority Governor	18 Jul 2018	17 Jul 2022	Resources Committee IT Link Governor
Claire Salmon	Co-opted Governor	19 Jul 2018	18 Jul 2022	Curriculum Committee SEND/Inclusion Governor with Pupil Premium
Donna Savage	Staff Governor	08 Nov 2018	07 Nov 2022	Curriculum Committee Year R Link Governor
Tom Southall	Co-opted Governor	12 Feb 2018	11 Feb 2022	Governing Body Chair Resources Committee Pay & Performance Management Committee

Governor Attendance 2020/21

Governor Profile

Rebecca Backhouse

I was elected as parent governor in November 2020. I have lived in Whiteley with my husband and two children for 5 years. My eldest started reception at Whiteley Primary September 2020 and my youngest attends nursery in Whiteley. When choosing a school for my eldest I felt I shared the values of the school and was impressed by the learning environment in particular their outdoor space.

I have a background in secondary education, and have spent the past 7 years working for Hampshire children’s services. In my professional role I see the vital part schools play in supporting the wellbeing of children and hope to be able to contribute to this within my role as governor.

Maggie Coombes

My husband, Brian, and I moved to Whiteley a few years ago and I have been involved with the school as a volunteer helper since my grandchildren started school and as a Governor since 2013.

My background is in education and I have always been passionate about children’s learning. I was Deputy Head of an infant school in Southampton until my retirement and since then I helped to run a play centre at Southampton University Hospital which was staffed by volunteers. I’m involved now in a Baby and Toddler group in Locks Heath where I organise the craft work and also a group which caters for mainly young people on the autistic spectrum.

In the Governing Body, my roles at present comprise of Safeguarding Governor, Year 2 link Governor, Training and Development Governor and I sit on the Curriculum Committee. Whiteley Primary School gives its children a well rounded education that is fun and full of exciting opportunities. It’s a great school and I’m proud and delighted to be a part of it.

Simon Ede

It’s hard to believe but I’ve been a governor since 2007 when my daughter was in Year 1. She’s now been at Henry Court for a few years already and Kieran leaves Whiteley this year.  I became a governor originally 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 issues it faces.  I can honestly say that working with the school on a regular basis makes you realise how hard the staff work behind the scene to make Whiiteley Primary School the success it is.  One of the most enjoyable elements of being a governor is having the opportunity to listen to the children talk about their lives as Whiteley Pupils and how we can improve as a school.  One of the most interesting questions we ask is what they would change if they were Mrs Pennington for a day…….you can guess the responses.

Lisa Ireland

I have lived in Whiteley since 2013, and now live here with my husband and little boy who attends Whiteley Primary school. Growing up in Whiteley I have seen the school grow and deliver some fantastic achievements. I am passionate about the local area and the potential of the parents and children who live here, I use my business and leadership skills in my role as a governor to maximise that potential. For a day job, I am a Branch Manager for Waitrose, running my own business unit and managing complex teams gives me a unique skill set which I can use to add value in my role as a governor.

Carla Jefferson

I am very excited to become a school governor as I am passionate and enthusiastic about learning and serving our community.  I live with my husband and two amazing boys who both attend Whiteley Primary. Having experience first hand the outstanding support the school have given my family in the past 5 years, I wanted to join the governing body and give something back with my experience in financial services and digital transformation. When I’m am not working I enjoy walking, ferrying the kids about to clubs, and supporting my husbands Professional Elvis Tribute show.

Kelly Kent

My husband and I moved to Whiteley in 2010, and since then have had two children. We have seen first-hand the high quality teaching and learning our son has received at Whiteley Primary School, and as a governor I wanted to seize the opportunity to give something back. I am a local secondary school teacher, and over my career of twenty years have worked in three schools across two Local Authorities. With my daughter yet to start primary school I have both a professional and personal interest in the continuous development of educational provision in the are to ensure the young people of Whiteley have the best opportunities.

When not working or spending time with the family, I can be seen running the streets and woods of Whiteley, and I am a big theatre fan.  I was appointed as a Parent Governor at the end of the Autumn Term 2018.

Patrick Lahive

I joined Whiteley as a teacher in September 2018. Before I came here, I was a governor at a different school where I learnt just how valuable and incredibly interesting the role of a governor is. I am proud to be a governor here at Whiteley and to be able to help our school in any way I can.

Rebecca Livings

A few years ago, after having my first child, I made the decision to put myself forward to become a Governor at Whiteley Primary School to hopefully give a little back to the community myself and my family love so much. My background is in education, so I felt that my skill set could help support the local school that I have been passing nearly every day for the many years we have lived in ‘the village’.

So here I am! And, when I’m not working, I can be found (as many of us can be) juggling swimming lessons, dance lessons, soft play etc. Mainly being Mummy.

Matt McDonnell

Lesley Pennington

I became a staff governor at Whiteley many years ago, as I wanted to have a better insight into how the school was run. Since my appointment as Deputy Headteacher in 2003, and subsequent appointment as Headteacher in 2011, I have come to greatly value the contribution of governors to our school and I realise how fortunate we are to have such active governors at Whiteley Primary School who are well-equipped to support and challenge the staff in their strategic role.  My daughter, Emily, was born in 2008 and she helps me to keep a work-life balance – especially as I am starting to realise that I am no longer just a mum to her, but also her taxi driver! When I do get some spare time, I like nothing better than to indulge my love for singing, although I have also discovered a ‘tolerance’ of running and enjoy an occasional park run to prove to myself that I can manage 5K.

Sarah Philip

I grew up in the local area and have lived in Whiteley since 2010. My twins have just started in Reception year at Whiteley Primary School, so this is an exciting period for our family.

Before having children, I worked for IBM, and then Specsavers within busy IT Programme Office and Service teams. One of my main areas of responsibility was the coordination of the IT Governance processes. I’m delighted to now be supporting the school Governors in the important Clerk role, joining in November 2020. Lending my experience whilst having the opportunity to get to know the school better. I have always found Whiteley to be a fantastic place to live, so having an opportunity to add value to our school and community appeals both professionally and personally. I enjoy spending time with my family, taking many trips to the zoo or farm with our young children or going on local walks. When time allows, I enjoy going to the gym and attending spin classes.

Ben Robertson

Our family of three moved to Whiteley from Southampton in 2016, and have since expanded to four. I became a Governor by responding to a request from our local Councillor on Facebook, looking for someone with IT knowledge to join the team. I’ve worked in IT since the early 2000s for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (based overseas), the NHS, Southampton City Council and private companies across Hampshire. As the LA-appointed Governor I work closely with the school to ensure the IT budget is spent effectively. I look forward to learning more about the resources side of Governance and completing training to be able to help with matters other than IT in the future.

Donna Savage

I work as a Teaching Assistant in KS2 and the staff governor representative. After my two children passed through the school the opportunity arose for me to take on the this role. This enabled me to learn more about how the school is run and to support the school and the community of Whiteley in its future development.

Claire Salmon

I was really keen to join the governing body in 2017. I have always had a passion for education and life long learning so following the completion of my Science degree with the Open University, I had time and enthusiasm to dedicate to the role.

Having previously worked in a primary school, I had an understanding of the commitment required and felt this would be a great opportunity to utilise some of my more professional skills alongside my current day job as a mum before possibly pursuing a career in teaching in the future.

It has been great to be more involved with our excellent local school and I now have a better understanding of how the school operates and how it encourages all pupils to achieve their very best. My daughter is thriving at the school and hopefully my son will start later this year.

Tom Southall

I have been living with my wife and our three wonderful boys in the Whiteley community since 2006. When I’m not working, playing with the boys, or doing DIY I enjoy running and cycling, and can often be found running the trails of Whiteley woods. Living in such a fantastic community I quickly felt that I would like to give a little back, and with all three of my boys attending Whiteley Primary becoming a Governor seemed a great way to contribute towards shaping the future for not only my own children but all the children in the local area. So here I am! I have been a Governor since 2014 and it is a role I have found to be hugely enjoyable and very rewarding.