Governors

Annual Governance Statement for the Governing Board of Whitwell Primary School 2024/25

In accordance with the Government’s requirement for all governing boards, the three core strategic functions of Whitwell Primary School Governing Board are:

1. Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction.
2. Holding the Headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils.
3. Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.

Strategic Vision

Whitwell Primary School Governing Board’s vision is that every child attending Whitwell Primary School has full and equal access to learning and holistic development as a young person in a safe, secure and positive environment where they feel valued. As a consequence, they will leave the school as a well-rounded individual prepared for the next phase in their life.

Governance arrangements

The Governing Board of Whitwell Primary School is made up of 15 governors.

The Board has a programme of meetings throughout the school year, and two committees which focus on school improvement and resource management.

The skills required to contribute to effective governance and the success of the school are a knowledge/experience of, or a willingness to undertake training on, human resources, financial and premises management, health and safety, safeguarding, special needs and matters relating to teaching and learning and pupil attainment.

Attendance record of governors

A record is kept by the Clerk to the Governing Board of governors’ attendance at meetings, details of attendance can be found on the next page.

50% of the current membership must be present at full meetings of the Governing Board to ensure that decisions can be made.

The work we have done on our meetings and other activities:

• Monitored pupil progress, including disadvantaged pupils
• Monitored progress of the school against the School Improvement Plan
• Assisted the Senior Leadership Team in monitoring the school’s finances
• Taken part in school visits to validate the school’s self-evaluation
• Undertaken regular reviews of policies and procedures
• Assisted the Senior Leadership Team in staff recruitment as required

Strategic Planning for the future

The Governing Board’s planned priorities mirror those outlined in the School Improvement Plan thereby ensuring that there are sufficient resources, both human and physical, to provide for the educational needs of the school and the community it serves.

Tom Munro

Chair of Governors

Member of the Resources Committee and the School Improvement Committee

My wife and I, along with our baby daughter, moved to the Whitwell in 1976 and I became a governor of Whitwell School in 1978.  Since then my involvement with the school has included being Chair of FWPS for several years and all four of our children attended the school between 1980 and 1995.  I have been Chair of Governors since September 2012, a role which I am finding very interesting and rewarding as it gives me the opportunity to continue to play a significant role in the school’s success.

Frank Raspin

Member of the Resources Committee

Having moved to Whitwell in 1986 our oldest daughter attended Whitwell Primary School before moving up to Heritage Community School. Subsequently, our other two children also attended the school.  I have been a member of the Governing Board for many years and have seen lots of changes to Education Policy. Throughout those changes all at Whitwell Primary School have strived to give each child the best start to their education.

Louise Patterson

Member of the School Improvement Committee

I first became a member of the Governing Board as a parent governor in 1996 when our two daughters were pupils at the school.  I am also a governor at Heritage Community School which enables me to contribute the secondary perspective to discussion at governors’ meetings.  My occasional work as a supply teacher at the school has given me the opportunity to become part of the school team.  I believe that my professional experience, both as a teacher and a denominational inspector for the Church of England, has given me the skills to fulfil the role of a school governor.

Jeanne Raspin

Chair of the School Improvement Committee

Our family have lived in Whitwell since 1986. I worked at Whitwell Primary School for over two years as a Welfare Assistant before leaving to bring up our three children who all attended the school. I have been a governor for most of the 30+ years I have lived in Whitwell, and have always found it interesting and rewarding. I have been a volunteer at the school for many years.

Karen Austin

Member of the Resources Committees

After many years living in Whitwell, I was co-opted as a governor in September 2014.  Throughout my time in this role I have developed a great appreciation for the work involved in working at and running a school.  As a governor, I attend full board and committee meetings and have taken on specific monitoring roles.  I endeavour to support the school community in ensuring the best for all pupils. 

Charlotte Ellis

Parent of one child in school.

Claire Shaw

I am an experienced nurse, managing a team of community staff members in delivering high standard evidence-based care.  I have recently returned to education as I believe that education is fundamental and should be a constant in everyone's life.  As a family we are involved with the local cricket club, dance clubs and gymnastics, which is another key element to child development.

Sarah Morton

Member of the Resources Committee

I have lived in Whitwell for most of my life, attending Whitwell Primary School as a child.  My daughter has been in the school since Nursery.  I am a First Aid Trainer in my professional life but I also volunteer for quite a few events and groups within the village, including the Scout and Guide group and village dancing school. 

Ryan Stacey

Member of the School Improvement Committee

I have worked in education for 13 years and currently hold the post of Head of Music at The Bolsover School.  As a middle leader within the school I am responsible for teaching and learning development and continuing professional development and I am studying for a master's degree in this area.  I hold close links with the village through my son being a pupil at the school and my involvement with Whitwell Brass Band.  I am passionate about working as part of the Governing Board and helping the school achieve its goals.

Adele Webster

Member of the School Improvement Committee

I have lived in Whitwell all my life and love the village. I have been teaching for 27 years. Happily, all that time has been at Whitwell Primary School. I have taught from Year 1 through to Year 6 and am currently teaching in Year 3/4. I have been a governor on two occasions. My specialities are RE, SMSC and Maths, although I also have a passion for History and Art.

Sarah Draycott

Member of the Resources Committee

Before I was employed as a teacher at the school, I was a parent governor from November 2004 as my two daughters were pupils at the school.  Being part of the school community, not only as a teacher and parent, but also as a governor, is very important to me and is a role that I am happy to fulfil.

Sarah Tomlinson

Headteacher

I am delighted to be Headteacher of Whitwell Primary School. I joined the school in 2015 as Deputy Headteacher and am proud to have been part of the Senior Leadership Team, improving standards in English and Maths, teaching Y5/6 and fulfilling all areas of the role.  I have been a member of the Governing Board since 2015 and served on the School Improvement Committee and the Resources Committee, as well as attending full board meetings. We work together for the best interests of the children and families of Whitwell!

Karen Sleight

Member of the School Improvement Committee

I started work at the school as a Nursery Nurse in 1988 when the Nursery first opened.  After 17 years I went on to train as Learning Mentor and later gained a degree in Early Years.  More recently I successfully qualified as a teacher and was appointed full-time teacher at the school in 2012.  I joined the Governing Board in October 2002 and have always tried to contribute to debate from a staff perspective.

Geoff Walker

Vice-Chair of Governors

Chair of the Resources Committee

I have lived in Whitwell most of my life and could not imagine wanting to live anywhere else. I worked in Local Government, most of the time being in this area, and was lucky enough to have been supported to become a qualified accountant. I attended Whitwell Junior School myself and want to use the skills I have developed to help the children that attend the school to achieve the best they can.

Tim Stirling

Deputy Headteacher

I have worked at Whitwell Primary School since 2010 and in that time held many different positions. More recently I have been appointed Deputy Headteacher and in turn co-opted as a governor. Both roles I am extremely looking forward to getting to know and I feel complement each other. Outside of school I am proud father of one, allotment holder and keen DIYer.  

Diana Munro

Clerk to Governors

I have been Clerk to Governors since September 1988. My role is not only to take the minutes, but also to ensure that governors have all the paperwork they need and to advise them on their duties.  Over the years I have also worked as Clerk to Governors for various other schools in the area and I have attended briefings and training to ensure that I am up to date as regards any changes to legislation and education policy.