Governors & Members
‘Governance is strong.’ OFSTED – Nov 17
Governors come from a variety of different backgrounds, reflecting the many interest groups in our school, but they have one important thing in common. They are dedicated to ensuring that the children in the school have the best education possible. This is the primary focus of all governors.
A school’s governing body comprises of Parent Governors, Staff Governors and Co-opted Governors. The full governing body usually meets three times a year, with additional meetings called when necessary.
Becoming a Parent Governor is open to all parents or carers of children within the school. When a vacancy arises elections are held to select a new governor, who would hold office for four years. Induction training, for new governors, is essential. Additional training to gain specific knowledge and skills is also available, at no charge.
Wentworth Primary School governors have a wide range of experience, knowledge and competences working effectively as a team making corporate decisions.
Although the work of the governing body is voluntary, it has many responsibilities but in general, it is there to set the policy framework for the school and to monitor the implementation as managed and carried out by the Headteacher and staff. They play a strategic role in the leadership and management of the school. They delegate organisational responsibilities to the school leadership team. This is made up of the Headteacher, Deputy Headteacher and members of the Senior Leadership Team.
Governors hold formal full board meetings three times a year and an Annual General Meeting with the Members. In addition, governors have sub-committees that monitor school planning, process and performance in curriculum, personnel, finance and premises.
Governors involve themselves wherever possible in all aspects of school life. They visit the school formally and informally, supporting children’s learning and working collaboratively with all staff, to enrich the opportunities that we provide.
As the governors and strategic managers of the school, they keep themselves informed of government initiatives and their implications for the school. The close practical working arrangements developed between governors and the leadership team are essential in maintaining Wentworth as a highly achieving school that we can all be proud of.
Val Churchill
Chair of Governing Body
Co-Opted Governor
Term of office: 07/07/2021 - 06/07/2025
Business / Personal Interest: Employed by London Borough of Bexley in Governor
Services - January 2013 - Present
Chair of Governors Orchard Primary School - September 2021 - Present
Committees: Finance, Audit and Risk,
Curriculum and Personnel, Pay Committee, Headteacher Review Panel
Responsibilities: Safeguarding, SEND, Data Analysis, Science
Dr Jeffrey Quaye OBE
Co-Opted Governor
Term of office: 13/01/2021 – 12/01/2025
Business / Personal Interest:
Aspirations Academies Trust - National Director of Education and Standards - September 2018
Coventry University External Examiner -
August 2022 - Present
Royal Docks Academy Secondary School Trust
Governor - January 2019 - Present
BMAT Trust Multi-Academy Trust Standards
Committee Member - February 2020 - Present
Ofqual Government Body External Expert -
May 2020 - Present
Ofsted Government Body Ofsted Inspector -
October 2012 - Present
Department for Education Government
Department Advisor - September 2017 -
Present
University of Oxford External Examiner -
March 2020 - Present
Worshipful Company of Educators Education
Changing Lives Learning - Trustee - September 2023 - Present
Committees: Curriculum and Personnel
Responsibilities: Curriculum, data analysis,
Maths
Giles Swan
Associate Governor
Term of office: 23/10/2019 – 22/10/2023
Business / Personal Interest: Employed as a
director of global funds policy by the Investment Company Institute - no shareholding and not a
Director of any UK entity - January 2012
Director and 50% shareholder in Swan Global
Services Ltd (CRN: 11580920), a company providing higher education services, none of which relate to primary or secondary schools in the UK - September 2018
Institute of Banking - September 201
Committees:
Responsibilities:
Gemma Simcock
Staff Governor
Term of office: 01/09/2022 - 31/08/2026
Business / Personal Interest:
Committees: Curriculum and Personnel,
Finance, Audit and Risk
Responsibilities:
Trudi Franklin
Co-opted Governor
Term of office: 01/09/2022 - 31/08/2026
Business / Personal Interest:
Committees: Curriculum and Personnel
Responsibilities: Curriculum, English
Jennifer Magness
Co-opted Governor
Term of office: 01/09/2023 - 30/08/2027
Business / Personal Interest: Employee of Save the Children - February 2016-Present
Committees:
Responsibilities:
Clerk to Governors
Bexley Clerking Services
Lewis Pollock
Headteacher
Term of office: 01/04/2022 – 31/03/2026
Business / Personal Interest: None
Committees: Finance, Audit and Risk,
Curriculum and Personnel
Responsibilities: Headteacher
David Harrington
Staff Governor
Term of office: 04/05/21-03/05/25
Business / Personal Interest: None
Committees: Curriculum and Personnel,
Finance, Audit and Risk
Responsibilities:
Stephen Patterson
Parent Governor
Term of office: 01/11/2021 - 31/10/2025
Business / Personal Interest: Spouse is an
employee at Wentworth Primary School
Committees: Curriculum and Personnel
Responsibilities: Safeguarding
Nicki Webb
Co-opted Governor
Term of office: 07/12/2022 - 06/12/2026
Business / Personal Interest: KCC Early Help Worker - December 2018
Committees: Curriculum and Personnel
Responsibilities: Early Years
Ross Lawson
Co-opted Governor
Term of office: 01.02.2024 - 31/01/2028
Business / Personal Interest:
Committees:
Responsibilities:
Thanks to Governors who have served over the last 12 months
Joanna Lawrence - February 2024
Address for correspondence for Chair of Governors:
Mrs. V. Churchill
Wentworth Primary School
Wentwworth Drive
DA1 3NG