Governors & Members
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
Co-Chair of Governing Body
Co-Opted Governor
Term of office: 09/07/2025 - 08/07/2029
Business / Personal Interest: Employed by London Borough of Bexley in Governor
Services - January 2013 - Present
Chair of Governors Orchard Primary School - September 2021 - Present
Responsibilities: Foundation & Pupil Premium
Lewis Pollock
Headteacher
Term of office: 06/10/2021 – 05/10/2025
Business / Personal Interest: None
Responsibilities: Headteacher
David Harrington
Staff Governor
Term of office: 16/05/25-15/05/29
Business / Personal Interest: Vice Chair/ Co-opted Governor at Valley Invicta Primary School Aylesford - January 2024 - Present
Responsibilities:
Giles Swan
Associate Governor
Term of office: 06/09/2023 – 05/09/2027
Business / Personal Interest: Englebert Ltd -
Director of a UK authorised financial services business undertaking various investment activities - 1 April 2024
BC Operations Ltd - Director of the UK operating entity of a digital asset service provider - 8 February 2014
Swan Global Services Ltd - Director of a UK business advisory and consulting firm - 21 September 2018
Blockchain (LT) UAB - Director-designate of a Lithuanian virtual asset service provider - December 2024
ZSI Management Company Ltd - Director-designate of a Guernsey domiciled fund management company - December 2024
Wentworth Primary School - Director of a single academy primary trust - 22 October 2015
Institute of Bankers - Associate faculty and academic programme director for an Irish based recognised college of University College Dublin - September 2019
Responsibilities:
Nicki Webb
Co-opted Governor
Term of office: 03/01/2023 - 02/01/2027
Business / Personal Interest: KCC Early Help Worker - December 2018
Responsibilities: Early Years, Behaviour & Attendance
Ross Lawson
Co-opted Governor
Term of office: 01/02/2024 - 31/01/2028
Business / Personal Interest:
Responsibilities: Finance
Thanks to Governors who have served over the last 12 months
Stephen Patterson - October 2025
Gemma Simcock
Co-Chair of Governing Board
Co-Opted Governor
Term of office: 18/09/2024 - 17/09/2028
Business / Personal Interest: Employed by London Borough of Southwark - Southwark Virtual
Responsibilities: Health & Safety
Dr Jeffery Quaye OBE
Vice Chair
Co-Opted Governor
Term of office: 13/01/2025 – 12/01/2029
Business / Personal Interest:
BMAT Trust - Trustee - February 2020
Aspirations Academies Trust - Director of Education and Quality - September 2018
Royal Docks Academy Secondary School - Trust Governor - January 2019 - Present
OFSTED - Member of External Reference Group - Education - September 2018 - Present
OFQUAL - External Expert - May 2020 - Present
DfE (UK Government) - Advisor - September 2017
University of Oxford - External Examiner - March 2020
Coventry University - Chief External Examiner - August 2022
Worshipful Company of Educators - Liveryman - September 2018
Responsibilities: Maths & SEND
Jo Read
Staff Governor
Term of office: 06/11/2024 - 05/11/2028
Business / Personal Interest:
Responsibilities:
.
Parent Governor
Term of office:
Business / Personal Interest:
Responsibilities:
Trudi Franklin
Co-opted Governor
Term of office: 12/09/2022 - 11/09/2026
Business / Personal Interest:
Responsibilities: English, Personal Development & Wellbeing
Jennifer Magness
Co-opted Governor
Term of office: 01/09/2023 - 30/08/2027
Business / Personal Interest: Education Endowment Foundation - 6 January 2025
Responsibilities: Parental Engagement
Clerk to Governors
Bexley Clerking Services
Address for correspondence for Chair of Governors:
Mrs. V. Churchill
Wentworth Primary School
Wentwworth Drive
DA1 3NG