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

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

Responsibilities: Pupil Premium & Foundation Subjects

Dr Jeffery Quaye OBE

Co-Opted Governor

Term of office: 13/01/2025 – 12/01/2029

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 External Reference Group Member - May 2024

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 - Liveryman - September 2018 - Present

Responsibilities: SEND & Maths

Jo Read

Staff Governor

Term of office: 06/11/2024 - 05/11/2028

Business / Personal Interest:

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

Responsibilities: Safeguarding

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 and Attendance

Ross Lawson

Co-opted Governor

Term of office: 01/02/2024 - 31/01/2028

Business / Personal Interest:

Responsibilities:

Thanks to Governors who have served over the last 12 months

Joanna Lawrence - February 2024

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: