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
Committees: Finance, Audit and Risk,
Curriculum and Personnel, Pay Committee, Headteacher
Review Panel
Responsibilities: SEND, Data Analysis, Science
Jeffrey Quaye
Co-Opted Governor
Term of office: 13/01/2021 – 12/01/2025
Business / Personal Interest: National Director
of Education and Standards - Aspirations
Academies Trust - September 2018 - Present
Trust Governor - Royal Docks Academy - January
2019 - Present
Standards Committee Member - BMAT Trust -
February 2020 - Present
DfE Advisor - Department of Education -
September - 2017
Committees: Finance, Audit and Risk,
Curriculum and Personnel
Responsibilities: Curriculum, data analysis
Paul Langridge
Headteacher
Term of office: 01/09/2015 – 31/08/2023
Business / Personal Interest: Governor at Dartford Bridge Primary School
Committees: Finance, Audit and Risk,
Curriculum and Personnel
Responsibilities: Headteacher
Giles Swan
Vice Chair of Governing Body
Parent 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
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
Committees: Finance, Audit and Risk,
Curriculum and Personnel
Responsibilities: Pupil Premium, Sports Premium, Finance
James Coldwell
Co-opted Governor
Term of office: 24/09/2019 - 23/09/2023
Business / Personal Interest: None
Committees: Curriculum and Personnel
Responsibilities: Safeguarding, Wider
curriculum
Stephen Patterson
Parent Governor
Term of office: 01/11/2021 - 31/10/2025
Business / Personal Interest: None
Committees:
Responsibilities:
Clerk to Governors
Bexley Clerking Services
Ben Archibald
Co-Opted Governor
Term of office: 23/10/2019 – 22/10/2023
Business / Personal Interest: Spouse, Mrs N Archibald, is a Teacher at Wentworth Primary School
Committees: Finance, Audit and Risk,
Curriculum and Personnel
Responsibilities: Early Years, Safeguarding Review
David Harrington
Staff Governor
Term of office: 04/05/21-03/05/25
Business / Personal Interest: None
Committees:
Responsibilities:
Anthony Mayzes
Parent Governor
Term of office: 23/10/2019– 22/10/2023
Business / Personal Interest: None
Committees: Finance, Audit and Risk
Responsibilities: Premises, Health and Safety, Governor Training
Lewis Pollock
Staff Governor
Term of office: 12/10/21 – 11/10/2025
Business / Personal Interest: None
Committees: Finance, Audit and Risk,
Curriculum and Personnel
Responsibilities: Staff Governor
Joanna Lawrence
Parent Governor
Term of office: 24/02/2021 - 23/02/2025
Business / Personal Interest: Solicitor for
Thomas Boyd White and Facilities Manager
for the General Pharmaceutical Council
Committees:
Responsibilities:
Thanks to Governors who have served over the last 12 months
Kirsty Randall
End of term of office
08/03/21
Robert Lowrie
End of term of office
11/03/2021
Matthew Francis
End of term of office
07/07/2021
Address for correspondence for Chair of Governors:
Mrs. V. Churchill
Wentworth Primary School
Wentwworth Drive
DA1 3NG