GOVERNORS' SECTION
Sarah Merewood - Chair of Governors
I have been Chair of Governors at Wickham since July 2017. I originally joined as a Parent Governor in 2015 when my son was in Year 1, and now my daughter also attends the school. I am a resident in Knowle so have an awareness of the local area and all stakeholders in the community.
I wanted to be a governor to make a difference to the life chances of the children that attend the school, using my professional experiences and skill set to support the development of the school. It is a privilege to have this role and work with the school staff, children and parents to enhance learning opportunities and create a thriving environment. I am excited about the journey the school is on and enjoy seeing the positive outcomes for the school community.
Graham Cutter - Head Teacher
I qualified as a teacher in 2001 and joined Wickham Primary School in January 2020, following five years in post as the headteacher at another local school, where I also served on the governing body. I am extremely passionate about teaching and learning and have the highest of expectations of both pupils and staff. I believe that a strong relationship with all stakeholders is central to a school’s success and I enjoy working in close partnership with all involved in the education of our children.
Loren Way - Deputy Teacher
I joined the school in 2015 as Deputy Headteacher. I have a passion for teaching and learning, currently teaching Upper Key stage 2. Alongside the Headteacher, I have responsibility for supporting school improvement. A specific focus of mine is ensuring our curriculum is challenging, exciting and that it provides the children we teach with the skills they need to be successful when they leave Wickham Church of England Primary School. During my time at Wickham, I have also lead English and Math, developing the English and Math curriculums so they are of high quality. I also lead many aspects of pastoral care such as school council, church events and transition to ensure our children go on to be successful members of the community they live in.
Richard Melly - Chair of Resource Committee
After a full career in the Royal Navy, followed by a decade working in the City of London, I retired in 2016. Since then, I have taken on a number of commitments both as a Trustee and, in the case of the School, as a Governor. With relevant experience in project management, finance and human resources, I have the time to devote to the School's affairs and very much enjoy my involvement. I am married to an ex-teacher and have two grown up daughters, one of whom is a primary school teacher.
Sabrina Gwynn
Having graduated from Bristol University with a Maths degree I served as a Police Officer in Warwickshire for five years until I married and moved to Hampshire. I was then a Business Analyst at IBM for a few years before my two children came along. When they had both started school I joined the family firm A.E.Roberts Ltd, grower of fruit trees and soft fruit bushes then based in Wickham, and took over responsibility for Finance and Human Resources.
I sing in the choir at St Nicholas Church, Wickham, and I am also a member of the Parochial Church Council. When a vacancy arose in 2011, I agreed to become a Foundation Governor as I was keen to do more for the community and to promote the relationship between church and school. Most of the time my children were at school things seemed to happen seamlessly and I did not appreciate how much went on behind the scenes involving staff and governors. I am full of admiration for teachers and support staff and as a governor I want to do all that I can to enable the children to get the best possible education and to demonstrate the school’s Christian Values.
Janet Sinclair
I was in the teaching profession as a primary school teacher until I retired several years ago. Soon after, I was approached by the chair of governors of Wickham Primary who asked me to join the governing body. I was delighted as I was already missing being involved with schools, especially the children. I am enjoying the role of governor immensely.
Jane Isaac
I’m a foundation governor appointed by the Church, and I’m the parish priest in Wickham. My formal name is ‘Rector of Wickham’! It is a great privilege and pleasure to be able to welcome school to St Nicholas Church for special services and on Sundays too, and one of the things I enjoy most about being Rector is that I’m able to share in collective worship in school too, along with Revd Juliet and Revd Ruth. I also look after St John the Baptist Church in Shedfield and enjoy helping to care for another school community there: St John the Baptist Primary School in Waltham Chase. I moved to Wickham in 2017 from the Isle of Wight, and it’s great to be living in a village where people are so committed to helping each other learn and grow in love, courage, and respect. As the priest on the governing body, I hope to support the school in drawing on our Christian tradition and offering the best we are for the whole community.
Dean Searley - Chair of Achievements Committee
I am a recent addition to the Wickham Governing Body, joining as a parent Governor in April 2019.
As an Assistant Headteacher at a large Secondary School in Gosport I have knowledge of Education Post 11 years old wanted to bring some of that experience to the Governing Body.
I have two children who are pupils at the school and I am passionate about the education they receive and want to try to support the School to be an Outstanding place of learning which ensures every child can be the very best they can be both academically and holistically.
If you see me in the School playground please do say hello!
Anna Pink
I became a parent governor in 2020 as I am passionate about education. I currently work for an exam board but have an education background working in teaching and learning support roles, at both primary and secondary schools. I sit on the Resources Committee, we meet to discuss the school finances, scrutinising the budget and the monies spent over the course of the year. Well-being of both staff and pupils is a key priority at Wickham and I have been appointed as a governor to liaise with key staff.
Craig Manuel
I am the local authority school governor nominated by Hampshire County Council and appointed by the governing body. Whilst I need to have a good awareness and understanding of council priorities and policies, my real purpose of becoming a governor is to ensure every child who attends Wickham Primary receives the very best education and has an enjoyable school experience.
I have lived in Wickham Parish for over 20 years and previously had 2 children attend the school. I am a current Wickham Parish councillor and a Hampshire foster career. Hopefully many parents will already know me from around the village!
It is a pleasure to be a governor of Wickham Primary and it’s been very exciting to see all the improvements made by the new head teacher.
Sarah George
After a career in banking, I joined the teaching profession nearly twenty years ago. As a Primary specialist, I have worked in the Early Years and Foundation Stage, as well as Key Stages 1 and 2; I also have experience of senior management responsibilities. As a governor, I enjoy using my professional background to support the School and I have specific oversight of safeguarding matters.
Ailsa Cox
I have worked within mental health services for the NHS for 15 years, in both clinical and managerial positions. I have a special interest in how our early experiences shape our mental health in later years.
Kathryn Holladay
I am a new arrival to the Governing Body, having started in 2022 although I have lived in the village for 16 years. My career has been in education, mainly at secondary level, but I have had teaching and leadership experience in a variety of schools. I look forward to using my skills to benefit the education and positive development of pupils at the school. I have already been impressed by the dedication, professionalism, and commitment of the staff as well as the support and encouragement given to the pupils.
Chris Norgate
I'm a serving firefighter and co-responder for the ambulance service. I have qualifications in risk assessment, first aid and trauma care, special needs, early childhood development and nursery nursing. In 2021 I was awarded 'Freedom of the City' by Portsmouth City Council for my work during the Covid-19 pandemic.
My children have all attended Wickham Church of England Primary School, just as my brothers and I before them, so I know the school and its history well. I volunteered as a governor to help with the future of the school, the children and our community.
Meeting Information
The Full Governing Body, chaired by Sarah Merewood, meets twice each term.
The Full Governing Body has established two supporting committees, which undertake much of the detailed work of the Governing Body and report to the Full Governing Body:
The Achievement Committee is chaired by Dean Searley and meets once each term.
The Resources Committee is chaired by Richard Melly and meets twice each term.
Full governing body and committee minutes are in the public domain. The minutes of a particular meeting can be obtained by contacting the school office.
Governing Body Members
Wickham Church of England Primary School has 14 governors, consisting of:
- 4 Foundation Governors
- 5 Co-opted Governors
- 2 Parent Governors
- 1 Local Authority Governor
- 1 Headteacher
- 1 Staff Governor
We can be contacted via the school office or by email:
The Role of a Governor:
Our role is to support the head teacher and the staff in providing the best possible educational environment for the children at our school. We have the responsibility for the school overall strategic direction, specifically:
- To ensure clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
- To hold the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the performance management of staff
- To oversee the financial performance of the school and make sure its money is well spent
We also carry out a number of other important duties, which include:
- Determining how the school's budget is spent
- The appointing and dismissing of staff
- Hearing appeals and grievances
- Forming policy on the school's curriculum and collective worship
- Setting standards for pupils' behaviour and discipline
- Making sure school buildings are welcoming and safe
- Setting and monitoring the school's aims and policies
- We ensure the school provides for ALL pupils
- We ensure that the National Curriculum is taught
- We contribute to how the school can encourage pupils spiritual, moral and cultural development
Term and Appointment
Governors at Wickham Church of England Primary are appointed for a 4 year term. Each category of governor is appointed in a different way:
Parent Governors: Parents will receive a letter when a vacancy arises inviting nominations. Where there are more parents wishing to serve as governors than vacancies, an election is held. If there are fewer parents than vacancies, parents can be elected unopposed.
Headteacher: The Headteacher is a member of the Governing Body by virtue of her position.
Staff Governors: The staff governor is elected by the school staff – any election which is contested must be held by ballot.
Authority Governors: Nominated by the Local Authority and appointed by the Governing Body. Appointments are made on the basis of the individual’s interests and experience at work, home or elsewhere which may be relevant to being a governor.
Co-opted Governors: Appointed by the Governing Body. Appointments are made taking into account the skills required to contribute to the effective governance and success of the school.
Foundation Governors: Appointed by the Diocese.
Governing Body Membership and Meeting Appointments: gb-membership-and-allocations
HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL
INSTRUMENT OF GOVERNMENT (VARIATION)
1. The name of the school is Wickham Church of England Primary School
2. The school is a voluntary controlled school
3. There is a Trust Deed for the school dated 1868
4. Recognising its historic foundation, the school will preserve and develop its religious character in accordance with the principles of the Church of England and in partnership with the Church at parish and diocesan level.
The school aims to serve its community by providing an education of the highest quality within the context of Christian belief and practice. It encourages an understanding of the meaning and significance of faith and promotes Christian values through the experience it offers to all its pupils.
You don't have to have children at the school to be a governor. However, you do have to be over 18, and pass a formal check for your suitability to be within a school. No specific qualifications are required but there are certain expectations. Governors attend regular training sessions to help keep up to date with changes in educational policies and the law. What's really important is that you have energy, enthusiasm, time and a real desire to help provide children with the best possible education.
Governors come from all sections of the community, and all walks of life. They can be parents, staff at the school, residents’ in the locality or representatives of local churches or businesses. It is important that you can work as part of a team, and can give commitment to the school.
If you think you have what it takes to be a school governor there are a number of ways of finding schools that have vacancies:
- You can contact your local school to ask if they need a new governor
- You can contact SGOSS - Governors for Schools, which recruits Governors nationally
- You can contact your local council
- You can use the inspiring the future website
Wickham Church of England Primary School, Buddens Road, Wickham, Hampshire, PO17 5HU
01329 833065
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