Governors

Welcome to the Wilstead Primary School Governors Page

Our role

School governors play an important part in helping our school run effectively. They use their varied experience and knowledge to support the success and continual improvement of the school in three main ways:

1. Planning the school’s strategic direction
2. Making sure money is well spent by having oversight of the school’s financial performance
3. Holding the headteacher and school leadership accountable

The school governing board does not get involved in the day to day running of the school.

Each governor has specific responsibilities as part of a sub-committee looking at either:

1. Standards and School Improvement
2. Finance & Resources

Governors are either appointed to the role (Partnership, Co-opted, Local Authority), or elected from within the school community (Parent).

You can find more information on the role of school governors at https://governorsforschools.org.uk/

Parent Governors

Parent governors play an important part in the school governing body. They bring their skills and expertise to the group in the same way appointed governors do, as well as their perspective as parents.

If you are interested in becoming a parent governor, this document contains useful information to help you consider putting yourself forward.

Who we are and how we can help

If you would like to get in touch with a member of the school governance team, you can find more information here:

Lizzy Greaves                                 Co-Chair

Finance & Resources                    Standards & School Improvement          

lgreaves@wilstead.school          

I first became a parent governor in 2016 and soon after became Chair of Governors.  I became a partnership governor in 2020 and continue to co-chair alongside Louise Day.  I have a child at Wilstead Primary and a child who attended Wilstead Primary, and is now at Wixams Academy.  I have learnt so much from my role as governor - the role is one of huge responsibility but also one of huge reward. After over 4 years being involved in governance there are still plenty of opportunities to learn and develop within the role.  Aside from this role, and my other job of being a mum (which takes up most of my time), I also work in a Transport Logistics Department for a large retail organisation.  In my freetime, I enjoy spending precious moments with my family, particularly holidays - as a family we love time on the ski slopes and time by the sea.  I enjoy keeping fit and more recently have developed a new found love of open water swimming. 

Louise Day                                       Co-Chair

Standards & School Improvement (Acting Chair)

lday@wilstead.school

Hi my name is Louise, I have been a Governor at Wilstead since 2016 when my son joined the school. I am Wilstead born and bred, having lived in the village throughout my life, attended the school as a child and therefore have a real sense of community. I work in Education; Assistant Principal at a local school and have a keen interest in developing children's love of learning with a particular focus on Special Educational Needs and Safeguarding.  When not working I enjoy quality time with my family, baking, time outdoors and day trips and holidays away.

Caron Brown                                  Headteacher

Finance & Resources                    Standards & School Improvement          

cbrown@wilstead.school                  

I am Caron, the very fortunate Headteacher of this lovely school! I became Head here in April 2020, after spending many years working in Hertfordshire. I started my education career working with children with emotional and behavioural needs and I am a strong advocate for therapeutic approaches to education. I deeply believe that every child matters enormously. I live just 20 minutes away in Biggleswade with my partner Les and our 4 month old Labrador puppy, Nelson, who is shortly to begin his career as Wilstead's School Dog. I read a lot (much more during holidays!), love visiting European cities, art galleries and coffee shops and have always got time for a chat (especially if there's a coffee on offer too!).             

Nicola Webb                                  Co-opted Governor and Deputy Headteacher

Standards & School Improvement

nwebb@wilstead.school

Nicki joined the school as Deputy Headteacher in 2017, and has taught in Reception, Year 4 and Year 3 during her time at Wilstead.  She grew up in Malvern, Worcestershire, and lived in Cambridge and London before settling in Bedford.  Nicki is passionate about the importance of Early Years education, and in the vital role of play in building strong foundations for our children’s learning.  Nicki recently became Mummy to a little boy, and is enjoying the trials and tribulations of new parenthood.

Sheila Hale                                      Staff Governor                                  

Finance & Resources                          

shale@wilstead.school                             

I am proud to be the longest serving staff member and staff governor at Wilstead and have seen many changes over the years.I have always felt a strong sense of  'family' and feel we have an incredible supportive community at Wilstead. In my spare time I enjoy walking, running (slightly faster walking!), travelling (when permitted) and spending time with my family.

Rebecca May                                  Parent Governor

Standards & School Improvement

rmay@wilstead.school

Becky is a parent governor with children in year 3 and reception. Before her children were born, Becky was a teacher in a local lower school with leadership responsibilities and loves to use her previous experience to support Wilstead Primary. Nowadays, she works as a freelance writer and trainer and voluntarily helps to lead Wixams church, where she is responsible for Messy Church and Little Stars toddler group. Her favourite pastime is crafting and is learning to make clothes for her children.

Rebecca Coe                                  Local Authority Governor

Finance & Resources (Vice Chair)            

rcoe@wilstead.school

Becky has been a school governor at Wilstead for a couple of years and previously was a teacher governor at her own school.  She has two sons in Year 4 and Year 6.  Becky is a keen runner and you have probably seen her running the various routes local to the village.  By profession Becky is a Secondary school teacher specialising in the teaching of Classics and is also involved with the Cambridge University Initial Teacher Training Programme, giving her almost two decades of experience in the education sector.

Yvonne Hayes                                Parent Governor

Standards & School Improvement

yhayes@wilstead.school

Yvonne became a parent governor in 2020 and has a child in the Bumblebees reception class. She is originally from Perth in Australia, and misses the beach and warm weather. During business hours Yvonne works in Learning and Development, helping people to develop the skills they need to be their best at work. She firmly believes everyone has potential and is interested in the psychology of people: why we do what we do. Outside of this Yvonne is passionate about recycling, reusing, and repurposing. She loves to work on her allotment and spend time with her family.

Michael Hodges                              Parent Governor                   

Finance & Resources          

mhodges@wilstead.school      

Mike is a parent governor with his daughter now in year 5 having moved to the school just over two years ago. In terms of his day job, Mike is a qualified Chartered Surveyor and specialises in the healthcare sector working for a major international advisory practice where he leads the consultancy function. Away from work, Mike has a number of interests including running and enjoying family time where he also has an older daughter who turns 18 this year. Mike is proud to be a Parent Governor of this fantastic school and is keen to do all he can to help the school grow and prosper whilst being a voice for parents.                    

Matt Jones                              Parent Governor

mjones@wilstead.school

Matt Jones has a son currently in reception class and became a Governor in late 2020. Matt works in the Aerospace industry (which is nowhere near as fun as it sounds) in Purchasing, so is paid to shop. He is an avid Comic Book and movie fan, and pretends to have an interest in running, which is almost permanently on hold. Matt firmly believes in the value of Wilstead Primary and, alongside the rest of the Governing board, is committed to supporting the school, pupils, and all staff. 

Richard Walmsley                         Clerk

Richard.Walmsley@cambridgeshire.gov.uk

BEd (Hons)

MSc Education Management

40 years in the teaching profession with 23 years in school leadership

I am now retired from full time employment but as an ex-headteacher, both of schools in this country and in those supporting the British expatriate community as far afield as Kuwait and Indonesia, I have a wide experience of school education at various levels and contrasting contexts.  I have also worked as a side-line in radio and television; mainly in news-reading and providing voice-overs for documentaries and commercial advertisements.  I trust by bringing my interest and experience in school education to the role of Clerk I can support the governing body of Wilstead Primary in its important task of providing strategic direction for the school.

Apart from working with Cambridgeshire’s ‘CamClerks’ service, I am a Senior Marker for End-of Key Stage 2 Tests.

Governors who have stepped down.