Who are our Governors?

Chair: John Moffat

Foundation Governor

I have been a member/chair of various Governing bodies in West Cumbria since 2005. I am also a National Leader in Governance.

 In my day job I am a Control Systems engineer at Sellafield, where I have worked since I left school in 1990. I use my engineering knowledge to provide the schools with expertise in IT and knowledge of governance to support wherever I can.

Date of appointment and term of office: 19th November 2020 (4 year term)

Responsibilities: Safeguarding, Mental Health and wellbeing, finance

Full governors meetings attended 23/24: 2/2

Vice Chair: Gail Hutchison

Parent Governor

I am one of the Parent Governors at Waberthwaite School and currently hold the role as Vice Chair. I have two boys (one of whom is still at Waberthwaite) and I want to do my bit to help all the children in the school to reach their full potential. I am employed as an Account Manager for The Outward Bound Trust who are an educational charity delivering learning and development programmes for individuals, schools and early careers students using the outdoors as our classroom. I want to focus on collaboration and openness between parents, staff and the Governing Body to ensure the best possible start in life for our children.

Date of appointment and term of office: 30th January 2022 (4 year term)

Full governors meetings attended 23/24: 1/1

Sandra Cummings

Head Teacher

Responsibilities: Head Teacher, Designated Safeguarding Lead, Class 3 Teacher

Date of appointment and term of office: Ex-officio

Full governors meetings attended 23/24: 2/2

Amanda Lowe

Staff Governor

Responsibilities: Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, Class 2 Teacher, EYFS Governor

Date of appointment and term of office:  3rd March 2023 (4 year term)

Full governors meetings attended 23/24: 2/2

Georgina Mawson

Foundation Governor

I joined as a Foundation Governor at Waberthwaite School in Autumn 2020 after my daughter started attending the school. I now have both my children attending the school. 

As a teacher myself working in specialist settings, working with young people with special educational needs since 2010, I was keen to use my knowledge and understanding to support Waberthwaite School as the SEND and Pupil Premium governor. 

I was intrigued to use my expertise to support Waberthwaite School to ensure the SEN needs of young people are being met. 

I thoroughly enjoy my supportive role as a governor and getting the opportunity to hear about how Waberthwaite School is an inclusive school for all young people where they can grow as part of a supportive community.

Date of appointment and term of office: 19th November 2020  (4 year term)

Responsibilities: Special Educational Needs and Pupil Premium

Full governors meetings attended 23/24: 1/2

Ryan Carter

Foundation Governor

I joined the Governors when there was a request for volunteers as I have two young children who will both be attending the school. I want to help support the school so along with their friends they get the best opportunities.

Date of appointment and term of office: 18th February 2021  (4 year term)

Responsibilities: Website

Full governors meetings attended 23/24: 2/2

Yvonne Hey

Clerk to the Governors

Paul Turner

Local Authority Governor

I was very pleased to be asked by Keith Hitchin if I would consider going on the Governors Board as he was retiring. I visited the school and was immediately taken by the family atmosphere and the lovely polite children. It was enlightening to hear what the school achieves  and now after being involved see what it achieves. I want to play my part in helping the school keep up its standards and improve. It was good to see the recent Ofsted report and interesting to see it. A little about me, I moved to West Cumbria from my home in Barrow in 1979 when I was sent to my first posting as a Police Officer to Whitehaven. All my career was spent in West Cumbria with occasional postings to Penrith on project work, my specialist roles included Command and Control(control room) working. Since retirement in 2008 I was National Chairman of the UK,s largest Motorcycle Riders Rights Organisation, standing down after 3 years then three years as Director of MAG. I became the County Councillor for Gosforth, Seascale and Thornhill two years ago and have never stopped and love every minute of it.Married with two grown up sons and a step grandson 14 and a grandson aged 11.

Date of appointment and term of office: 28th January 2020 (4 year term)

Responsibilities: Health and safety

We were deeply saddened by the loss of Paul in August 2023.