Who are our Governors?
What we do...
Waberthwaite school governors are a voluntary body of people from all walks of life, each offering skills and experiences from their differing backgrounds. The key role of the governors is to provide strategic leadership and accountability to our school. Our main functions are to:
Set the aims and objectives for the school, as well as agreeing the school policies;
Manage the school budget and employ the school staff;
Monitor and evaluate the schools performance;
Support and challenge the Head teachers internal organisation and management of the school.
We meet around 6 times per year as a full Governing Body and have no committees due to our small number of Governors - all discussions take place at these meetings.
How we are organised...
As a voluntary aided church of England school, Waberthwaite's governing body is set by a legally binding constitution and is made up of twelve governors from four categories:
7 Foundation governors (nominated by the diocese) including an ex-officio foundation governor (local vicar);
2 Parent governors (nominated by the parent body);
1 Headteacher;
1 Staff governor;
1 Local authority governor;
The governing body also employs a Clerk.
How Do I Contact a Governor?
You can make contact with any Governor through the Clerk to the Governors.
privacy-notice-for-governors-v3-v3.docx
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: 21st October 2024 (4 year term)
Responsibilities: Safeguarding, Mental Health and wellbeing, finance
Full governors meetings attended 24-25: 2/2
Letter from John Moffat.pdfWaberthwaite_20240607_161703.pdf
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 24-25: 2/2
Waberthwaite_20241121_112928.pdf
Amanda Lowe
Staff Governor
Responsibilities: Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, Class 2 Teacher, EYFS Governor
Date of appointment and term of office: 16th April 2023 (4 year term)
Full governors meetings attended 24-25: 1/2
Waberthwaite_20240606_145923.pdf
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: 1st March 2021 (4 year term)
Responsibilities: Premises
Full governors meetings attended 24-25: 1/2
Ryan Carter - Business interests.pdfVice Chair: Artur Majchrowski
Foundation Governor
Having completed higher education and beginning my professional career in STEM, I have been able to draw from the experiences and knowledge of teachers, lecturers and other professionals. As a governor, I want to support the learning of all students and to aim for the highest quality of education.
Date of appointment and term of office: 12th September 2021 (4 year term)
Responsibilities: Finance
Full governors meetings attended 24-25: 2/2
Register of Business Interests 2024 Artur.pdf
Sarah Irving
Foundation Governor
I became a governor in order to support our local school as it is a valuable resource to the community.
Date of appointment and term of office: 23rd January 2024 (4 year term)
Responsibilities: School improvement priorities
Full governors meetings attended 24-25: 1/2
Waberthwaite_20241121_112649.pdf
Charlotte Hey
Foundation Governor
I have been connected with Waberthwaite since 2016 on and off, I first came in with work experience from West Lakes Academy, and also at my time at Cumbria University, when I finished Uni I started work on a fixed term basis as a TA, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
I left a few years ago and I am now an STA at Ennerdale CE Primary school, which is very similar in size and also Church of England.
In my 2 years in various other primary schools in Cumbria, I have learnt a lot and grown in confidence, but I have a “soft spot” for Waberthwaite, and I guess I always will, so being a Foundation Governor seemed a good fit, I hope to bring new ideas in, learn more from others and help the school flourish.
Date of appointment and term of office: 23rd January 2024 (4 year term)
Responsibilities: SEND and Pupil Premium
Full governors meetings attended 24-25: 2/2
Waberthwaite_20241121_114529.pdf
Mark Hamblett
Foundation Governor
I began teaching in rural Cumbria in 2002. Since then, I have taught throughout Lancashire and Cumbria and have been a headteacher since 2012. Currently I am the CEO of a Multi Academy Trust based in Blackpool. I have previously inspected schools under Section 48 (SIAMS) on behalf of the Church of England throughout the Blackburn Diocese and I am currently an associate school adviser for Carlisle Diocese. I love visiting different schools as part of this role – which is how I discovered the gem that is Waberthaite CE School. I am the Chair of Governors at St. Patrick's CofE Primary School, Kendal and I love supporting schools, however I can.
Outside the world of work, I am an ordained Elder and Lay Preacher at Kendal United Reformed Church (URC), where I worship. I love to exercise and if I’m not in the gym or out running, I can usually be found in village halls teaching Pilates and Zumba classes. I live with my husband Neil in Endmoor, we have a cat and a flock of hens.
Date of appointment and term of office: 12th June 2024 (4 year term)
Responsibilities: RE and SIAMS link
Full governors meetings attended: 24-25: 1/2
Waberthwaite_20241121_112743.pdf
Emma Groves
Parent Governor
I became a parent governor as I was keen to help support the staff and students in their exciting and ambitious plans for the school. After moving to the area from the south coast three years ago, it's also nice to feel I can give something back to the school who have been so welcoming to our family.
Date of appointment and term of office: 15th July 2024 (4 year term)
Responsibilities: Website
Full governors meetings attended: 24-25: 1/2
Waberthwaite_20241121_112731.pdfEllie O'Grady
Parent Governor
Date of appointment and term of office: (4 year term)
Responsibilities:
Full governors meetings attended: 24-25: 1/1
Yvonne Hey
Clerk to the Governors
Waberthwaite_20241121_114350.pdfRecently Retired School Governors
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)
Left office July 2024
Responsibilities: Special Educational Needs and Pupil Premium
Full governors meetings attended 23/24: 2/3
Waberthwaite_20240606_145953.pdf
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)
Left office July 2024
Full governors meetings attended 23/24: 2/3
Waberthwaite_20240606_145939.pdfIf you have any further queries, you can contact our school administrator, Mrs Yvonne Hey, in a number of ways.
Our postal address:Waberthwaite CE SchoolWaberthwaiteMillomCumbriaLA19 5YJ Telephone:01229717664 Email:admin@waberthwaite.cumbria.sch.ukPlease direct any queries relating to Special Educational Needs to: Miss Natalie Sharp (SENCO)