Listen up and speak out. Flourishing is not a solo endeavour!
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.
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
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
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
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: 4th March 2025 (4 year term)
Responsibilities: Premises
Full governors meetings attended 24-25: 1/2
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
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
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
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
Date of appointment and term of office: 10th January 2025 (4 year term)
Responsibilities:
Full governors meetings attended: 24-25: 1/2
Date of appointment and term of office: 8th March 2025 (Ex-officio)
Responsibilities: RE, collective worship
Full governors meetings attended: 24-25: 1/2
If 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.uk