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 Welcome to the meet the Governors webpage, from feedback which we received from parents and carers there seems to be little understanding as to the role of the governors and the governing body at Whitehouse Common Primary School. I hope that this page will help to increase that understanding. More information on the Governing Body is available via the FAQ's section
Rob Crosson. Chair of Governors The Governing Body at Whitehouse Common primary School is made up of members of the local and school community. There are 18 members on our governing Body. The governing body works closely with the Headteacher, who is responsible for the day to day management of the school. The governing body is part of the school leadership team, responsible for strategic planning and policy development. They work as a team to make sure the school provides a good quality education for all its pupils and we: - support the school, but not uncritically
- explain its policies to parents and the community
- help to settle its disputes, fairly and conscientiously
- oversee its policies and its use of resources and finances
The governors at Whitehouse Common Primary School work as an effective team, we get together as a full body for a meeting once a term and are also working with the school as either governors with defined responsibilities or as committee members. Committees The Governing Body operates 4 committees: - Finance, Personel, Staffing and Salaries. This committee helps to control the annual school budget which is in excess of £1million.
- Curriculum. This committee works with the heads of the curriculum areas and the teaching staff on standards of student achievement, teaching and learning including the provision of Special Educational Needs.
- Health and safety. Advises the governing body on general safety policies and recommends steps to be taken to ensure that everything feasible is done to promote the safety of staff, students and authorised visitors on the school premises, and that relevant legal obligations are complied with. .
- Happy Hometime Club. The not for profit Before and After school club.
Governors The governors at Whitehouse Common Primary School are as follows:
 Rob Crosson | Name: | Rob Crosson
| | Position: | Chair of Governing Body | | Committees: | Finance
| | | | | | This is my third year as a governor at Whitehouse Common. I serve on the Finance Committee and as Link Governor to the Newly Qualified Teachers (NQTs). I applied to the LEA to be a governor and was allocated to Whitehouse Common. I wanted to be a governor to return some of the support I received during my schooldays. I was also for the first time in my career able to commit the time to do something for the community. I am constantly amazed at the energy and enthusiasm the staff consistently demonstrate whilst facing the successive challenges that come with that shared vision of improving the experience of every single child during their time at Whitehouse Common. By day, I am an IT consultant in the hospitality industry. |
 | Name: | Mrs D Allen | | Position | Head Teacher | | | | Since commencing work at Whitehouse Common Primary School I have enjoyed working with all of the school community. Schools governors have gained an increasing degree of responsibility over the years and here, as in all schools, their role has become increasingly important as schools have gained more independence for their management from local authorities. The governors here take their great responsibility for the financial and staffing management of the school very seriously, and have a key role in setting strategic direction, ensuring accountability and acting as a critical friend to myself, the head teacher.
I have a range of experience in both business and education and enjoy working in our diverse community that enriches all our lives. For me, working with children, and for the future of our children is most purposeful and rewarding.
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 | Name: | Colin Philpott
| | Position: | Chair of Finance Committee, Link / Training Governor
| | Committees: | Finance
| | | | | | I became a LEA Governor in 2001 & was delighted to be allocated to Whitehouse Common Where both my children started their School days 25 years ago.WHC gave them a very good start & it is great to be part of the fast moving, hard working School of today. I am Chair of the Finance & Personnel Committee and my experience of working as an Accountant for B'ham Council is useful for making the most of the School budget and helping to plan for the futur |
 | Name: | Carol Duckworth
| | Position: | | | Committees: | Curriculum Happy Hometime Club
| | | | | | Awaiting Carols Biog |
 Kevin Ratcliffe | Name: | Kevin Ratcliffe
| | Position: | Chair of Health and Safety, Child Protection, Named Governor for Science
| | Committees: | Health and Safety
| | | | | | This is my sixth year as a Governor at Whitehouse Common, and during this ime I have worked on the Curriculum,Finance and Health and Safety
Committee. I now chair the latter. In addition, I am the Link Governor for cience and also for child protection. I continue to be impressed by the
enthusiasm and commitment of the staff at the school. I want to be able to upport what the school is aiming to achieve and to bring a parental
perspective to the decision making process. I am also very proud of the antastic reputation that the children at the school have in the community.
I am a community pharmacist by profession, but I have a number of additional oles including Consultant Pharmacist for Birmingham Drug and Alcohol Action
Team. I am also one of the Clinical Directors for Birmingham East & North Primary Care Trust. |
 | Name: | Simon Lowndes
| | Position: | Parent Governor SEN Named Governor Gifted and Talented Named Governor | | Committees: | Curriculum
| | | | | | Biog: Awaiting Information |
| Name: | Shafiq Ahmed | | Position: | Parent Governor | | Committees: | Health and Safety | | | | | | Biog: Awaiting Information |
| Name: Martine Cowdery | | Position: Staff Governor | | Committies: Finance | | I have been a support staff Governor for the last nine years, seeing through the amalgamation of the school in 2000. I am a member of the Health and Safety and SEN committees. Having worked in the education system for over twenty years I feel I have a wealth of experience to offer. Having recently gained H.L.T.A (Higher Level Teaching Assistant) status I now work throughout both key stage one and key stage two, but my heart lies with the Foundation Stage. I am in my final year of my BA Hons. Degree and hope to use the knowledge gained to enhance the children’s learning. |
 | Name: | Nigel marshall
| | Position: | Vice Chair of Governors Chair of Happy Hometime Club | | Committees: | Finance, Happy Hometime Club
| | | | | | I became a parent governor in July 2006. My oldest son was about to start year six and my youngest reception. Therefore I felt I had experience of school life at both ends of the spectrum and wanted to be more involved in the organisation of the school. I am a member of the Health and Safety Committee and the management committee of Happy Hometime Club. Outside of school I work as Finance Operations Manager for a local social housing authority. |
 | Name: | Perminder Balu
| | Position: | L A Governor Vice Chair Health and Safety | | Committees: | Health and Safety
| | | | | | I am a self employed Chartered Suveyor with several years of skills and experience. Originally involved in sustainable aggregate extraction and waste management for a multi-national company before becoming involved in recycling and transport. In recent years I have been heavily involved in sustainable transport matters, planning applications, land negotiation and property development. Appointed as Local Authority Governor in 2006, currently am Vice Chair of Premises/Health and Safety Committee and governing Body representative on the school's Eco Team. As the school embarked on the journey in early 2009 of striving for Eco School Green Flag Award, assistance was offered to the Eco Team and accepted. It is a two way learning process between the pupils and myself. This will no doubt prove to be a very worthy cause which over the coming months will continue to gain momentum and strength indicated by the engagement of staff but more so from the willingness and ideas of the children. |
| Name: | Anita Hawsworth
| | Position: | Clerk to the Governing Body
| | Committees: | n/a
| | | | | | | I am Clerk to Governors and Clerk to the Committees. It is my duty to convene the meetings, and working closely with the Chair of Governors, Head Teacher and Chairs of Committees, to ensure the agendas are constructive and move the business of the school on. Following each meeting, I write up the minutes recording the schools’ decision making operation. I take my responsibilities seriously and I am proud to be working for such a dynamic Governing Body. |
 Mark Tipton | Name: | Mark Tipton
| | Position: | Parent Governor Vice Chair Curriculum | | Committees: | Finance and Personnel, Curriculum | | | | | | I have been a Parent Governor at Whitehouse Common since 2004 and have served on various committees and appointment panels for the Head Teacher and Deputy Head Teacher.
I have 3 girls at the school and although I knew little about the education system when I first joined the Governing Body I felt that I could make a useful contribution to the running of the school and therefore stood for election as a parent governor. I now understand the education system better (I still have a lot to learn though !) and in particular I have realised how much autonomy individual schools have to determine how they spend their money, who they recruit and what their plans and priorities are. I have also come to realise that whilst many of these decisions are rightly made by the Head Teacher, Deputy Head Teacher and other senior staff at the school, governors also have a vital role to play in the decision making process by contributing their individual skills and perspectives from many different walks of life.
My day job is as a Human Resources Manager in a large NHS Trust and this enables me to particularly contribute to the Governing Body on matters to do with public sector employment and employment law. |
 | Name: | Helen Myers
| | Position | Parent Governor
| | | | I was elected by the parents of WCPS in November 2008. Since that time I have been active on all of the committees. I now sit on the Curriculum Committee and the Health and Safety Committee meetings.
I have two children at WCPS. My daughter is currently in Year two and my son is in Year four. I do the school run twice a day, every day and therefore have an acute awareness of the issues that parents are concerned about. I would like to see further improvements in communication between Parents and School. I hope that parents continue to feel able to approach me should they have any concerns or ideas. My belief is that the more parents and staff work together, the more the School will develop.
I work professionally supporting children and families who are experiencing difficulties, both in and out of School. I have a particular desire to develop this by ensuring children, families and professionals are all signposted to relevant agencies and information for support should they require it.
In the time I have been a Governor I have been encouraged by the commitment and passion of the staff at our School. I can safely say that despite my 14 years working in education I had little awareness of how much hard work goes on behind the scenes. We are all very lucky to have our children attending such a School.
I look forward to meeting you all.
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 Nicole Checkley | Name: | Nicole Checkley
| | Position: | Deputy Head Associate member | | Committee | Curriculum | | | | | | This is my fourth year as Deputy Headteacher. As an associate member of
the governing body, I meet with governors to offer information and support here necessary.
We are fortunate to have such a strong and dynamic governing body. It is in partnership with the governors that the school provides a caring supportive learning environment with a balanced, comprehensive curriculum o enable every child to reach their full potential.
I am proud of the high profile our school has in the local community and he excellent community participation across all areas of the school. |
 | Name: | Harriet Breeze
| | Position: | Teacher Governor | | Committee: | Curriculum | | | | I joined Whitehouse Common as a class teacher in 2004 and have taught iin all key stages in the school. During my time here I have successfully taken on the role of Co-ordinator for Religious Education and Collective Worship and I am currently the ICT leader. I believe that all children have a right to a good quality education and should both enjoy and achieve during their time at school. I hope that, in my role as governor, I will be part of a team which aims to make strategic decisions in the development of the school. | | |
 | Name: | Bob Pattni
| | Position: | Community Governor | | Committees: | Finance | | | | | | This is my second year serving the school as a parent governor. My interest in the school began when we chose WHCS for our two children, who enjoy the school immensely. The drive and enthusiasm of the staff at the school encouraged me to take a greater interest and in 2007 I became a governor and serve on the Finance Committee. The challenges and issues at the school are similar to those I see in my work and I am pleased to assist WHCS achieve its goals.
Outside the school, my role of Executive Director for Finance and Data at Sutton Coldfield and Matthew Boulton Colleges, involves the training and education for all from 14 to 90! |
 | Name: | Dean Boyce
| | Position: | Local Authority Governor | | Committees: | Curriculum
| | | | | | Hello my name is Dean Boyce and I am a local authority appointed member of the governing body. I worked as a teacher in both the primary and secondary school sector before leading Higher Level Teaching Assistant and Early Years Practitioner Status development on behalf of Birmingham Local Authority and University College Birmingham. I currently work for a Bristol based educational consultancy company as their West Midland's Children's Workforce Development Manager. I live locally and have two teenage boys. I originally trained as a secondary PE/maths teacher and still enjoy participating in tennis and volleyball. I am the current governor link to Year 6. I am also the chair of the curriculum committee and support both maths and English as the governor link |
Previous Governors who have helped the school on its journey: | - Mr Frank Sheehan (Co-opted Governor)
- Mr Peter Martin (LEA Governor)
- Mrs Valerie Martin (LEA Governor)
- Mrs Julie Morgan (LEA Governor former Chair)
- Mr Martyn Collin (Head Teacher Governor)
- Mrs Helen Sotomayor (Teacher Governor)
- Mrs Suzan Poulton (Parent Governor)
- Mr Robin Wheeler (Parent Governor)
- Mrs Jean Wood (Lea Governor)
- Mr Henry Lacey (Lea Governor)
- Mr Ian Stewart (Parent Governor)
- Mrs Gail Chamberlain (Co-opted Governor)
- Mr Simon Rowney (Co-opted and Parent Governor, former Chair)
- Mrs Marion Daniels (Teacher Governor)
- Mr Giles Wheeler (Parent Governor, former Chair)
- Mrs Katrena Aucott (Co-opted Governor)
- Mrs Sue Eriksen (Parent Governor)
- Mr Jamie Barry (Teacher Governor)
- Miss Chris Tonkinson (Teacher Governor)
- Mr Dale Hill (Head Teacher Governor)
- Mr Japp Vos (former Chair)
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