Governance

A message from Esther Gunter, Chair of the Governing Body

What does the Governing Body at Warden Park Primary Academy do?

The Governing Body has three main roles:

To be strategic
To act as critical friend in the development of the academy
To be accountable to the whole academy’s community

How we work

The full Governing Body meets at least six times a year, roughly once per half term. Between these times our Link Governors visit the academy to review areas of:

Curriculum, Teaching and Learning
Premises and Health & Safety
Finance
Pupil Outcomes and Effective Assessment
Personal Development, Welfare, Behaviour and Safeguarding
Leadership
Pupil Premium.

As Governors, we also share a common objective of supporting and developing the wider school community. We work in partnership with you as parents and carers and the WPPA staff to ensure that every child leaves our academy having developed at WPPA as an enterprising and creative contributor, an ethically-informed citizen, a healthy confident individual and an ambitious capable learner.

To achieve this, and to carry out our role as Governors effectively, we need to know what issues are important to you (so we remain responsive) and ensure that you know what issues Governors are discussing (so that we remain accountable).That is why as Governors we work closely with Mr Davis and WPPA Staff to ensure that we continue to deliver a high standard of education to our children at Warden Park Primary Academy.

I think that the most important thing to note is that Governors are a team, not a collection of individuals or groups with separate agenda. However much we may differ in our views and experiences, we are united by our commitment to the academy and the responsibility we share for WPPA’s long term success.

All relevant governance information is included on the Warden Park Primary Academy’s website. Please remember that the website is a good way of keeping up to date with all aspects of academy life.

If you have a concern or a point of view to share, please let us know. We can be contacted via the Governance Support Officer at clerk@sussexlearningtrust.co.uk.

I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued support and to assure you that I am committed to and very proud of our academy and I will continue to work with Mr Davis and his Staff Team, the other Governors, Parents and Pupils as together we all continue strive to make Warden Park Primary Academy Outstanding.

Yours sincerely

Esther Gunter

Chair of Governors – WPPA LGB

Trustee – Sussex Learning Trust

THE GOVERNORS CAN BE CONTACTED VIA THE GOVERNANCE SUPPORT OFFICER, Ms Natalie Shelford at clerk@sussexlearningtrust.co.uk

Warden Park Primary Academy is part of Sussex Learning Trust. Click here for more information.

Sussex Learning Trust, Broad Street, Cuckfield, West Sussex RH17 5DP

01444 457881

01444 417024

Meet the academy's governors:

CHAIR - Esther Gunter

Experience, Skills Set and Expertise

During my career as a legal recruitment manager and trainer I have developed a commercial skills set, enabling me to analyse individuals’ potential and skills, coach and support staff and clients/candidates to identify career desires and support them through interview preparation and allowing them to be career ready. Commercially I consult and advise businesses on employer branding, candidate attraction, interview processes and recruitment market intelligence.

During 15 years with Search Consultancy, I have managed teams, passionate about nurturing youthful talent, developing graduate or “first job” staff to be successful innovative employees.

Since 2012, when my daughter started school at what was Heyworth now Warden Park Primary, I have taken an active part in the development of the school as a Director and Trustee of the Trust. I have found this experience hugely rewarding and now am getting involved in more opportunities to support young people in securing the best life outcomes through inspirational learning, youth mental health support and career coaching.

Vice Chair - Laren Doe

Experience, Skills Set and Expertise:

I became a Trustee appointed Governor at the end of 2018 and am responsible for the area of Health and Safety. I was assigned this area due to my background in Risk management having worked in the Insurance Industry for over 10 years, the last six of which specialising in the Education Sector.

I live locally to the school and was looking for an opportunity to become more involved within my community. I have attended numerous events at the Academy over the years due to family involvement and am always overwhelmed by the atmosphere of fun, supportive learning which I am excited to be a small part of.

Safeguarding - Lucinda Meagher

Experience, Skills Set and Expertise

Over the last fifteen years I have worked for the local charity IMPACT Foundation, running their Tasty Team project. During this time I have worked in the community and at many primary schools in West Sussex, helping to give children and their parents new skills and increased confidence to use in everyday home life. I managed a team of volunteers, encouraging them to pass on their skills to others.

I have always watched with interest the developments at Warden Park Primary Academy and I am pleased to be now more involved with the school and its progression into the future.

I have lived in West Sussex for approximately 20 years. I am married and have three daughters, who have now all left school.

Diane Ayres (Staff nominated Governor)

Ben Swithenbank (Parent-nominated Governor)

Rachel Jowett (Parent nominated Governor)

Amie Whittle (Staff nominated Governor)

Michael Field (LGB nominated Governor)

Micheal Burbidge (LGB nominated Governor)

Elizabeth Brodie (Head teacher - ex officio role on the Governing Body)

BOARD MEETING MINUTES

Copies of Minutes of Governing Body meetings are available on request from the Clerk at wppaclerk@sussexlearningtrust.co.uk

For details of the local governing body, including declarations of interests and attendance, please click the following links:

Scheme of Delegation

Local Governing Body