Governance at Warden Park Primary Academy
For details of the local governing body, including declarations of interests and attendance, please click the following links:
A message from Laren Doe, Chair of the Governing Body
What does the Governing Body at Warden Park Primary Academy do?
The Governing Body has three main roles:
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To be strategic
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To act as critical friend in the development of the academy
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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:
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Curriculum, Teaching and Learning
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Premises and Health & Safety
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Finance
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Pupil Outcomes and Effective Assessment
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Personal Development, Welfare, Behaviour and Safeguarding
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Leadership
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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 Mrs Brodie 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 Clerk to the Governors at WPPAclerk@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 Mrs Brodie and the WPPA Staff Team, the other Governors, Parents and Pupils as together we all continue strive to make Warden Park Primary Academy Outstanding.
Yours sincerely
Laren Doe
Chair of Governors – WPPA LGB
Meet the academy's governors:
Chair - Laren Doe
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.
Vice Chair - Ben Swithenbank (LGB nominated Governor)
Safeguarding Governor - Rachel Jowett (Parent nominated Governor)
I have served as a parent-appointed governor for several years, initially applying due to my background in teaching and my current role as an assessment specialist in education. As both of my children attend the school, I am deeply invested in supporting and sustaining its positive, thriving community.
With training in safeguarding, experience working in school settings, and roles within the charity sector, it felt like a natural progression to take on responsibility for overseeing the school’s safeguarding procedures. I am committed to ensuring that the school continues to uphold the highest standards of care and protection for all members of its community.
Diane Ayres (Staff nominated Governor)
I became a Staff Appointed Governor in September 2022 after joining the school in April 2021. I am Link Governor for SEND and as Head of Early Years in the school, work closely with the Early Years Link Governors.
With over 20 years of dedicated experience in Early Years education, I bring a wealth of practical classroom expertise to the governing board. As a Staff Appointed Governor, I offer valuable insight into the day-to-day operations and needs of the school community. In my role as the SEND Link Governor, I champion inclusive practices and support the strategic development of SEND provision across the school.
I also collaborate closely with fellow EYFS Link Governors to ensure that early years teaching and learning aligns with the school’s vision and statutory requirements. Their dual role as both practitioner and governor allows me to bridge the gap between policy and practice, supporting the school’s continuous improvement and commitment to excellence for all learners.
Amie Whittle (Staff nominated Governor)
I became a Staff Governor on the Local Governing Board at the end of 2022 and currently hold link responsibilities for Early Years and Curriculum Mathematics. I have been the Office Manager at Warden Park Primary Academy since 2020, a role that gives me daily interaction with pupils, staff, and parents — providing valuable insight into the school’s day-to-day life and needs. As a parent of two children who attend WPPA and thoroughly enjoy their time at the school, I have a strong personal commitment to supporting its continued success and nurturing environment. Prior to joining WPPA, I worked as a civil servant in the Home Office, where I gained extensive experience in policy development and implementation, business administration, financial oversight, and people management. I led policy projects that involved research, analysis, and the delivery of government initiatives across a range of subject areas. My dual perspective as both a staff member and parent gives me a well-rounded view and a strong motivation to support the school’s ethos: ensuring every child has the opportunity to realise their full potential.
Michael Field (LGB nominated Governor)
Adrian Rutherford (LGB nominated Governor)
I have been a governor of the school since July 2024 and am proud that I am an ex-pupil of the school attending from 1977 until 1983 when it was known as Heyworth School. Following my time at Heyworth I undertook GSCEs and A-Levels and attended the University of Manchester. I am currently the Director of Human Resources for Surrey and Sussex Police. My time at Heyworth gave me a great grounding and springboard for my life and career. I am delighted that the school maintains high standards and strives to give every pupil the best start in life and I am pleased that I can assist in this great work.
Sarah Houchin (LGB nominated Governor)
I volunteered to become a governor as I wanted to support my local school. Living in Haywards Heath, I wanted to use my spare time productively within the community. I have a background both in child protection social work and education, having been a senior leader in secondary schools for the last 15 years. I hope that some of my knowledge and experience will be useful to support the leaders and teachers at the Academy so that the children continue to flourish here. I have particular governor responsibility for leadership and management, outcomes and pupil premium. From what I have seen so far I think the staff and children at the Academy can be very proud of the work they are doing.
Philippa Sanniez (Parent elected Governor)
I became a parent carer elected governor in March 2025. I have been assigned SEND/Inclusion as a link role. My background is in Psychology and I have worked within the NHS in the mental health sector for many years.I have a personal connection to the Academy and the local community and I am pleased to be able to make a contribution in this role.
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.
Governors can be contacted via The Clerk to Governors Mrs Andrea Barrett at WPPAclerk@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