Meet the Governors!
Welcome to the section of the website where you can find out more about the school’s governors, and the work that we do. Our main role is to support the Headteacher and the staff – the phrase often used to describe this role is ‘a critical friend’. We help them to set and reach targets and to strive for excellence across the whole spectrum of school life.
The two key documents used for this are the School Development Plan (SIP) and the Self Evaluation Form (SEF). The SIP sets out a strategic plan for the school, with targets that everyone works towards and the SEF sets out how well the school is doing and where we aim to make improvements. Our legal duties include:-
There are also named governors with responsibility for safeguarding. Regular meetings are held between the Headteacher and Chair of Governors to discuss school matters and monitor aspects of school, such as the budget. All governors are kept well informed about the leadership of the school and are consulted about key strategic decisions, where appropriate.
Sue Brookes - Chair of Governors (chair@wharncliffeside.sheffield.sch.uk)
Code of Conduct for School Governing Boards
Wharncliffe Side Primary Governors’ Pecuniary Interests
Resources Sub-committee Terms of Reference
Wharncliffe Side School Governors Constitution September 2020
Governor Attendance 2017-18
Governor Attendance 2018-19
Governor Attendance 2019-20
Governor Attendance 2020-21
Welcome to the section of the website where you can find out more about the school’s governors, and the work that we do. Our main role is to support the Headteacher and the staff – the phrase often used to describe this role is ‘a critical friend’. We help them to set and reach targets and to strive for excellence across the whole spectrum of school life.
The two key documents used for this are the School Development Plan (SIP) and the Self Evaluation Form (SEF). The SIP sets out a strategic plan for the school, with targets that everyone works towards and the SEF sets out how well the school is doing and where we aim to make improvements. Our legal duties include:-
- Setting strategic direction, policies and objectives
- Approving the school budget
- Reviewing progress against the school’s budget and objectives
- Appointing, challenging and supporting the Headteacher
There are also named governors with responsibility for safeguarding. Regular meetings are held between the Headteacher and Chair of Governors to discuss school matters and monitor aspects of school, such as the budget. All governors are kept well informed about the leadership of the school and are consulted about key strategic decisions, where appropriate.
Sue Brookes - Chair of Governors (chair@wharncliffeside.sheffield.sch.uk)
Code of Conduct for School Governing Boards
Wharncliffe Side Primary Governors’ Pecuniary Interests
Resources Sub-committee Terms of Reference
Wharncliffe Side School Governors Constitution September 2020
Governor Attendance 2017-18
Governor Attendance 2018-19
Governor Attendance 2019-20
Governor Attendance 2020-21
Meet the Governors
Sue Brookes (Chair):
I joined the Governing Board in February 2018 as a Co-Opted Governor. I have a background (over considerable years!) in business and education. Over the most recent ten years I have had extensive experience with a variety of school Governing Boards and have spent time working with young people who have, in the majority, had very poor educational experiences. I am passionate about providing all young people with the best possible life skills and opportunities. I took over as Chair in July 2019.
Sarah Wasteney:
I joined the governing body as a parent governor in 2014, a few months after my daughter started in reception. My decision to do this was that I wanted to be confident that the school was successful and understand how this was achieved. I am passionate and believe that each and every child should be valued as individuals, allowing them to excel both academically and creatively. As a parent, I value education highly and want to make a positive contribution. I am proud to represent the schools standards. Out of school I previously worked as a regional auditor within the leisure industry. More recently I work at a local brewery. I have extensive experience in audit practices, policies and risk management to offer the governing body.
Sarah Gillott:
I am a parent governor at Wharncliffe Side Primary school. So far I have found this a fascinating and hugely rewarding position. I am proud to be involved in helping to maintain the positive nurturing ethos of the school, preserve it’s many strengths and constantly strive for better. I have a passion for effective learning in education and a particular interest in the Creative Arts, Science, Technology and Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND). I have 2 boys at the school. I firmly believe that all children have the right to access the curriculum and be taught in a way that they not only understand, but which excites and fires their imaginations! As a governor I pledge to continually represent the interests of every child and defend their right to the best education possible. Outside of school, my husband and I own a graphic design business and when I have any free time I like to do anything creative, I particularly enjoy designing and making bespoke jewellery and photography. I love the outdoors and spend as much time as possible walking or running in our beautiful scenic countryside. I also volunteer at my church as a youth leader, organising weekly activities and supporting young people.
Joanne Bagnall:
I recently joined the governing body as a parent governor with 2 children attending Wharncliffe Side School and nursery.
I have always worked in education starting my teaching career in an Integrated Resource at a local school. My drive to become part of the governing body at Wharncliffe Side is my passion for education remaining child centred, despite the constant demands and ever increasing expectations put on both teachers and children by the government. Wharncliffe Side has a unique caring, nurturing and fully inclusive ethos. Both as a parent and governor, I would like to see continue throughout our journey into Peak Edge Academy
Sandy Glossop:
I became a Co-opted Governor at Wharncliffe Side in September 2019 and I am committed to helping young people get the best possible start in life through education. Both my own children received a good education at schools in this area and I feel very fortunate to be able to support education in Sheffield by making a contribution to the development of the school. I have over 20 years experience as a governor at both primary and secondary level including 9 years as a Chair of Governors. I am now retired but previously I was a director of a large company in the steel industry, responsible for business planning.
Heidi Tomlin:
Over the past twenty years I have worked for a variety of businesses, mostly SMEs but some larger agencies too, primarily in creative marketing and PR roles. As with most small businesses though, my remit has often included strategic planning, budgeting, HR and data management. Most recently – the last six years – I have worked for a training company in Sheffield, marketing apprenticeship programmes and other work-based learning. This has given me a good insight into the challenges faced by adult education in this country. My strengths lie in finding creative solutions to problems whether it’s implementing new technologies to reduce costs, reviewing processes as part of a lean management strategy or simply questioning how well things are working on day-to-day basis.
Stewart Alexander:
I have two children at the school and I joined the Governors in January 2020. I am interested in the learning environment in which our children study, and the approach to the teaching, particularly the mindset installed alongside the academic curriculum to help nurture confidence, potential and success. I have many years of experience as a leader in an operational and strategic capacity. I am used to working with figures and budgets and setting and implementing plans. I offer an analytical approach to decision making and I am prepared to explore alternative options where applicable, and question decisions if a different course is available.
Anita Padwagga:
I was delighted to be appointed as a Co-opted Governor at the end-Nov 2020, re-establishing my connection with Wharncliffe Side Primary, which my children (now secondary school age) happily attended during their nursery years. Personally, I am passionate about young people having genuine opportunity and the support they need to thrive in an ever-changing world. For me, school should provide a safe, welcoming environment that enables all students to exercise their curiosity and imagination, push themselves to achieve academic success to the best of their ability, and build happy memories, confidence and self-belief. This motivates and informs my approach to school governance. Professionally, I have substantial experience across a variety of roles within global banks, currently focussed on corporate governance and risk management. These skills and experiences were recently leveraged in a prior secondary school governance role to drive improved year-on-year exam outcomes and return the school to financial health.
I joined the Governing Board in February 2018 as a Co-Opted Governor. I have a background (over considerable years!) in business and education. Over the most recent ten years I have had extensive experience with a variety of school Governing Boards and have spent time working with young people who have, in the majority, had very poor educational experiences. I am passionate about providing all young people with the best possible life skills and opportunities. I took over as Chair in July 2019.
Sarah Wasteney:
I joined the governing body as a parent governor in 2014, a few months after my daughter started in reception. My decision to do this was that I wanted to be confident that the school was successful and understand how this was achieved. I am passionate and believe that each and every child should be valued as individuals, allowing them to excel both academically and creatively. As a parent, I value education highly and want to make a positive contribution. I am proud to represent the schools standards. Out of school I previously worked as a regional auditor within the leisure industry. More recently I work at a local brewery. I have extensive experience in audit practices, policies and risk management to offer the governing body.
Sarah Gillott:
I am a parent governor at Wharncliffe Side Primary school. So far I have found this a fascinating and hugely rewarding position. I am proud to be involved in helping to maintain the positive nurturing ethos of the school, preserve it’s many strengths and constantly strive for better. I have a passion for effective learning in education and a particular interest in the Creative Arts, Science, Technology and Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND). I have 2 boys at the school. I firmly believe that all children have the right to access the curriculum and be taught in a way that they not only understand, but which excites and fires their imaginations! As a governor I pledge to continually represent the interests of every child and defend their right to the best education possible. Outside of school, my husband and I own a graphic design business and when I have any free time I like to do anything creative, I particularly enjoy designing and making bespoke jewellery and photography. I love the outdoors and spend as much time as possible walking or running in our beautiful scenic countryside. I also volunteer at my church as a youth leader, organising weekly activities and supporting young people.
Joanne Bagnall:
I recently joined the governing body as a parent governor with 2 children attending Wharncliffe Side School and nursery.
I have always worked in education starting my teaching career in an Integrated Resource at a local school. My drive to become part of the governing body at Wharncliffe Side is my passion for education remaining child centred, despite the constant demands and ever increasing expectations put on both teachers and children by the government. Wharncliffe Side has a unique caring, nurturing and fully inclusive ethos. Both as a parent and governor, I would like to see continue throughout our journey into Peak Edge Academy
Sandy Glossop:
I became a Co-opted Governor at Wharncliffe Side in September 2019 and I am committed to helping young people get the best possible start in life through education. Both my own children received a good education at schools in this area and I feel very fortunate to be able to support education in Sheffield by making a contribution to the development of the school. I have over 20 years experience as a governor at both primary and secondary level including 9 years as a Chair of Governors. I am now retired but previously I was a director of a large company in the steel industry, responsible for business planning.
Heidi Tomlin:
Over the past twenty years I have worked for a variety of businesses, mostly SMEs but some larger agencies too, primarily in creative marketing and PR roles. As with most small businesses though, my remit has often included strategic planning, budgeting, HR and data management. Most recently – the last six years – I have worked for a training company in Sheffield, marketing apprenticeship programmes and other work-based learning. This has given me a good insight into the challenges faced by adult education in this country. My strengths lie in finding creative solutions to problems whether it’s implementing new technologies to reduce costs, reviewing processes as part of a lean management strategy or simply questioning how well things are working on day-to-day basis.
Stewart Alexander:
I have two children at the school and I joined the Governors in January 2020. I am interested in the learning environment in which our children study, and the approach to the teaching, particularly the mindset installed alongside the academic curriculum to help nurture confidence, potential and success. I have many years of experience as a leader in an operational and strategic capacity. I am used to working with figures and budgets and setting and implementing plans. I offer an analytical approach to decision making and I am prepared to explore alternative options where applicable, and question decisions if a different course is available.
Anita Padwagga:
I was delighted to be appointed as a Co-opted Governor at the end-Nov 2020, re-establishing my connection with Wharncliffe Side Primary, which my children (now secondary school age) happily attended during their nursery years. Personally, I am passionate about young people having genuine opportunity and the support they need to thrive in an ever-changing world. For me, school should provide a safe, welcoming environment that enables all students to exercise their curiosity and imagination, push themselves to achieve academic success to the best of their ability, and build happy memories, confidence and self-belief. This motivates and informs my approach to school governance. Professionally, I have substantial experience across a variety of roles within global banks, currently focussed on corporate governance and risk management. These skills and experiences were recently leveraged in a prior secondary school governance role to drive improved year-on-year exam outcomes and return the school to financial health.