Our Governors

Woodlands Primary and Nursery School Governing Body is responsible for our school and has representatives from across the organization as well as Governors from a range of different professions. All Governors have completed a skills audit and we ensure that when new Governors are appointed they can bring additional skills and expertise to the Governing Body. In October 2020 we reconstituted the Governing Body in line with the new DfE regulations. When Governor a vacancy becomes available, this will be advertised on the school website, newsletter and Class DOJO page; parents are encouraged to submit expression of interest letters to the school.

Governors are appointed for a four year period of office and are from a wide range of professions to bring expertise to the leadership and management of Woodlands Primary and Nursery School. The Governing Body is responsible for ensuring that Woodlands is well led and holds the Headteacher to account for all aspects of the school. They are closely involved in strategic planning and the future direction of the school with the Senior Leadership Team. Governors meetings this year will focus on Monitoring Standards of Achievement, Behaviour and Attendance, Monitoring the Quality of Teaching, Staffing and Staff Appraisal, Key Policies, Budget Monitoring and Budget planning, the impact of the Pupil Premium on pupil outcomes, the effectiveness of the New Curriculum 2014, Safeguarding and Woodlands in the Community. The external review of PPG Funding, evaluating the effectiveness of the School Development Plan to improve outcomes in mathematics, especially for the lowest attainers, SEND, disadvantaged and more able children.

The Full Governing Body meets at least 6 times per year, twice per term (these are shown on the school calendar).

Governors are appointed by the Governing Body and the Local Authority. There are 11 governors required by constitution, they are:-

1 LA Governor – Mr Dave Jackson

1 The Headteacher – Mrs Yvonne Crilly

1 Staff Governor – Mrs Joanne Duncombe

3 Parent Governors – Mrs Rebecca Carey & Mrs Emma Moore plus vacancy

5 Co-opted Governors – Mr Rob Leckey, Mr Jeremy Withers, Paul Watling and Ellese Smallwood, plus one vacancy.

The Chair of Governors is Mr Rob Leckey.

Governors Visits Policy and Protocol Policy SEPT 2023 review date 2025

Code of Conduct for School Governors Sept 2023

Mr Rob Leckey

chair of Governors

Co-Opted Governor

COMMITTEES : Full Governing Body

LINK GOVERNOR : Arts and Culture

TERM OF OFFICE : 16th July 2027

BACKGROUND : Senior Leader in Education – Retired.

GOVERNOR INFORMATION :

I am very happy to be part of this excellent school, serving in the role as a governor and currently the Chair of the Governing Body.

It is lovely to see how this school is run and how it provides an inclusive and high quality education for all the children who attend. As a retired Telford & Wrekin Headteacher I hope to bring a wealth of knowledge and experience from all my years in the education profession. I am a very keen artist. I also enjoy playing golf, gardening, travelling and spending time with my four grandchildren.

Mrs Yvonne Crilly

Headteacher

Head Teacher Governor

COMMITTEES : Full Governing Body

LINK GOVERNOR : Wellbeing & Core Governor Business

TERM OF OFFICE : OPEN

BACKGROUND : Senior Leader in Education, Teacher

GOVERNOR INFORMATION :

I have worked in education for the past 35 years, firstly as an NNEB before qualifying as a class teacher. For a number of years, I worked in Sandwell, Walsall and Dudley, before moving to Telford and Wrekin in 2003. I have been a member of the Governing Body at Woodlands Primary and Nursery School, since my appointment as Assistant Headteacher, back in September 2007. I have seen a number of significant, strategic changes take place at Woodlands and feel incredibly fortunate to have been involved in the school’s journey during the last decade – moving from a Notice to Improve category to an Ofsted grading of ‘good’, with outstanding elements in 2017.

I been lucky enough to witness the school change and grow, and have enjoyed my role as Assistant Head and then Deputy Head, leading strategies and initiatives, that have led to improved provision and greater opportunities and outcomes, for our children and their families during this time.

Working at Woodlands is a job that I am truly passionate about. As a Governor, and now also as Headteacher, I embrace the excitement and unpredictability of my current leadership role and relish the opportunity to have an impact on outcomes and secure rapid progress within the school and its wider communities. I enjoy working within a supportive team that I have helped construct and develop and possess a strong belief in the capacity of all to succeed in an inclusive environment. I am committed to ensuring that every child attending Woodlands, receives the very best inclusive education and is supported and challenged, in order to achieve their full potential.

Mrs Joanne Duncombe

Deputy Headteacher

staff Governor

COMMITTEES : Full Governing Body

LINK GOVERNOR : STEM (Science Technology Engineering Maths)

TERM OF OFFICE : 07 October 2024

BACKGROUND : Senior Leader in Education, Teacher.

GOVERNOR INFORMATION :

I have been a teacher in Primary education for 14 years, 8 of which have been here at Woodlands. Working as a member of Woodlands leadership as the English Lead, as Assistant Headteacher and now in my current role as Deputy Headteacher, has enabled me to be part of a number of significant, strategic changes leading to improved provision and greater opportunities for our children here at Woodlands. For the past 2 years, I have been a member of the Governing body at Woodlands and served as a Governor in my previous setting.

I firmly believe that the curriculum offer at Woodlands is exemplary and the vision and values ensure that the education provided here is exciting and encourages the mental, physical, and spiritual development of every pupil, therefore equipping them with the skills needed to function socially; preparing them for living happy and successful lives. A large part of my wider school role has focused on the development and the sharing of best practice in both my own setting and in other schools throughout the local authority. This includes: working as a Specialist Leader of Literacy (SLL) as part of the English Hub; working as a Specialist Leader in Education (SLE) within a number of schools in the local authority to provide support for Literacy; KS1 and KS2 local authority writing moderator. I am a passionate believer in lifelong learning and have successfully completed the Mathematics Specialist teacher course, have also gained the NPQSL qualification and most recently, have completed a masters in ‘Educational Leadership’.

I thoroughly enjoy working at Woodlands and am grateful for the opportunity to continue to have an impact on outcomes and maintain sustainable progress within the school and its wider communities.

Mr Jeremy Withers

CO-opted Governor

COMMITTEES : Full Governing Body

LINK GOVERNOR : STEM (Science Technology Engineering Maths)

TERM OF OFFICE : 01 May 2027

BACKGROUND : ICT, Business

GOVERNOR INFORMATION :

I feel that through my role as school governor, I offer a view of the world outside education which can support the Head and Senior Leadership team in shaping and executing the school improvement strategy in order to give the young people of out community the best possible start.

Telford statistically has educational outcomes worse than the England average: By encouraging excellent teaching at EYFS, KS1 and KS2 in our school, we can give our young people the possible basis for a lifetime of learning. I have 25 years’ experience working in the business technology sector having worked for a number of large companies. I feel that it is important that STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) are introduced to our young people at an early age, as part of a broad and balanced curriculum offering.

Being a self-confessed career geek, my interests also tend toward the technical. When not enjoying bike rides and walks around the beautiful green spaces of South Telford, I find that constructing and testing pieces of amateur radio equipment or tinkering with my small collection of stationary engines are an excellent way to learn new skills.

dave jackson

Co-opted Governor

COMMITTEES : Full Governing Body

LINK GOVERNOR : Wellbeing, Safeguarding

TERM OF OFFICE : 26 June 2027

BACKGROUND : Local Authority

GOVERNOR INFORMATION :

I joined the governing body to maintain involvement in Education particularly for my grandchildren. I have 39 years experience in teaching and as advisory teacher across all key stages. Higher Education qualifications MA Ed in Child Development, Language and Literacy, Science Education. Diploma in Primary Maths Education. 12 years governor experience at three other schools. Parent and grandparent. Experience of multi-agency working in collocated children’s services. Local knowledge and community involvement in sport and environment. Experience of teaching abroad. My interests are reading, politics, sports/fitness, ecology travel.

Miss Rebecca Carey

Parent Governor

COMMITTEES : Full Governing Body

LINK GOVERNOR : Wellbeing, Core Governor Business

TERM OF OFFICE : 01 November 2024

BACKGROUND : Education & LA

GOVERNOR INFORMATION :

I believe that every child has the right to access good education and I want to be able to support and work with the leadership team at Woodlands Primary School in ensure that together we are able to offer the best learning experiences and opportunities for all the children in our school.

I currently have two children who are in Year 2 at the school, so as a parent I have a vested interest in their education and I think I am able to give a perspective of how the school works alongside its parental community. I also have a background in education and have been a qualified teacher for over 20 years, I now work for the Local Authority supporting schools within the borough.

My family keep me very busy and I enjoy spending time with them when I am not working. However, I also like to run to keep myself fit and active.

Cllr Paul Watling

Co-opted Governor

COMMITTEES : Full Governing Body

LINK GOVERNOR : Arts & Culture

TERM OF OFFICE : 31 August 2025

BACKGROUND : Council & Education

GOVERNOR INFORMATION :

I am the local Borough and Town Councillor for Madeley and re-joined the governing body after serving as a governor between 2011 and 2016. My professional background is in Community Development and Children’s Services and I have, until I retired 3 years ago, had 30 years experience in this field. I believe Woodlands is at the heart of its community and that the positive and aspirational approach of the school offers real opportunities for children and families alike. I am grandfather to three and my interests include Football (West Ham for my sins), theatre and music.

MRS LOUISE CHAPLIN

Co-opted Governors of Full Governing Body

TERM OF OFFICE: 07th October 2020

RESIGNED: 31ST DECEMBER 2022

MR MAX JONES

Co-opted Chair of Governors of Full Governing Body

TERM OF OFFICE: 16th June 2023

RESIGNED: STEPPED DOWN FROM CHAIR AND GOVERNIING BODY 7TH SEPTEMBER 2020.