Waterton Governance Page
How we work
We meet together as a full Academy Standards Committee once every term. Full meetings will discuss school wide matters including the long-term strategy and vision of school, policy matters and general school matters for the preceding term. In addition, we meet regularly with the Senior Leadership Team and subject leads throughout each term to cover the finer elements of governance, discussing in detail issues such as complaints, discipline, quality of teaching and much more. Each member of the Academy Standards Committee holds a link role and will liaise with the relevant member of staff within school relating to each of the following areas of school life: Safeguarding; SEND; Disadvantaged Children; Curriculum; Parental Engagement; Health and Safety; and Well-being.
Keeping in touch
The website is a good way of keeping up to date with all aspects of school life. If you have a concern or a point of view to share, please come and speak to us. We are all contactable through school and are happy to discuss any issues or ideas you may have.
There are lots of ways of sharing your views with us. As many of our governors are also parents of children at school, so we can often be found around at the beginning and end of the school day. We will also be arranging specific opportunities and times throughout the school year to hear from you and keep in touch. Alternatively, you can always leave us a note at the school office or drop us an e-mail to the school address and we will get in touch with you.
Becoming a Governor
Being a school governor is an important role but you do not need to have any particular skills, knowledge or experience to become a governor. What you need to bring is: a commitment to school life; the ability to work with others; patience and enthusiasm; a willingness to learn; a commitment to working openly and democratically; and, most importantly a willingness to spend what time you can offer getting involved in school life.
The most important thing to note is that governors are a team, not a collection of individuals or groups with separate agendas. However much we may differ in our opinions and experiences we are united by our commitment to the school and the responsibility we share for its long-term success. In short, we have a common purpose.
Meet our Governors
Miss A Fahy
Deputy Headteacher Inclusion Leader Nursery Teacher
Mrs A Tomlinson
Chris White
I currently work within Waterton Academy Trust at Churchfield Primary as Lead Teacher for the specialist SEND provision called 'Waterton Assessment Centre'. My role is to ensure that pupils with complex needs make excellent progress. I wanted to join the governing body of Walton so that I could give something back to a community within the trust I am employed with. I am aware of some of the great work already being done at Walton, as well as many developments coming soon and I am looking forward to being a part of that. I am Welsh and currently live in Doncaster. I have been a dedicated and hardworking teacher for 9 years and feel that my experiences and knowledge can assist in ensuring children at Walton Primary have the best possible outcomes and enjoy school life. I have two children of my own who are in primary school so I feel I would be able empathize with both parents and staff very well. As I have taught children with lots of different Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, I feel that I could provide advice and strategies to help support children in a variety of ways.
Harriet Swainson
I became a governor at Walton Primary Academy in May 2019 and the West Hub Board representative for the school in November 2019. Although slightly biased, my husband and I have two fabulous young children who never cease to amaze us with the speed at which they learn and grow. As a family we enjoy as much time as possible being active and creative and we teach our children to work hard and play harder. The academic and life education our children and their contemporaries receive whilst at school couldn’t be more important to me. I am passionate to ensure all children have as many opportunities to be involved in the learning that takes place at school and for that learning to be as enriched as possible and delivered in a happy and safe environment which has the well being of all of the children at its heart. Professionally I am an insolvency partner in an international law firm. Working in the corporate world I recognise and deal with the challenges faced by many organisations. From policies to finances, the pressures education establishments face at present are staggering. Anything I can do to assist the Trust in delivering the best education to all children gives me the greatest satisfaction.
Lois Smith
I have lived in Walton for just over thirty-nine years and all of my three children have attended both Walton Infant School and Walton Junior School. I have had the privilege of working here at Walton Primary Academy as Lead Higher Level Teaching Assistant and have just recently retired after twenty-five years of service. I can truly say that I know the school very well, all that it stands for and what it strives to be. A school where inclusion is a given, and all pupils have the same opportunities to thrive and reach their true potential.
Rebecca Woods
I have two children within school, and am now a non-practising solicitor working in legal education, within a university apprenticeship team training aspiring Solicitors. Having also been a primary school governor in Kirklees, I appreciate many of the wide-ranging challenges faced by schools, and have experience of working as part of a team to both question and support senior school leaders. I firmly believe that all children, whatever their strengths and passions, should be provided with a stimulating and supportive environment so they may flourish. I am excited to be able to support the school in delivering its core vision and ethos, and make the most effective use of stretched resources to allow all of our children receive the best education possible.
Rebecca Marshall