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Governors

Welcome to the Whitecote Governing Body

We are delighted to welcome you to our governing body and to our school. At Whitecote Primary School we are very fortunate to have a dedicated team of governors.  We believe that effective school governance is at the centre of a good school.  We do all we can to promote and develop our governors to be skilled in their role as key strategic decision makers and vision setters.

Motto, Vision and Ethos

Our school motto is INSPIRE, NURTURE and ACHIEVE.  The governors believe that our vision is reflective of our pupils, families, staff and wider community and we are proud to be developing a curriculum that encompasses the ethos and values of our school.

At Whitecote, our pupils know that success comes with hard work and perseverance.  Through teaching that goes beyond the curriculum they are able to fulfil their potential and achieve.  Once a Whitecote pupil, you are always a part of the Whitecote family.

Learning is at the very heart of everything we do at Whitecote Primary School and we work really hard to make sure that all our children are excited and curious about the world about them and develop the life skills they will need to be happy, successful, confident and resilient young people. 

Parents and Community

We are extremely proud of the school, its pupils and staff.  Expectations of standards at Whitecote have risen over the past couple years due to a tenacious approach in improving the quality of teaching, learning and pastoral support for our children.  The children are well behaved and keen to learn as they feel safe, supported and secure in our school.  Parents and Carers understand they have an important role to fulfil in supporting our aims and aspirations for their children ad are encouraged to play an active part in school life.  We work closely with the Bramley Cluster and other agencies to provide support for children and families who need it.

We have lots of opportunities to become involved, through our Friends of Whitecote and community groups, please get in touch with the school office for further information.

Meet the Governors

The Governing Body of Whitecote Primary School have an important role to play in supporting the strategic direction of school. The Governors act as a critical friend, whilst providing challenge and facilitating debate with School Leaders to ensure children at Whitecote achieve the best possible progress in their learning.  We have professional curiosity and interest in the curriculum and how the school delivers high quality learning to our pupils.

Our governing body consists of 11 governors and they serve a term of office for four years. The main aim of our governors is to ensure that school provides an outstanding education and progress to all its children and to improve standards. 

We have wide range of skills and backgrounds which makes the governing body an interesting mix of people who all share the same drive to support school improvement.

The Governing Body constitution consists of 11 Members:       

  • Headteacher
  • 2 Parent representatives
  • 1 Local Authority representative
  • 1 Staff representative
  • 7 Co-opted representatives
Chair

Ms Suzi Delahunty  

Headteacher                     

Mrs Frances Stead (ex-officio)

Parent Representatives

Mrs Katie Nield (Vice Chair)

Mrs Lucy Barr

Staff Representative

Mrs Helen Burling

Co-opted Representatives
  • Mr Jason Askham
  • Mr Dan Marcus
  • Mr Carl Morton
  • Mr Chris Tatham                      

LEA Representative

Cllr Kevin Ritchie

We are recruiting new co-opted governors to further strengthen our skills set.

Areas of Monitoring Responsibility

The governors share the responsibility to monitor key areas of school.  Feedback is given at committee and full governing body meetings regularly.  Governors regularly visit school and speak with staff, children and parents.

 

  • Complaints - Jason Askham (please see our complaints process and contact school office "for attention of Jason Askham")
  • Child Protection, Safeguarding & Children Looked After - Lucy Barr
  • SEND and RSE - Lucy Barr
  • Behaviour & Attendance - Jason Askham
  • Curriculum and Equalities - Suzi Delahunty
  • Equalities - Helen Burling 
  • Health and Safety - Katie Nield
  • Bramley Cluster and GDPR - Cllr Kevin Ritchie
  • Pupil Premium - Suzi Delahunty
  • Sports Funding - Katie Nield 
  • Wellbeing - Dan Marcus 
  • Early Years Foundation Stage - Kevin Ritchie
  • Early Reading and Phonics - Kevin Ritchie

Training - Louise Daddy (School Business Manager) 

Website Compliance (School Business Manager) 

Governors' Declaration of Interests

Kevin Ritchie - Elected Member of Leeds City Council

Committees

The governors have three committees which allow for further in-depth discussion on key areas of the school.  The governing body is split into three committees, who undertake projects under delegated authority from the main body.

The committees are as follows:

  • Resources (Finance, Personnel and Buildings)
  • Teaching, Learning and Inclusion

Committee Members

Teaching, Learning and Inclusion
  • Dan Marcus (Chair)
  • Frances Stead
  • Suzi Delahunty
  • Jason Askham
  • Kevin Ritchie
  • Helen Burling
  • Katie Nield
  • Lucy Barr
Resources
  • Chris Tatum (Chair)
  • Frances Stead
  • Carl Morton
  • Katie Nield
  • Helen Burling
Pay Committee 
  • Suzi Delahunty
  • Lucy Barr
  • Katie Nield
Pay Appeal Committee 
  • Kevin Ritchie
  • Dan Marcus 

Our governing body is supported by a local authority clerk.