Upton Infants' School
Governors
The Governing Body of Upton Infant School would like to welcome all the users of this website. On this page, we aim to provide you with information and details of the tasks we undertake towards the successful running of the school.
We hope that the information provided throughout this website will provide evidence of how much we all believe and value not only academic achievement, but also how much the children are encouraged to achieve their potential, as well as demonstrating how happy, safe and secure they feel in their learning environment. The Governors are proud to be a proactive part of a very successful and dedicated team.
The Governing Body is always keen to meet and hear the view of both parents and pupils, and can be contacted via the school email address. Alternatively, contact details for Parent Governors can be found at the bottom of each school newsletter. Minutes for each meeting are held in school should anyone wish to read them.
The Governors are actively involved in school life in many ways from appointing staff, overseeing budgetary expenditure and ensuring a safe environment for staff and children. Committees (Finance and People and theCurriculum and Premises) meet twice termly, as do the full Governing Body.
There are 4 different types of Governors:
Parent Governors - Have or have had children at the school and are elected by other parents.
Local Council Governors (CSA) - Appointed by the local authority.
Community Governors - Elected by the Governing Body from the local community for their skills, knowledge or experience.
Staff Governors - Elected by the school staff in addition to the Headteacher.
GOVERNING BODY
Jayne French – Chair of Governors
Attends: Finance and People Committee
Appointment: CSA Governor
I have been a Governor since June 2004. I am currently serving my second year as the Chair of Governors, I previously chaired the Finance Committee. The role is interesting and varied and, at times, very challenging. Becoming a Governor allowed me to be involved in my childrens education but I have found that it has also been an education for me! To enable myself to be a active member of the Governing Body I have attended many local authority training courses including child protection, leadership, safer recruitment and extended schools agenda.
Andy Young - Vice Chair of Governing Body
Attends: Finance and People Committee (Chair)
Appointment: Parent Governor
I have been a governor since the end of 2007. Having previously served as a governor for 8 years at Upton Junior School I had some experience of what the position entails. I am a chartered accountant and this experience assists with my role as Chair of the Finance and People Committee. With two children at the school, I am as keen as any parent to ensure that the school provides the best opportunity to enable all the children to learn and develop. I hope that by acting as a governor, I can do my bit to help in this.
Nichola Pendlebury - Headteacher
Attends: All committees
Deborah Sanders
Attends: Curriculum and PremisesCommittee
Specialist Role: Literacy Governor
Appointment: Community Governor
I have been a governor for 19 years and take a special interest in Literacy throughout the school. I am married with 3 children who all attended the school. One of my children works in business, one is at univeristy and one is studying for A levels. My husband is a lawyer and I am a supply teacher and also give private music tuition. Being a governor for so long means I have seen a lot of changes, both in staff and ideas in education. Although being a governor entails giving up some of my spare time I thoroughly enjoy being involved with such a lovely school.
Janet Smith – Teaching Assistant
Attends: Finance and People Committee
Specialist Role: SEN Governor
Appointment: Staff Governor
I am the support staff governor and a teaching assistant. I have worked in the school for the past 10 years, in all the year groups and currently in Year 2. I feel very fortunate to work in such a happy, friendly school and in a job I love. I have a daughter in Year 11 at the Manor and am married to Mike who has recently taken early retirement.
Lorna Lawler
Attends: Curriculum and PremisesCommittee
Specialist Role: Science Governor
Appointment: Community Governor
I am married with 2 children and I have a grandaughter in the Owls class. My husband is a lecturer at Poole College and I trained as a mature student to gain my teaching qualifications. I worked as a primary teacher in London for 7 years before moving to the area in 1999. I have also studied holistic therapies. I still tutor children in numeracy and literacy after school. I previously served as a teacher governor at my last school and hope that my experience will be useful in my new role as Science governor.
Caroline Nobbs
Attends: Curriculum and PremisesCommittee
Specialist Role: Foundation Governor
Appointment: Parent Governor
I was appointed as a Parent Governor when my youngest son started in Reception. I have two boys. My eldest is now about to enter Year 9 at Lytchett Manor. I work part time hours for a local law firm and have experience of most areas of general practice. I also have experience with learning and behaviour difficulties. I have a keen interest in music and drama and belong to a society where I regularly perform and direct. I also enjoy gardening and sewing. Becoming a Governor has enabled me to have insight in to school life and to understand what has to happen to enable our children to get the best start in an educational environment. One of our duties is to visit the school and take part in lessons and activities that the pupils are involved in, a rewarding experience every time and I look forward to the coming year and in my role as Governor of PHSE and Creative work.
Tracey Griffiths-Marks
Attends: TBA
Appointment: Parent Governor
Rachel Stirling
Attends: TBA
Appointment: Parent Governor
I have enjoyed being a parent governor since Oct 08. I have attended a few courses and due to attend more to gain further knowledge in my role within the finance and people committee. Living in Upton, I have two daughters attending Upton Infants, one in the Squirrels and my youngest in the Owls. Whilst working for Barclays I also help in the owls class on Thursday mornings - guess which is the most fun!
As a parent govenor, please feel free to contact me should you have any concerns that you may want to discuss or for me to raise on your behalf.
Robin Morgan
Attends: TBA
I have worked in the Upton area since April 2006 as one of the Safer Neighbourhood Officers for Dorset Police. I am also a governor at the Junior school and bring with me knowledge of school finances and accounting. I have knowledge of many community groups in the Upton area and I hope that this knowledge will help me to contribute to the lives of the children here at Upton Infant school.
