WHITNASH PRIMARY SCHOOL
'Learning, growing and succeeding together'

Langley Road, Leamington Spa, Warwick, CV31 2EX
E-mail: admin2324@welearn365.com

HEADTEACHER
Mrs D Ellison
Welcome to our website ...We are a GOOD School
Meet the Governors
Contacting the governing body
The governing body is always happy to discuss its work with members of the school community and members of the board are often in and around school when informal contact can be made. Governors also attend major functions and parent’s evenings during the year when conversations about their work or issues of general interest can be discussed. Failing this the Chair of governor’s can be contacted in writing via the school address.
Issues or queries relating to the overall provision of education are professional matters for the headteacher and all queries should be referred to her for discussion and resolution. The headteacher makes herself readily available to discuss concerns with parents and governors feel sure that issues can be speedily resolved through this route. In the rare event that this approach is not able to resolve the issue satisfactorily the governing body has adopted a complaints procedure which can be found under the policies section of this website. The Chair of governors will only become involved in individual issues of concern as part of the due procedure set out in this policy.
The role of the Governing Body is to support the school in delivering the best education possible for the pupils. Governors are not responsible for the day-to-day running of the school (that's Mrs Ellison’s job) but to monitor and evaluate the school's progress and ensure accountability.
The Governors attend termly meetings to review the school development plan and discuss the quality of learning being provided for your children. Standards, teaching and learning, finance, health and safety and links with the community are also discussed.
The Governors serve for a period of four years and represent a variety of groups from the local community.
During the school year 2020/21 the governing body agree to work as a full body for all meetings in order to ensure that all new governors have a full understanding of all aspects of the life of the school.
Instrument of Governance
Governor Declaration of Interests 2021/22
Terms of Reference of the Full Governing Body Resources Meetings September 2021
Terms of Reference of the Full Governing Body Performance and Standards Meetings
September 2021
Terms of Reference - Pay Committee September 2021
Terms of Reference - Hearing and Appeals Committee
September 2021
The Governing Body 2021/22
Date Appointed:
Category of Governor:
Responsibilities:
December 2018
Parent Governor
Chair of Governors, Finances, Leadership, SEND, Health and Safety and Building Expansion
Kevin Mullis - Chair of Governors

I am a former pupil of 'Whitnash Combined', and have a son who started in reception in September 2018. For the past 15 years I have worked in refrigeration engineering and I am currently Technical Manager in this area of a national service provider. My interest in science, technology and engineering began at primary school age and I am very happy to see this is so well supported at Whitnash Primary.
I remember the values and sense of community from my time in the school (long ago as it seems!), and I'm delighted that the same feeling is present now. I believe a child's time at primary school is key to them taking the first steps in finding themselves and their place in society, and I'm grateful to have been given an opportunity to play some small part in this journey.
Avril James Dip.RSA - Vice-Chair
February 2019
Co-opted Governor
Vice-Chair, Finances, Pupil Premium
Date Appointed:
Category of Governor:
Responsibilites:

Hello My name is Avril James. I have just recently joined the governing body of Whitnash Primary School. I have been a resident of Leamington Spa for 30 years, I lived in Whitnash for seven of those years. I live reasonably local to the school on the Sydenham. I am self employed and have been for six years my business is offering Virtual Personal Assistant/secretarial support to small micro business and have a good background in business administration and bookkeeping. I was Chair of the Unit Management Committee of Leamington and Warwick Sea Cadets for five years and served as a uniformed instructor for approximately 10 years working with adults and children from 10 years of age.
I look forward to building a good working relationship with all the staff, governors, parents and children at Whitnash Primary School. My main priority at this time, is to get to know the school and its challenges. To ensure that the educational needs of our young people are provided.
Kate Hurst
September 2018
Parent Governor
Governor Communication, Pupil Premium
Date Appointed:
Category of Governor:
Responsibilities:
I am a mum of two young children, and my eldest started Whitnash Primary in 2017. For the last three years, since having my youngest child, I have been running my own business as a marketing consultant, working part-time to fit in with my family.
I believe that every child should have the opportunity to get a good education to support their future in a safe, inclusive and encouraging environment. The positive attitude and friendly nature of Whitnash was one of the things that appealed to us as a family and I am excited to be able to support the school going forward.

Date Appointed:
Category of Governor:
Responsibilities:
December 2018
Co-opted Governor
Safeguarding
Margarita Kaloghirou
"I am a mum of three children, who are all pupils at Whitnash Primary, and a legal professional.
Every child deserves to have their educational needs met and to feel safe in school. It is a privilege as a governor to be able to support the school as it continues to strive in its aim of "Learning, growing and succeeding together.""
Jeanette Livings
September 2019
Co-opted Governor
Policies
Date Appointed:
Category of Governor:
Responsibilities:

Hi, I am a mum of two Primary aged children and currently reside in North Leamington. For the past 20 years I have worked in the Technology Sector and more recently after having my children I have worked flexibly.
I am passionate about the education around STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths) subjects and have a particular interest in encouraging children (especially girls) to strive and enjoy these areas. I believe all children at Whitnash Primary school should receive a good education and are given the opportunity to thrive within their learning environment.
Zoe Munro
January 2022
Co-opted Governor
Curriculum
Date Appointed:
Category of Governor:
Responsibilities:
I am a mum of three small children - my eldest daughter started in reception in 2020 - and a secondary English teacher. I have taken a few years break to have children, but I am passionate about education and am really excited to bring my skills to Whitnash Primary School's Governing Body, helping our school to become outstanding.
I have experience as the Deputy Head of English, Gifted and Talented Co-ordinatior, teacher mentor and coach, and as the English Coordinator for year 6 into year 7.
A quote from my favourite book says 'we lived in the gaps between stories': my desire is that our Governing Body champions all our staff and children as we contribute to their stories of confidence, excellence, and progress.

Helen West
March 2022
Co-opted Governor
Date Appointed:
Category of Governor:
Responsibilities:

Staff Governors
Donna Ellison - Headteacher
Date Appointed:
Category of Governor:
Committee Membership
January 2016
Headteacher
Standards & Performance/Resources
I joined Whitnash Primary School in January 2016. Previously I was the Deputy Head at a large two-form entry school in Coventry, where I led on inclusion and curriculum development across the school. The school has made rapid gains since January and I am delighted to be working with a dedicated and professional team of governors and staff. In partnership with parents, we are committed to ensuring Whitnash Primary provides the best educational experience for our children.

Laura Simmons
Date Appointed:
Category of Governor:
Committee Membership
September 2017
Staff Governor
Standards and Performance/Resources

Clerk to the Governors
Stephanie Bell
I joined Whitnash governors as a clerk in September 2018, after attending a meeting as a supply clerk and really enjoyed it.
I am also clerk to governors for four primary schools in Stratford-upon-Avon. In the daytime I am a Teaching Assistant at a Primary School in Years 5 and 6. I am looking forward to working with such a dedicated and determined Governing Body.