Governors
Meet the Governors of Helpringham Primary School
At Helpringham Primary School our Governors play an important role in the school community, supporting our staff and children to uphold the values and ethos which makes our school so special. Our aim is to be an effective governing body always adopting best practice and acting in the best interests of the school in everything that it does.
What we do
The Governing body is responsible for the strategic management of our school and makes decisions about a wide range of issues, including:
- Ensuring accountability
- Acting as a ‘critical friend’ to the Head Teacher
- Monitoring and evaluating the school’s progress
- Budgetary allocation and control
- Planning for the long term future of the school
- Setting the school’s aims and values
- Appointing senior members of staff including the Head Teacher
How are Governors appointed
There are several different groups responsible for appointing governors, although once appointed all governors essentially perform the same role.
- Co-opted governors are intended to represent the community served by the school and are appointed by the governing body itself.
- Local Authority governors are approved by the Local Authority and appointed by the governing body of the school.
- Parent governors usually have children at the school and have been elected to join the governing body by the parents. If it is not possible to fill a parent vacancy this way the governing body may appoint parents of primary school children at other schools.
- Staff governors are elected on to the governing body by staff at the school.
Sam Waite - Chair of Governors (Co-opted, Early Years)
Chair of Governors (Co-opted, Early Years)
I live in the village with my husband and 2 boys and chose to be a governor in order to give something back to the community in which I live. I am an early years consultant with Lincolnshire County Council with 15 years + experience within all sectors of the early years childcare and education. I am passionate about getting it right for children in those very early years and ensuring they have the very best start in life, which is why I volunteer as the early years governor at Helpringham school.
Mrs R Leighton - Headteacher
Headteacher
I am the Headteacher of our wonderful school. It is a joy to work such fabulous children and a brilliant staff team.
Mrs C Breckon - Governor (Co-opted, SEND)
Governor (Co-opted, SEND)
I am a retired Headteacher and have lived in Helpringham for over 30 years. My own children came to the school many moons ago!
I am one of the co-opted governors and have only one aim- to ensure that all the children at our school are happy, interested in the world, and reach their full potential. I look forward to working with the Headteacher and staff to ensure that this can be achieved for everyone.
Mr G Hotchkin - LEA Governor
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LEA Governor
I started my formal education in April 1947 in Miss Green’s Infant Class at Helpringham School, leaving the school in July 1953 My two daughters attended the school in the 1970s/80s and my grandson from 2004-2011.
I have been a Governor of the school for around 25 years, and have just stepped down as Chairman, which I was privileged to be for a number of years working with three different Headteachers.
For several years I was a Governor of Kesteven and Sleaford High School and Chairman for 6 years. I have also been a Parish Councillor for a number of years and I am currently Chairman of the East Midland NFU Sugar Beet Forum.
Mrs S Taylor - Staff Governor
Staff Governor
I am a teaching assistant in KS2 at the school.
Mr M Lennard - Governor (Parent)
Governor (Parent)
I live in the village with my wife (a former school pupil) and two daughters who both attend the school. I am a chartered geologist with a background in maths, science and the environment. We are lucky to have such an excellent and thriving school on our door-step and I feel very privileged to be able to support the continued success of the school through my role as parent governor.
Governor (Co-opted)
Pat Penistan - Clerk to the Governors
Clerk to the Governors
Pat is an experienced Clerk to Governors and this is her second school in this role. She has been at Helpringham for the last 4 years.
Declaration of Interests
No Governor has any interests to declare
Mrs Susie Willis - Governor
I live in the village and my son attends the school. I'm looking forward to working closely with the Headteacher the Governing Body to ensure the best outcomes for our children.
Mr Dominic Holtam - Governor
Having been born and raised in the county, my family moved to Helpringham ten years ago. Helpringham School has provided a wonderful, caring educational environment for our son and daughter. In return I wanted to offer my knowledge and professional skills to support the staff to continue delivering high quality learning and valuable life experiences to the children in our community.