About our school
Governors
The Governing Board of West Hill Primary School has the responsibility of setting the vision, ethos and strategic direction of this outstanding school. It is their role to set the schools strategic framework and to ensure all statutory duties are met. They hold the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils and the performance management of staff. They also oversee the financial performance and ensure the school’s money is well spent.
The governors are made up of a cross section of the local community, parents, staff and community representatives, who voluntarily give their time and services to the school. This cross section of influence allows the Governing Board to maintain the character of the school and its great relationship with the local community. Please read Governor Code of Conduct for more information.
The full Governing Board meet monthly with lead roles taken on and coordinated by specific governors. The Governing Board have specific duties and legal responsibilities in respect of the curriculum, discipline, finance, appointments and dismissal of staff, school premises, health and safety matters and for pupils with special educational needs.
The governors’ meetings are open to the public. Anyone wishing to attend must give prior notice of at least 7 calendar days. This can be reversed on a meeting to meeting basis, at the chair’s discretion, if there are clear and lawful reasons. This is reviewed annually at the first meeting of a new school year. Supporting the Governing Board is the Clerk to the Governors role. This role is part of the school administrative team and is on the school payroll. You can contact the Clerk to the Governors on the following email address clerk@west-hill-primary.devon.sch.uk.
The new governors process is really important to the Governing Board and the following ‘new governor induction checklist’ gives a summary of the support and help that will be given over the first few months in the role. The Governor Privacy Notice explains how we use governor, associate member and clerk information collected when joining the Governing Board.
The following list shows the current school governors (governance roles work over a period of four years after which time positions are re-elected)
Cheryl Boulton | Head teacher/Director of the SMILE Learning Trust | I started teaching in 1993 and have worked with children from 4-11 year olds in 3 Infant schools and 3 Primary schools. As well as being a class teacher, I have held 2 Deputy Head positions, 1 Acting Head and 2 Headships. I enjoy working closely with the Governing Board for the strategic development of the school and feel very honoured to have such a strong set of governors at West Hill Primary School with their wide and varied skills. In my limited spare time, I enjoy keeping fit by cycling, attending gym classes and running half marathons and 10Ks. I have completed half marathons and several 10ks. I am also a keen baker with my speciality being muffins. |
Appointed by | Automatic appointment as Head | |
Date of Appointment - Term of Office | 01/09/2016 - n/a | |
Lead roles & Committee Memberships | Member of Admissions Committee (reserve) | |
Attendance 2022/23 | 7 out of 8 meetings | |
Register of Business Interests: | Husband's company undertakes occasional maintenance work for the school |
Steve Meredith | Parent Governor | Originally from Portsmouth, my family and I moved to Ottery St Mary after spending the past 8 years in the wonderful island of Jersey. I started my career at IBM and held various Consultancy and Management roles in the IT and Financial Services sectors, located in Portsmouth, London and Bermuda. I now run an ICT Training and Consultancy business servicing clients across the Middle East and Africa. I am also the founder of a start-up online training platform. I have 2 children at West Hill Primary School (WHPS) and as a parent governor I am delighted to bring my experience and enthusiasm to help support and improve the high standards of education for present and future pupils at WHPS. I enjoy spending time with my family and exploring our beautiful countryside at weekends. I am a keen golfer and enjoy long distance running (when time permits) having completed several Ultra marathons. I am also a rubbish cook! |
Appointed by: | Governing Board | |
Date of Appointment - Term of Office | 08/09/2021 - 4 Years | |
Lead roles/committee memberships | Premises and Health & Safety Lead; Science Lead; Member of Admissions Committee; Member of Finance Committee | |
Attendance 2022/23 | 7 out of 8 meetings | |
Register of Business Interests: | None |
Matthew Carpenter | Parent Governor | Originally from South Devon, I moved (nearly home) to West Hill via Warwick and London at the end of 2019. I have a daughter in year one and another currently terrorising West Hill Pre School. I continue to commute to the capital where I work as a solicitor specialising in planning, environment, energy and infrastructure. I am very community minded and, as a Parent Governor, relish the opportunity to bring my skills, experience and enthusiasm to help support the fantastic West Hill Primary School. My professional work is highly focussed on engagement, collaboration and getting results – something I hope I could bring to a Parent Governor role. Locally, I currently coach West Hill Wasps Under 6 team and regularly assist with events organised by the Pre School where my wife acted as Chair until the end of 2022. In my spare time you will find me out and about with my family in the stunning Devon countryside (or taxiing to Ballet, Drama, Swimming, Gymnastics etc…). Otherwise, I’ll be running (struggling to train for my next marathon, half, or 10k..), playing football, skiing, kayaking or watching any sport I can get to. |
Appointed by: | Parents | |
Date of Appointment - Term of Office | 18/04/2023 - 4 Years | |
Lead roles/committee memberships | Personnel Lead; PE & Sport Lead; Gifted & Talented Lead; Member of Finance Committee; Member of Pay & Performance Committee | |
Attendance 22/23 | 3 out of 3 meetings (since May 2023) | |
Register of Business Interests: | None |
Lee Jordan | Foundation Governor | I work in contracting for the NHS, and am a non-practising solicitor |
Appointed by: | The SMILE Learning Trust | |
Date of Appointment - Term of Office | 28/09/2022 - 4 Years | |
Lead roles/committee memberships | Vice-Chair, Parent & Community Links Lead; RE Lead; Member of Pay & Performance Committee; Member of Headteacher Appraisal Committee | |
Attendance 2022/23 | 6 out of 8 meetings | |
Register of Business Interests: | None |
Bob Maskell | Foundation Governor | I have lived in East Devon all my life and attended King’s School in Ottery St. Mary in the early 70’s when it was still a Grammar School. |
Appointed by: | The SMILE Learning Trust | |
Lead roles/committee memberships | History Lead; Geography Lead; EYFS (inc. standards & assessments) Lead; Computing & Online Safety Lead; Design & Technology Lead; Member of Admissions Committee; Member of Headteacher Appraisal Committee; Member of SMILE Learning Trust; | |
Date of Appointment - Term of Office | 02/02/2022 - 4 Years | |
Register of Business Interests: | None | |
Attendance 2022/23 | 7 out of 8 meetings |
Elaine Fanson | Staff Governor | |
Appointed by: | Governing Board | |
Date of Appointment - Term of Office | 03/09/2023 - 4 Years | |
Lead roles/committee memberships | Member of Admissions Committee (reserve) | |
Attendance | ||
Register of Business Interests: | None |
Lisa Heard | LEA Governor | I am originally from North Devon but relocated to East Devon 10 years ago. I have lived in Aylesbeare since early 2020 and I have twin girls who currently attend West Hill Preschool. I was interested in taking a role that got me included in the local community as we moved here just before COVID, so it has been challenging to get involved and meet people. I am a Chartered Accountant (CIMA) who has worked in the NHS my whole career. I have held various roles but most recently in operational management (running A&E departments) and heading up the Devon Performance Improvement Team. I’m hoping the governance skills I’ve learnt in the NHS will help me in this role. My twins keep me busy and when I get some spare time I love to run the coast path and over Woodbury common. |
Appointed by: | Governing Board | |
Date of Appointment – Term of Office | 08.12.2021 - 4 Years | |
Lead Roles & Committee Membership | Finance Lead; Pupil Premium Lead; GDPR Lead; Maths (inc. standards & assessment); Member of Finance Committee; Member of Pay & Performance Committee | |
Attendance 2022/23 | 6 out of 8 meetings | |
Register of Business Interests | None |
Graham Harry | Co-opted Governor | I am a youth pastor in Ottery St Mary, and the surrounding villages, for TheO6 Project. A lot of my job is supporting schools in the area with mentoring, small support groups, lunchtime clubs and assemblies. Other projects include running a youth drop in for secondary school children and also setting up a Mentoring Project (XLM-Ottery). I am also a trained primary school teacher, specialising in History and I.C.T. Even though I have worked with children and young people for the past 25 years I originally started off in advertising selling advertising space for the East Devon News and the Express and Echo! My passion to support young people and a desire for them to be the best they can be will drive me in my role as Governor of West Hill Primary School. A lot of my personal time is revolved around family. I have four children (Chloe 27, Aimee 25, Millie 22 and Phoebe 11 years old) and 6 grandchildren. I live in Ottery St Mary. I enjoy spending time with them, going on walks, visiting English Heritage or National Trust sites and just having fun. I am a committed Christian and I attend the United Reformed Church in Ottery St Mary. I enjoy football – playing and watching. I love to cook and experiment often. I have a good sense of humour and I love a good laugh. |
Appointed by: | Governing Board | |
Lead roles/committee memberships | Chair; Attendance Lead; English (inc. standards & assessment) Lead; Member of Headteacher Appraisal Committee; Member of Finance Committee | |
Date of Appointment - Term of Office | 03/02/2021 4-years | |
Register of Business Interests: | None | |
Attendance 2022/23 | 7 out of 8 meetings |
Sara Lees | Co-opted Governor | I moved to Devon 10 years ago and have lived happily in Aylesbeare since 2017. My roles in employment have included working as a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner for the NHS, a Lecturer and Tutor within Higher Education and as a Support Worker for a domestic abuse charity. I hope to continue to support others through my role as a School Governor by promoting an environment in which children can thrive and fulfil their potential. I am currently a full-time parent to two wonderful children. My son attends West Hill Primary School and my daughter goes to nursery two days a week. In between running around after the children and our pet chickens, I like to swim, cook and support village events. |
Appointed by: | Governing Board | |
Date of Appointment – Term of Office | 09/11/2022 4-years | |
Lead roles/committee membership | SEND Lead; Wellbeing Lead; Deputy Safeguarding Lead; PSHE Lead; Member of Headteacher Appraisal Committee; Member of Admissions Committee | |
Attendance 22/23 | 6 out of 7 meetings (since November 2022) | |
Register of Business Interests |
Vacancy | Co-opted Governor | |
Appointed by: | Governing Board | |
Date of Appointment – Term of Office | ||
Lead Roles & Committee Membership | ||
Attendance | ||
Register of Business Interests |
Vacancy | Co-opted Governor | |
Appointed by: | Governing Board | |
Date of Appointment – Term of Office | ||
Lead Roles & Committee Membership | ||
Attendance | ||
Register of Business Interests |
Current Governor Vacancies
Co-opted Governor |
Co-opted Governor |
Past WHPS Governors who have resigned in the last year:
Governors who have resigned in the past 12 months | |
---|---|
Rachael Jewell | 08.02.2023 |
Lucy Samson | 15.11.2023 |