Meet the Governors

rob_crosson

Welcome to the meet the Governors webpage, from feedback which we received from parents and carers there seems to be little understanding as to the role of the governors and the governing body at Whitehouse Common Primary School. I hope that this page will help to increase that understanding.

The Governing Body at Whitehouse Common primary School is made up of members of the local and school community. There are 18 members on our governing Body. The governing body works closely with the Headteacher, who is responsible for the day to day management of the school. The governing body is part of the school leadership team, responsible for strategic planning and policy development. They work as a team to make sure the school provides a good quality education for all its pupils and we:

support the school, but not uncritically
explain its policies to parents and the community
help to settle its disputes, fairly and conscientiously
oversee its policies and its use of resources and finances

The governors at Whitehouse Common Primary School work as an effective team, we get together as a full body for a meeting once a term and are also working with the school as either governors with defined responsibilities or as committee members.

For information on becoming a governor, click here or scroll to the bottom of the page.

Committees

The Governing Body operates 4 committees:

Finance, Personel, Staffing and Salaries. This committee helps to control the annual school budget which is in excess of £1million.
Curriculum. This committee works with the heads of the curriculum areas and the teaching staff on standards of student achievement, teaching and learning including the provision of Special Educational Needs.
Health and safety. Advises the governing body on general safety policies and recommends steps to be taken to ensure that everything feasible is done to promote the safety of staff, students and authorised visitors on the school premises, and that relevant legal obligations are complied with. .
Happy Hometime Club. The not for profit Before and After school club.

Governors

The governors at Whitehouse Common Primary School are as follows:

rob crosson

Name: Rob Crosson

Position: Chair of Governing Body, Foundation Governor

Committees: Finance, Curriculum, Health and Safety, SEN, Pay

I have been a governor for 10 years and Chair for the last 5 years.

I applied to be a Local Authority Governor in 2003 and was lucky enough to be allocated to Whitehouse Common. I wanted to be a governor to return some of the support I received during my schooldays. I was also, for the first time in my career, able to commit the time to do something for the community.

I am am constantly amazed at the energy and enthusiasm the staff consistently demonstrate whilst facing the successive challenges that come with that shared vision of improving the experience of every single child during their time at Whitehouse Common.

I suppose the highlight of the last few years is that I have been able to accompany the children on educational visits and on their residential visits to Howtown sharing their experience of learning in a completely different environment.

I am also a National Leader of Governance; a role that allows me to support other Chairs of Governors who are new, inexperienced or just struggling to build an effective Governing Body.

Chair of governors at Maney Hill School.

mrs d allen drawn Name: Mrs D Allen

Position: Head Teacher

Since commencing work at Whitehouse Common Primary School in January 2009, I have enjoyed working with all of the school community. Schools governors have gained a cumulative degree of responsibility over the years and here, as in all schools, their role has become increasingly important as schools have gained more independence for their management from local authorities. This has been particularly relevant since we changed status to that of a Foundation school in May 2013 and successfully formed a co-operative trust with six other local schools.

The governors here take their great responsibility for the financial and other management of the school very seriously, and have a key role in setting strategic direction, ensuring accountability and acting as a sounding board to myself, the head teacher.

I have a range of experience in both business and education and enjoy working in our diverse community that enriches all our lives. For me, working with children, and for the future of our children is most purposeful and rewarding.

Name: Colin Philpott

Position: Chair of Finance Committee, Local Authority Governor

Link / Training Governor

Committees: Finance, Health and Safety, SEN, HHC, Pay

I became a LEA Governor in 2001 & was delighted to be allocated to Whitehouse Common Where both my children started their School days 25 years ago. WHC gave them a very good start & it is great to be part of the fast moving, hard working School of today.

I am Chair of the Finance & Personnel Committee and my experience of working as an Accountant for B'ham Council is useful for making the most of the School budget and helping to plan for the future.

Name: Chris Harris

Position: Co-opted Governor

Committees: Health, Safety and Premises (Chair), Happy Hometime Club (Chair), Finance and Personnel, Vice Chair to Governors

I feel very privileged to be a Co-Opted Governor at Whitehouse Common as this is where I began my learning journey some years ago. I have been very grateful for the solid foundations I was able to develop as an individual, something I feel is really important for all children.

I have two boys who both attend school, one in reception and one year three and they thoroughly enjoy themselves which this is a common and positive theme I have noticed at Whitehouse Common, something I believe really aids children's development and learning.

As a Senior Manager in the National Health Service, I have spent many years working within the diverse communities of the West Midlands, observing and being part of the richness these provide to all of our lives. Health education is one area where schools, which sit at the heart of communities could add real value to the wider population into the future.

As a forward thinking school I look forward to being part of the future plans, and hope to be able to bring some of my experience and knowledge from the public sector to the school to ensure all of our children have the best possible start in life.

Name: Martine Cowdery

Position: Staff Governor

Committees: Finance

I have been a support staff governor for eleven years, seeing the school through amalgamation in 2000. Having worked for the Education Department for twenty seven years, I have a wealth of experience to offer. I have been a HLTA for three years and enjoy the flexability it offers, it allows me to teach in key stage 1 and key stage 2. I have a BA Hons degree in Early Years and that is where my heart lies.

Declared pecuniary interest: Sister's company is Guardian a company the school have/may use to add film to glass windows.

Name: Paul Carroll

Position: Co-opted Governor

Committees: Curriculum

I was fortunate enough to be elected as a Parent Governor at Whitehouse Common in October 2012.

I serve on the curriculum committee.

I have 3 children at the school, a boy and two girls.

I really enjoy being a part of ‘our’ school, and look forward to its continuing successes over the coming years.

In my professional life I run a successful business. I am also a part time lecturer at the University of Birmingham.

Name: Claire Wheeler

Position: Parent Governor

Committees: Health and Safety

I was elected as a parent governor in October 2011 and in 2016 became a co-opted governor. I serve on the Health and Safety committee and the curriculum committee.

I have a little boy who started Whitehouse Common in September 2011 and a little girl who started the school in September 2013. I attended Whitehouse Common Primary school myself in the 80's and have some wonderful memories of my time there. I am passionate about educational standards and the important role a parent plays in the partnership within a school. I welcome this opportunity to continue to help the school succeed for the benefit of all our children, representing parents as well as supporting the Head Teacher and staff in decisions that will affect our children's education now and in the future.

I have been a teacher myself for more than 20 years in a local Infant school in Sutton Coldfield.

Name: Fiona Milward

Position: Deputy Head Associate Member

Committees: Finance, Curriculum

As Deputy Head, I am extremely proud and privileged to be able to play a key role in maintaining and developing the excellent reputation that Whitehouse Common Primary School has amongst the local community. We have a superb and highly committed team of governors and an extremely enthusiastic, hard working, dynamic and talented group of staff. We all share a common vision and set of goals for the school’s future and so it is a real privilege to be able to work with them all to help make our great school even better.

Our desire is that every child who attends our school should reach their potential and this ideal is the foundation of everything that we do. The children never cease to amaze us with what they can achieve, as anyone who has ever been fortunate enough to visit one of our assemblies or events (such as our fiftieth anniversary) would agree. I therefore consider myself extremely fortunate that my two daughters attend this school and it is fantastic to see them benefiting from the high quality and rounded education that we offer.

chris sturridge packer Name: Chris Sturridge-Packer

Position: Parent Governor

Committees:

I was elected as a Parent Governor in November 2017 and I am the proud father of a son who attends Whitehouse Common Primary School. As a parent, I have found the School to be an inviting and supportive environment, which keeps high standards.

I grew up in Sutton Coldfield and attended local primary and secondary schools. I am now a Solicitor and have worked in the legal profession for 10 years. As a Parent Governor, I will contribute to the continued achievement of the school by drawing on my expertise and experiences. I hope this will be to the benefit of the School's leadership, staff, but most importantly the children, in what is a crucial stage in their development.

Michael_Dixon Name: Michael Dixon

Position: Co-opted Governor

Committees: Finance

Having had three children attend the school (currently 1 in yr9 1in yr7 and 1 in yr5), and being involved in helping the PTA encouraged me to stand as a parent governor in November 2013. I have seen how the school develops our children’s education and prepares them ultimately for their next steps.

I currently sit on the finance committee, which offers a great insight into how the school is working to meet the challenging demands of a limited school budget. I also sit on the Happy Hometime Club Committee.

I am the named governor for science and numeracy, and I try to meet regularly with the Numeracy and Science leads to find out how these areas of the curriculum are delivered and assessed. I have been lucky enough in recent years to be invited to talk to many of the year groups about many different aspects of my work as a dentist, as well as visiting my link class.

Within my role as Science Governor I regularly meet up with other science governors linked to the Ogden Trust, an organisation that provides a great deal of support and sponsorship to help further the role of science, particularly physics in education.

I am particularly keen to promote opportunities within the science curriculum, to encourage our pupils to look at an interest and hopefully careers in the STEM subjects (Science, Technology and Mathematics).

Name: Lesley Hopkins

Position: Co-opted Governor

Committees: Curriculum

I have taught for over twenty years in a range of primary schools across the north of Birmingham. More latterly, I moved into higher education, firstly at University College Birmingham and for the past seven years at Birmingham City University (BCU). My role here includes assessing trainee teachers in practice. Therefore, I am very familiar with Whitehouse Common Primary School as it is one of my designated schools as Faculty Tutor.

When I visit the school, I am always impressed by the warmth, professionalism and dedication of the staff. The children are always placed at the centre of the learning experience and are motivated by the wonderful resources and environment that Whitehouse Common offers. My particular interests are literacy and early years.

I volunteered to be a governor in September 2013 as part of BCU's partnership with the Four Oaks Learning Trust for Excellence. I was delighted when the Deputy Head of School at BCU told me I had been allocated Whitehouse Common.

miss h breeze Name: Harriet Breeze

Position: Staff Governor

I joined Whitehouse Common Primary School in 2004 and thoroughly enjoy being part of the staff team. I have been able to teach in all key stages of the school and currently lead the Early Years Foundation Stage. I have successfully led Religious Education and now also lead Computing, securing secure our first ICT Mark in 2012. I look forward to playing a strategic role in continuing to strive for excellence, for all our children, in my role as governor.

Name: Sarah Burton

Position: Parent Governor

Committees: Health and Safety

I am a mum to two daughters who both attend Whitehouse Common School.Their love for Whitehouse Common and the excitement and happiness they display is infectious. This is one of my reasons for becoming a parent governor, ensuring that like my daughters other children enjoy positive experiences and thrive throughout their school life. I have been employed in the public sector for 21 years. I have worked in partnership with a variety of organisations, and have seen first hand how vital a positive school environment is in shaping a young person's future.It is a privilege to serve as parent governor and Inclusion governor at Whitehouse Common School, providing support to both staff and children to ensure that Whitehouse Common continues to provide an outstanding education for our children.

Name: Lucy Parkes

Position: Staff Governor

I am very proud to become a staff governor here at WHCPS.

I have been a part time teacher here for the past six years and in that time I have been fortunate enough to teach in most of the year groups, working with fabulous children and very talented and dedicated staff.

In the eighteen or so years of teaching before my time at Whitehouse Common I have worked in many other Sutton schools – I loved them all…. but Whitehouse Common is a very special place!

I am looking forward to seeing how, in my new role as a staff governor, I can further work towards the provision of an outstanding school for our children.

Governor's Register of Interests

Name	Type of Governor	Office	Term	Committee(s)	Registered Interests	Safeguard Training Safer Recruitment Training Attended
Rob Crosson	Foundation	Chair of Governors	2013 - 2017	Finance & Personnel Curriculum Health & Safety SEN Pay	Chair of Governors at Maney Hill School National Leader of Governance	Safeguarding Training & Safer Recruitment Training
Debbie Allen	Head Teacher			Finance & Personnel Curriculum Health & Saftey SEN HHC Pay	Staff Member	Safeguard Lead (DSL) Safer Recruitment Training
Colin Phillpot	Local Authority	Chair of Finance	2013 - 2017	Finance & Personnel Health & Saftey SEN HHC Pay	None	Safeguarding Training & Safer Recruitment Training
Lisa Maugham	Co-opted		2014 -2018	Curriculum	Staff Member	Safeguarding Training
Harriet Breeze	Staff		2016 - 2019		Staff member	Safeguarding Training
Lesley Hopkins	Co-opted	Chair of Curriculum	2013 - 2017	Curriculum	Birmingham City University	Safeguarding Training
Chris Harris	Co-opted / Parent	Vice Chair of Governors Chair of HHC Chair of Health & Safety	2014 - 2017	HHC Health & Safety	Parent of children attending HHC	Safeguarding Training (NHS)
Paul Carroll	Co-opted		2013 - 2017	Curriculum	None
Mike Dixon	Co-opted		2013 - 2017	Finance & Personnel	None
Sarah Burton	Parent/SEN		2014 - 2018	Health & Safety Inclusion	None
Claire Wheeler	Parent		2011 - 2015	Health & Safety	Teacher Governor at Walmley Infant School	Safeguarding Training
Martine Cowdery	Staff		2012 - 2016	Finance Health & Safety	Guardian Window Films	Safeguarding Training
Fiona Milward	Associate Member	No Voting Rights	2014 - 2018	Finance Curriculum	None	Safeguarding Training (Deputy DSL)
John Horne	Associate Member	No Voting Rights	2014 - 2018	Health & Safety	Married to staff member