Our Governors

The role of the governing body

The role of the governing body is a strategic one and involves three core functions:

• ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction

• holding the Headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the performance management of staff

• overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.

Who can become a governor?

Anyone over the age of eighteen may apply to become a governor. Parent governors are chosen by the parents themselves. One governor has to be approved by the Local Authority but does not have to work for the Local Authority. Staff governors are elected by the staff and co-opted governors with a range of skills are invited to join the governing body by the governors.

How do we carry out our work?

Our full governing body meets every month. At these meetings we report, review and plan on a wide range of issues. The agenda for each meeting is agreed in advance and it is timed. Key staff members attend the meetings in order to report to Governors. The School Business Manager attends all meetings to provide finance updates and give the Governors an opportunity to scrutinise the budget. The pay committee meets once a year with the Headteacher. The chair of governors meets 1:1 with the eadteacher on a regular basis. Minutes of all governor meetings are kept in the office and are available for people to read if they request them. Minutes containing confidential information are kept separately.

Each member of the governing body has roles and responsibilities. Governors make formal visits to school either individually, or sometimes working as a pair, to monitor their areas of responsibility. These visits are arranged beforehand with the Headteacher and a written record is circulated to all governors following these visits. Governors also visit the school informally to attend special assemblies or school events. This way they get to know the pupils and staff and can see the school in action. Governors are also available for an informal chat at Parents’ Evenings.

How can you contact the governors?

You can contact the Clerk to Governors via the School Office or by emailing clerk@woottonpri.iow.sch.uk. Any concerns you have about your child’s education should always be raised with the class teacher and/or the Headteacher in the first instance.

 

 

Jane Wilford

19/04/2017- Present

Ex-Officio (Head Teacher) 

 

My name is Jane Wilford and I am the Headteacher at Wootton Community Primary School. I have been a part of the education system since leaving school many years ago, first working as a Nursery Nurse before moving onto teaching. Since moving to the Island, I have taught across the whole Primary range before becoming a Specialist Leader of Education. This role enabled me to work with colleagues from many island schools before joining Greenmount Primary as a Deputy Head. I am excited to be leading the school forward as we begin a new exciting phase working with the whole school community.

Maria Herbert (Chair of Governors)

19/10/22 – 18/10/26

Co-Opted Governor

Hello, my name is Maria Herbert, I am a retired Headteacher and now a full time Grandma.

I am married with 3 grown up daughters and 5 (so far) grandchildren, one of whom attends Wootton. I have lived and worked on the Island all my life and since qualifying as a teacher in 1986 have worked in all stages of Primary education.

I am passionate about education and ensuring all children reach their full potential. I hope that my experience and knowledge in education can be used to support the continued growth of Wootton Primary School.

I am really looking forward to becoming part of the Wootton family and being involved in school life again.

Claire Sarr (Vice Chair of Governors)

16/11/21 – 15/11/25

Parent Governor

My name is Claire Sarr and I have been a parent governor since 2021. I live in Wootton and have two children who attend Wootton Community Primary School. I believe that Wootton is a fantastic school and I am proud to be part of the school community.
 
I work for the Isle of Wight Council and have done since 2010, and the experience I have gained through working for the Local Authority  has provided me with many skills that I can bring to the Governing Body.

Becki Kujabi

24/02/2022 – 23/02/26

Co-opted Governor 

I work at Little Herons Pre-school which is on the same grounds as Wootton Community Primary School where I have worked for nearly 20 years and lived in the village for the same amount of time. My daughter attended the school over 15 years ago, so over the years I have seen many children grow up into delightful young people and feel this is in part due to Wootton Primary School and the community feel and values it promotes.

Katherine Roberts

28/03/2022-27/03/2026

Parent Governor

My name is Katherine Roberts and I am a Parent Governor. I have one child at Wootton Primary School. I have worked in the secondary sector of the Island education system since 2004, thus having a wide knowledge of current educational issues which I can bring to the Governing Body.

Outside of my school life, I am an avid reader and cross stitcher and occasional tomato grower and camper.

Claire Jasper

27/09/2021 – 26/09/25

Local Authority Governor

I am the Local Authority appointed governor as well as a parent, I have one child who attends Wootton Community Primary School and another who is not yet at school, so I am invested in supporting the school to be the best it can be for all of our children. I feel it is a privilege to be able to contribute to the growth and development of the school and to see the benefits that this brings all the pupils who attend Wootton Primary.

Outside of school I have a background of working with children and adults within social care and work within other voluntary roles which gives me a broad range of skills, experience and knowledge to the role of governor.

Ed Hopper

19/07/21 – 18/07/25

Co-Opted Governor

 
My name is Ed Hopper and I have been a governor at the school since 2021. I live in Wootton, and am actively involved with St Mark’s Church on Station Road as a member of their PCC. I am also a Councillor on Fishbourne Parish Council.
 
I don’t have any children at the school (my daughters are now at secondary school) however I am delighted to be part of the governing body of such a fantastic educational establishment.

Theresa Gilbert

19/10/22 – 18/10/26

Staff Governor

I have worked at Wootton Community Primary School for the past 9 years, and prior to that I worked at Little Herons Pre-School. I live locally and all three of my children attending the school. I am passionate about inclusion and ensuring all children receive the opportunities that they deserve.

Denise Winterbottom 

20/03/2023 – 19/03/2027

My name is Denise Winterbottom. I live in Wootton and have grandchildren at Wootton Community Primary School.  I am retired after working for many years in the NHS.  I enjoy gardening and looking after my grandchildren.
 
I am very pleased and proud to be a governor at this lovely school.

Catherine Pye

Governance Professional

I am an experienced Governance Professional, having been Clerk to Governors since May 2013. I am also the School Business Manager and a member of the Senior Leadership Team.

My role as Clerk is to support the administrative functions of the Governing Body, to work closely with the Chair of Governors and Headteacher, and to act in an advisory capacity as the governance professional to ensure Governors are discharging their duties. I find the role of Clerk hugely rewarding and I enjoy working with our Governors who are committed to supporting the school and ensuring all our children receive the best possible education.