Meet the Governors
Words of Welcome from the Governors of Westgate Primary School
We are pleased to welcome you to our school website and hope you find information here both helpful and interesting.
The Governing body of Westgate Primary School are committed to working in partnership with the Headteacher and other school staff to promote high standards of educational achievement and pastoral care.
What do we do?
We work in partnership with the whole school, and particularly the Head, to ensure the success of the school and raise standards. We:-
- Set strategic direction, objectives, targets and policies;
- Monitor and evaluate school performance, policies, plans and targets;
- Assist in the management of the school budget;
- Provide the Head Teacher with challenge and support;
- Participate in the appointment, conduct and discipline of the staff;
- Ensure that the school is accountable to the children and parents it serves, the local community, those who fund and maintain it as well as the staff we employ.
The whole governing body meets twice a term with one meeting focusing on Standards and Performance and the second meeting each term focusing on Resources. We adopted this format in 2021-22 to ensure that all governors were aware of the issues and and to avoid the need for individual governors being reliant on sub-committees feeding back after separate meetings.
Working parties are also appointed to carry out specific tasks such as looking at school publicity or reviewing the governor pages of the school website.
In addition ...
Each Governor is assigned to a curriculum subject within the school and this enables us to develop closer relationships with the teachers and the children so that we can gain a better understanding of the way in which the school works. Individual Governors are also responsible for particular areas (see above list of Governors).
What can parents talk to Governors about?
Anything! Governors can help with issues that affect the whole school, such as policies and targets. If you have any questions about one of the school's policies, or feel that some changes are needed, you are welcome to raise this with a Governor. All communications and correspondence are treated with confidentiality and a response will be given to any issues raised.
Part of the success of any school is the partnership that is built between parents and the school; for that reason the Governors are very keen to receive you views. It is your children who attend the school and benefit from what it can offer. If you have any questions, ideas or tips you would like to share, please let us know. Your suggestions or tips can be included in the next Governors' Newsletter if you wish.
If you have a specific concern or complaint we would encourage you to speak to a teacher or the Head first, but if you are unwilling to do this, for any reason, please speak to a Governor.
How do you contact a Governor?
Governors attend parent evenings and are there to answer your questions. Please take time to chat with them. Without your feedback, our discussions cannot take account of your views.
All Governors can be contacted via the school office by leaving a note, or if you would like to contact the governing body as a whole you can email us at admin2322@welearn365.com.
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We run two meetings a term with all governors in attendance. A performance and standards focused meeting takes place in the first half-term and a resources focused meeting takes place in the second half-term of each term. We moved away from sub-committees as the adopted structure ensures that all governors hear all of the information and are not reliant on sub-committees feeding back.
Name | Governor Type | Term From | Term To | Curriculum Link /Role |
Dr Reza Ali | Co-opted governor | 28 March 2020 | 27 March 2024 | Chair of Governors Headteacher Performance Management Maths
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Professor Vikki Locke | Parent governor | 8 December 2020 | 7 December 2024 | Vice-Chair of Governors Computing
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Mrs. Margaret Gayler | Local Authority governor | 14 September 2020 | 13 September 2024 | Headteacher Performance Management Pay Committee Health and Safety WOOSH History and Geography
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Mr. Chris Hudson | Co-opted governor | 8 December 2020 | 7 December 2024 | Science |
Mrs. Katie Reeves | Parent governor | 5 September 2022 | 4 September 2026 | Safeguarding and CLA SEND and Inclusion
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Rev. Jonathan Hearn | Co-opted governor | 8 December 2020
| 7 December 2020 | Religious Education |
Mrs. Helen Evans | Co-opted governor | 8 December 2020
| 7 December 2024 | Languages |
Mrs. Kate Sahota | Co-opted governor | 5 September 2022
| 4 September 2026 | English Mental wellbeing |
Mrs. Camille Sethi
| Parent governor | 5 May 2022
| 4 May 2026 | PE |
Mr. Matthew Watson | Headteacher (Ex-Officio) | 4 September 2018
| Employed at school | |
Mrs. Natasha Wormington | Staff governor | 3 September 2021
| Employed at school | |
Mrs. Maureen Matthews | Staff governor | 3 September 2022
| Employed at school |
Reza Ali - Chair of Governors
Name | Dr Reza Ali |
Type of Governor | Co-opted Governor |
Term of Office | 28 March 2020 – 27 March 2024 |
Background | I am an Associate Professor and Mechanical Engineer. I have spent over 20 years as an academic and Research Engineer at the Universities of Coventry and Warwick working with a wide range of Universities, large Industrial and Research companies and Institutions across the UK and Internationally. I also have a long and established teaching background at Secondary, Further and Higher Education with a particular focus on STEM. |
Governance Experience | I have been a governor at Westgate for a number of years now, initially as a parent governor and latterly as a co-opted Governor. I have been involved across Performance and Standards, supporting the school to help to achieve the best outcomes for the children and developing staff. |
Hobbies & Interests | Spending time with my children, being outdoors running and (watching) Rugby and Cricket. |
Links to the school area | I have lived in Warwickshire for over 20 years. |
Why did you become a governor | I wanted to help support the school and children to achieve their full potential and contribute to the wider community. |
Professor Vikki Locke- Vice Chair of Governors
Name | Professor Vikki Locke |
Type of Governor | Parent |
Term of Office | 8 December 2020 – 7 December 2024 |
Background | I am a Professor at Loughborough Business School, Loughborough University where I specialise in online and classroom teaching methods and Project Management. I have degrees in Music and Related Arts (BA Hons), Education (MEd) and Management (PhD), and I started my career as a professional educator in 1990 and since then have taken on roles as a practitioner, designer, manager and consultant at every level of the education arena from pre-school to post-doc, on small- and large-scale projects, in the public and private sectors, and in the UK and abroad. I am also a mum with one child at Myton and one at Westgate. |
Governance Experience | I was previously a governor at Hazel Community Primary School in Leicester. |
Hobbies and interests | I am a keen musician and gardener, and enjoy cooking. I try to keep myself and my family as fit and healthy as possible. |
Links to the school area | Although my parents originate from the North and West Country, I have been living in the Midlands on and off for about 20 years. My husband, children and I moved to Warwick in 2015 and feel that this has become our ‘hometown’. |
Why did you become a governor | I became a governor because I want to give something back to my community and I feel that I have relevant experience that could be helpful. |
Matthew Watson - Headteacher
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Name |
Matthew Watson |
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Type of Governor |
Staff |
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Term of Office |
Since September 2018 |
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Background |
I have been a teacher for over 20 years and a deputy headteacher or headteacher for more than half of the time in a range of different schools from Loxley, with fewer than 50 children, through to St. Paul’s Primary School in Leamington Spa with over 360 children. I have been an Enhanced Deputy, and Acting Head, a Head of School and am currently the headteacher at Westgate Primary School. I have taught a range of age groups and led a wide range of subjects across my time in schools.I enjoy working with the Westgate Family as we are a happy and supportive community. This has become even more evident during our response to the COVID-19 pandemic. I count myself very lucky to lead such a talented, caring and hardworking staff team who always ‘go above and beyond.’ The size of the school allows us to know every child and family well. Westgate is a very happy school and one that I am proud to lead.
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Governance Experience |
I have been a governor in all of my previous schools from 2004. |
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Hobbies and interests |
Walking, reading, writing, rugby (watching now rather than playing following too many injuries) and spending time with my family.
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Links to the school area |
I attended Warwick University and then decided to stay locally. My wife also works at a school in Warwick and my son is a sixth form student in a local Warwick school. I love the history of the school and of Warwick generally. We are very lucky to be surrounded by such a lot of beautiful and historic buildings. We have close links with St. Mary’s Church and the Lord Leycester Hospital and I enjoy making links with local charities and businesses. We currently have a garden project link with Hill Close Gardens and are due to work with Warwick Castle to update some of our wooden play equipment in school.
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Why did you become a governor? |
To make a difference by working closely with fellow governors to bring about positive change for all of the children in our care. |
Margaret Gayler
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Name |
Margaret Gayler |
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Type of Governor |
Local Authority |
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Term of office |
13/09/2020 onwards |
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Background |
BA (Hons) English, PGCE. I have been a primary teacher for over twenty years and currently teach in a Warwickshire school.
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Governance Experience |
I have been a governor at Westgate for 13 years, and in that time have led the Performance and Standards Committee, served as Health and Safety Governor and have been closely involved in recruitment of staff. I have attended a wide range of training courses over 13 years including best practice in governance, Ofsted requirements, Financial responsibility in schools and succession planning for Governing Bodies.
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Hobbies and interests |
Piano, reading, volunteering with St Michael's Church Budbrooke, walking, the countryside.
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Links to the school area |
I have lived in Warwick for nearly twenty years and both my children went to Westgate. I was a member of the Friends and on the committee while they were there. Through St Michael's Church Make Lunch team I have links with all the teams providing support to families in the area.
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Why did you become a governor? |
As a parent, I wanted to contribute to the life of the school, and I remain committed to helping the school provide the best education and the best support and encouragement it can for every one of the children. |
Natasha Wormington
Name | Natasha Wormington |
Type of Governor | Staff |
Term of Office | September 2021 |
Background |
I have worked as a teacher for 11 years to date. 6 of them I have been an Assistant Head where I led the Curriculum and many areas of the school including EAL, Sports, Art, Maths, Lunchtimes and KS2. Since September, I was fortunate enough to take on the role as Deputy Head teacher and begin my new role as SENCO. Prior to me becoming a teacher, I worked within nursery settings and as a sales assistant. I live in Leamington, and in 2020, I had a daughter.
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Governance Experience | I was a staff governor at my previous school for 2 years.
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Hobbies and interests |
I love to be outdoors, spending time with my family and playing bingo.
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Links to the school area |
I have always lived locally in Leamington. I have friends and family who live within Warwick. I also have my husband’s family who attended Westgate Primary many year ago. |
Why did you become a governor? | To make a difference by working closely with the school community and fellow governors, bringing about a positive change to all pupils. |
Helen Evans
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Name |
Helen Evans |
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Type of Governor |
Co-opted |
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Term of Office |
4 years from December 2020 |
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Background |
I have worked for a Central Government Department for over 30 years, starting as a property surveyor, and after a series of corporate roles, I am now Head of Strategy. I’ve lived in Leamington and Warwick since 1989, and have 3 now almost grown up sons who have all been educated at local schools
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Governance Experience |
I was a parent governor at my sons’ primary school for 3 years
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Hobbies and interests |
I love to be outdoors, running or walking, and spending time with family and friends
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Links to the school area |
Long connection with Leamington and Warwick
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Why did you become a governor? |
Because I feel I have skills that I can use to support the school, and I’m really keen to give something back to the community
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Chris Hudson
Name | Chris Hudson |
Type of Governor | Co-opted |
Term of Office | 8/12/2020 onwards |
Background | I have spent over 25 years in the Logistics and Supply Chain industry working for large retailers such as Tesco and global third party logistics providers including 18 years with DHL. My functional expertise spans Operations, Commercial and Development roles both nationally and internationally. I hold a BA in Psychology and an MSc in HR and Industrial Relations. |
Governance Experience | This is my first step into a school governance role. I am looking forward to learning quickly, contributing positively and providing constructive support and guidance as appropriate within the remit of the role. |
Hobbies and interests | Cycling, Scrabble, Football |
Links to the school area | I have lived in Stratford-Upon-Avon for over 15 years. I have 2 sons, both educated locally and my wife works for NFU as an Management Accountant. |
Why did you become a governor? | Having two children of my own, I have seen at first-hand how they have flourished within high quality educational environments – this has driven positive outcomes, both in terms of academic achievement but just as importantly, framing and supporting their development as decent human beings. By contributing to the role as a Governor, I feel it is a privilege to bring a variety of experiences and competencies to the Westgate Primary School Board so that in some way, I can positively impact the lives of the children in the same way my own children have been impacted throughout their educational careers.
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Katie Reeves
Name | Katie Reeves |
Type of Governor | Parent Governor |
Term of Office | Since September 2022 |
Background |
I am a Head of Sixth Form and as well as teaching English I have worked as a SENDCo.
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Governance Experience | This is my first Governor role.
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Hobbies and interests |
I love nature and the outdoors. I run regularly and enjoy listening to History podcasts while I run, particularly ones about Ancient Britain.
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Links to the school area | I have a daughter at Westgate. I grew up in Warwick and love the town and its community.
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Why did you become a governor? |
I really want to advocate for Westgate. I think it is a wonderful school and hope that being a Governor helps me to share this with the wider community. |
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| Westgate Primary School Declarations of Interest |
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| This report contains the Declarations of Interest for:
- Current governors
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| Current Governors |
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Westgate Primary School Attendance | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Y = Attended, N = Apologies Accepted, NA = Apologies not Accepted, NS = No Apologies sent, ? = Attendance Not Marked, Blank = Not Required | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Further Information:
The term of office for all governors is 4 years. Chairs of committees, Chair of Governors and Vice Chair of Governors are elected annually.
Governors can be contacted via admin2322@we-learn.com
Chair of Governors at: reza.ali@coventry.ac.uk
Performance and Standards focused meeting deals with our curriculum, policies, standards and quality of teaching
Resources focused meeting deals with staffing, financial controls, budget, grounds and buildings
Pay Committee
Chris Hudson
Helen Evans
Kate Sahota
Pay Appeals Committee
Dr. Reza Ali
Dr. Vikki Locke
Safeguarding Governor - Katie Reeves
SEN Governor - Katie Reeves
Heath and Safety Governor - Margaret Gayler
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| Westgate Primary School Historical Member Records |
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