Name

Governor Type

Term From

Term To

Curriculum Link /Role

Chair of Governors

Headteacher Performance Management

Vice-Chair of Governors

Safeguarding and CLA

SEND and Inclusion

Dr Reza Ali

Co-opted governor

 13 October 2025 

12 October 2029

WSF MAT Trustee 

Headteacher Performance Management 

Mental wellbeing

Professor Vikki Locke

Parent governor

23 June 2025 

22 June 2029

Computing

Mr. Matthew Watson

Headteacher (Ex-Officio)

4 September 2018

Ongoing

Employed at school

Mrs. Natasha Wormington

Staff governor

16 October 2023

15 October 2027

Employed at school

Mrs. Dawn Carson

Staff governor

16 October 2023 

15 October 2027

Employed at school

Name

Helen Walker

Type of Governor

Co-opted

Term of Office

8 December 2025 to 7 December 2029

Background

I have worked for a Government Department for 37 years and am taking early retirement in November 2026.  I'm a Chartered Surveyor and have experience in strategy, policy, and programme management and delivery.

I have lived in Warwick for nearly 40 years and my 3 grown up sons all went to local schools. One of my sons has autism and I'm passionate about improving the education experience of children with additional needs.

Governance Experience

I was a parent Governor at my son's primary school, and I've been a co-opted Governor at Westgate since 2020. I've just taken over as Chair of Governors and I'm very much looking forward to the new role. 

Hobbies and interests

I love to travel and to spend time with family and friends. I also enjoy exercising, cooking, baking and crafts.

Links to the school area

I'm fortunate to have lived in Warwick for a long time and feel very connected to the area. 

Why did you become a governor?

My long corporate career has given me skills that I can use in my role as a Governor. I want to support the work done by the teaching staff and the leadership team which makes Westgate such an amazing school. 

Name

Katie Sahota

Type of Governor

Co-opted. Vice-Chair of Governors

Term of Office

8^th June 2026 – 7^th June 2030

Background

I have worked in the public sector for 25 years, starting my career at the Local Authority before moving to the Civil Service, where I currently work in digital public health for a central government department. In my spare time, I am also a children's author, writing picture books for early years children, which fuels my special interest in reading, literacy, and health and wellbeing.

Governance Experience

I have served as a school governor at Westgate Primary School since April 2022, supporting the governing body across standards, performance, and strategic direction. I am proud to serve as Vice Chair for my second term as a governor.

Hobbies and interests

When I am not writing children’s picture books, I enjoy creative projects, calligraphy, gardening, and spending time outdoors.

Links to the school area

I have lived in Warwick for over 20 years and raised my two grown-up children in the local community.

Why did you become a governor?

I wanted to join the governing body to support my local community and make a positive difference in the lives of children, helping to ensure they have an inspiring, safe, and nurturing environment in which to learn and grow.

Name

Dr Reza Ali

Type of Governor

Co-opted Governor

Term of Office

13 October 2025 to 12 October 2029

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.

Name

Christopher Kirby

Type of Governor

Co-opted

Term of Office

16^th October 2023 – 15^th October 2027

Background

I am General Manager at the Fusilier Museum Warwick and also a qualified teacher. I have over 25 years’ experience working in museums including the British Museum and Coventry museums. My roles have included museum curator and senior museum manager responsible for collections, exhibitions, learning and outreach teams. Concurrently, I have been a part-time adult education tutor for Warwick University and Oxford University. In 2020 I qualified as a secondary school teacher and was appointed to a maternity cover history teaching post at Blue Coats School in Coventry. After this completed, I returned to working in museums in 2023. I believe strongly in the importance of learning and cultural engagement.  

Governance Experience

I have been a school governor at Westgate since 2023 and have previously sat on a number of boards of heritage charities advising on learning and cultural engagement activity. My professional experience means I am committed to supporting learning excellent and inspiring young people to fulfil their potential.

Hobbies and interests

I enjoy time with my family who are all involved in range of cultural and education work. I love visiting heritage sites and have a particular passion for ancient Egypt. I am a keen runner and do Pilates.

Links to the school area

Although my three children are all grown up now, they all went to Westgate school. We have lived in Warwick for over 20 years. I have worked in the town since 2022.

Why did you become a governor?

In my role at the Fusilier Museum Warwick, I worked with Westgate school on a learning project linked to the history of the Warwickshire Regiment. I was very impressed with the commitment of the staff at Westgate and their learning ethos. From this, I was delighted to have the opportunity to join the governing body and support the school in developing its excellence in care and learning for young people.

Name

Professor Vikki Locke

Type of Governor

Parent

Term of Office

23 June 2025 to 22 June 2029

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.

Name

Matthew Watson

Type of Governor

Staff

Term of Office

Since September 2018

Background

I have been a teacher for over 25 years and a deputy headteacher or headteacher for more the last 16 years in a range of different schools from Loxley, with fewer than 50 children, through to Telford Junior School as a three-form entry school. I have been an Enhanced Deputy, and Acting Head, a Head of School and am currently the headteacher at Westgate Primary School. I enjoy working with the Westgate Family as we are a happy and supportive community. 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.  

Governance Experience

I have been a governor in all of my previous schools from 2004.

Hobbies and interests

Walking, reading, writing, rugby (watching now rather than playing following too many injuries) and spending time with my family.

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 spent the whole of his education at 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, including Warwick Castle, Hill Close Gardens, the Rotary Club. 

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.  

Name

Natasha Wormington

Type of Governor

Staff

Term of Office

16 October 2023 to 15 October 2027

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.

Governance Experience

I was a staff governor at my previous school for 2 years.

Hobbies and interests

I love to be outdoors, spending time with my family and playing bingo.

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.

Name

Dawn Carson

Type of Governor

Staff Governor

Term of Office

13 October 2023 to 15 October 2027

Background

I have been teaching in various roles across the West Midlands since 2005. After a few years of teaching in Birmingham, I chose to work in Warwickshire. I have taught across all year groups including the Early Years, have led many subject areas and have previously been on the Senior Leadership Team.  My role at Westgate is as Pupil Premium Champion.  This special role has been created at Westgate to ensure that all pupils have an equal opportunity to progress whilst they are here with us.  I work alongside the class teachers to support smaller groups of pupils achieve their goals.  Classes across Westgate will also find me teaching them when their usual teacher is absent.

Governance Experience

I haven’t worked in a governor’s role before.

Hobbies and Interests

I love eating out, keeping up with the latest films, walking my dog with my family and travelling everywhere and anywhere. I like to exercise as much as I can and take part in charity runs or walks.

Links to the school area

Originally from Yorkshire, my family moved to Warwickshire when I began school. I went to local primary schools myself and attended the local grammar school for secondary education. I have two children myself who have attended primary school in Warwickshire and now attend the local secondary schools.

Why did you become a governor?

I became a governor after being encouraged by Mr Watson. I like to know what’s going on in the school itself but also the wider school community. After stepping out from having full responsibility of a whole class, I feel it’s also the best way of understanding and feeling in touch across the whole school. I’m also nosey I guess!