Waterton Governance Page
Welcome to our Governors’ section
The Local Governing Body provides strategic leadership and accountability in the school. They are all volunteers and play an important part in raising school standards.
Working closely with Waterton Aademy Trust and the Headteacher they set the school’s aims and policies. They monitor the school’s key performance indicators and act as a source of support and challenge to the headteacher (a critical friend).
Each Governing Body has a number of Committees that are responsible for different areas of school operations.
Keeping in touch
The school website is a good way of keeping up to date with all aspects of school life. If you have a concern or a point of view to share, this can be passed on to the governing body. The governing body is contactable through school and is more than happy to discuss any issues or ideas you may have. There are lots of ways of sharing your views. As many of our governors are also parents of children at school, we can often be found around at the beginning and end of the school day. There will also be specific opportunities and times throughout the school year to hear from you and keep in touch. Alternatively, you can always leave a note at the school office or drop an e-mail to the school address and our governors will get in touch with you.
Becoming a Governor
Being a school governor is an important role but you do not need to have any particular skills, knowledge or experience to become a governor. What you need to bring is: a commitment to school life; the ability to work with others; patience and enthusiasm; a willingness to learn; a commitment to working openly and democratically; and, most importantly a willingness to spend what time you can offer getting involved in school life. The most important thing to note is that governors are a team, not a collection of individuals or groups with separate agendas. However much we may differ in our opinions and experiences we are united by our commitment to the school and the responsibility we share for its long-term success. In short, we have a common purpose.
Meet our Governors
Mrs L Harrison
My name is Larraine Harrison and I am a Local Authority Governor I have several roles including the following:- Chair of Governing Body Member of Resources and Personnel Committee Member of Data Committee Member of Head teacher Performance Management Committee Responsible for monitoring:-Leadership & Management / Teaching and Learning/English and Drama I joined the governing body of Sharlston School in September 2009 and became Chair later on that year. As a resident of Sharlston Common, I had known the school for some years and after my retirement in 2008, I decided I would like to make a contribution to the school and the community by becoming a governor. I have a background in Education which I felt would be helpful for my role on the governing body. I have a Bachelor of Education degree, a Master of Arts Degree in Applied Educational Studies and a Royal Society of Arts Diploma in Drama in Education. I qualified as a primary school teacher in 1969 but also taught in a special school, a secondary school and an FE College. I have also been a curriculum support teacher, a freelance education consultant and author, a part time Ofsted Inspector, a Local Authority literacy consultant and a School Improvement Adviser. Over the past 20 years I have also run many courses for serving teachers on creative approaches to English and Drama in schools. I was running such a course for the teachers at Sharlston School in 2009, when the head teacher asked me if I would like to become a governor. Despite my education background, I had very little direct experience of governance and so I was grateful for all the training I received from Wakefield Governor Services and all the help and support I had from the other governors, the head teacher and other school staff.
Mrs H Virr
I have been a governor for several years at Sharlston Community School and I am now a co-opted governor. My roles within the governing body are PE/SEAL Governor, KS2 Link Governor and a member of the Personnel and Resources Committee. My daughter attended the school. I have involvement with the PTA and volunteer at school on a regular basis. Over the past few years I have volunteered when possible to support Year 5 in their school swimming lessons. My background and skills in sport and education include the following:- Swam and coached for the City of Leeds Swimming Club Played football for Leeds United Ladies Qualified and taught both private and school swimming lessons Qualified as an Army Physical Training Instructor whilst serving in the British Army NVQ Assessor and Internal Verifier for military and civilian HGV drivers IT Technician and classroom support in a Leeds high school Support Assistant (Special Needs) at Sharlston Community School Achieved a number of Black Belts in different Martial Arts
Mrs. E King
Mrs. N Easterby
Ms. J Fisher
I am a Parent Governor of Sharlston School. Within the Governing Body my roles are Safeguarding/SEN and Vulnerable pupils and I am also a member of the Data Committee. I became a Parent Governor in March 2015. Having a background in Education and a little more time on my hands I wondered if I could help the school in any way and saw the advert for a parent Governor. I am the fourth generation to go to Sharlston Community School and have many fond memories within this close knit community. Back ground/Skills: I have a BHSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy and have worked in the NHS. I later became a teaching assistant for two years supporting children and young people with SEN and running a successful intervention project called the Hub in a LA school in South Yorkshire. I then qualified as a secondary school teacher at Durham SCITT and gained experience in specialised provision working with severe behavioural difficulties and complex needs. I qualified as a Health and Social Care Teacher and taught Key Stage 4 and 5 and secured employment in South Yorkshire. I left teaching in 2013 to become a Foster Carer so I could help those in need but also spend more time with my daughter. I keep in touch with my previous school and have helped out on supply whilst enjoying the best of both worlds teaching and caring for children. I have access to regular training and development as a Foster Carer and have gained valuable insight into Safeguarding, Child Sexual Exploitation, positive parenting, attachment and the role of many professionals who all work to improve outcomes for children. I have realised even more so just how important childhood is.
Miss A Scaife
After seeing the fantastic progress both my children were making in their education at Sharlston, I decided I wanted to support the school by offering my time and commitment by being part of a dedicated team of people who want to ensure that a good education matters for each and every child. I initially applied for and gained the position of Parent Governor and recently I have been re-assigned to Co-Opted Governor. Aspects of my working career have encompassed HR and Health & Safety, and I am able to use some of these skills in my role as a governor. I like to regularly attend training events to keep my skills relevant and up to date, so as to ensure that the school and governing body are achieving their potential. The role I undertake is challenging but so rewarding, especially when I see the amazing results achieved by pupils through their eagerness and drive in wanting to learn. Along with all the staff within the school, the governing body are committed to promoting the best possible outcomes for all pupils, and I’m happy to say I’m part of that team.