Meet the Governors
Hayley Dibnah-Headteacher
Appointed by: Governing Body
Term of office: 30/04/18-01/09/2050
Committees: Full Governing Board
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Westwood Primary School has been a huge part of my life for many years and I am incredibly proud to say I am the Headteacher here. I arrived at Westwood as an NQT in 2005, meaning I have been at the school for 17 years. During my time here, I have worked my way up from NQT, to Assistant head, Deputy head, Head of school and now Headteacher. In this time, I have helped to drive the school forward and ensure its success. I was appointed as permeant Headteacher in 2019.
Westwood is a fantastic school and I am incredibly proud of everyone who makes Westwood what it is. Our children are confident, caring individuals with great ambition, our staff are warm, caring and nurturing with an abundance of creativity and enthusiasm and our parents and governors are supportive of all that we do. All of this contributes to making Westwood the special place it is.
Claire Popplewell -Chair of Governors
Appointed by: Governing Body
Term of Office: 08/02/22-07/02/2026
Committees: Teaching and Learning/ Pupil Support and Resources
Specific Responsibilities: Early Reading, Phonics and EYFS
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Westwood Primary will always be a special place to me. I was a teaching assistant here for 8 years, both my children have attended, with my youngest leaving last year and I was also a pupil myself many moons ago. I know from experience, the children at Westwood are extremely lucky to have a wonderful team, teaching and supporting them. I’m excited to take on this new role as chair and work with the governing board to maintain the high standards of educational achievement that your children are used too.
Debbie Hitchcox- Vice Chair
Appointed by: Governing Body
Term of Office: 19/10/2021-18/10/2025 Committees: Teaching and Learning/Pupil Support Specific Responsibilities: Mental Health and Well-being, SEND and History
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I have worked within primary school settings since I was 17 starting as a lunchtime and breakfast club assistant and then became a teaching assistant, mostly working as a 1:1. I am also a trained beauty therapist and fully trained in Makaton. My hobbies include arts and crafts, reading and singing (although I have never said I'm any good!) This is my first time being a governor and I am looking forward to this new role.
Amanda Street-Parent Governor
Appointed by: Elected Parents
Term of Office: 07/11/2016-6/11/2024
Committees: Teaching and Learning/Pupil Support
Specific Responsibilities:
Carla Ramsey- Co-opted Governor
Appointed By: Governing Body
Term of Office: 20/10/2020-19/10/2024
Committees: Resources & Teaching and Learning/Pupil Support
Specific Responsibilities: Pupil Premium
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I have been part of Westwood for the last 15 years. My role has developed through this time. I first joined Westwood as an Office Administrator, took on the role as Attendance officer and further progressed to my current role as School Business Manager.
All my three children attended Westwood and continue to progress and thrive in their current career choices. I certainly believe that the school motto and core values that are promoted throughout the school ‘if you believe you can do it you can and you will’ was instilled in them and continues today.
For those of you that know me in my role you will often see me rushing around from one place to the next but I always ensure I have time to speak to children and parents and take great pleasure in assisting people in any way that I can.
I absolutely LOVE food! Anything and everything! If you ever see me in your favourite Restaurant come over and say Hello.
Kimberley Partridge- Staff Governor
Appointed by: Elected by Staff
Term of Office: 04/11/2015-04/11/2024
Committees: Teaching and Learning/Pupil Support
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I have worked at Westwood since September 2011 when I joined as an NQT. Throughout my time here, I have mostly worked in year 6; I enjoy guiding the children through their final year at Westwood, making memories that will last a lifetime as well as preparing them for the next big step in their education. I also lead maths across the school, making sure that teaching and learning of the subject is of the highest quality. Westwood has shaped who I am as a teacher and I can’t imagine working anywhere else!
Pamela Richardson- Parent Governor
Appointed by: Governing Body
Term of Office: 19/12/2019- 18/12/2023
Committees: Resources & Teaching and Learning/Pupil Support
Specific Responsibilities: Children looked after, Relationships and Sex Education, Child Protection and Safe guarding and complaints
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I am a newly qualified teacher with a background in Children’s Social Services (primarily child protection). This means I have a lot of experience keeping children safe and I use this expertise in my governing role. I am dedicated to working with our governing board to ensure Westwood Primary continues to be a great school and a safe place for all of our children.
Anthony Richardson- Co-opted Governor
Appointed by: Governing Body
Term of office: 06/07/2020-05/07/2024
Committees: Teaching and Learning/Pupil Support
Specific Responsibilities: Maths and Science
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Hello my name is Anthony Richardson and I am the governor for maths and science at Westwood Primary School. Maths and science are very important to me because my University degree is in Mechanical Engineering (which is very much based on maths and science). As well as this, I am a high school maths teacher in a Leeds based school. I am also a parent of a child attending Westwood Primary School, so rest assured I want to support in the smooth running of Westwood's maths and science learning.
Ryan Richardson- Co-opted Governor
Appointed By: Governing Body
Term of Office: 05/07/2022-04/07/2026
Committees: Resources
Specific Responsibilities: GDPR, budgets, Health and Safety and PE and Sport
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I am new to the role of governor and I am looking forward to getting stuck-in. I am a chartered accountant by trade, having studied business, accounting and finance at Newcastle University, and I hope to use the skills and experience I have built up over the years to help support and contribute to the school and local community.
In my spare time I enjoy participating and watching sport, including football, golf and cricket. I also love learning new things and have a passion for reading and history.
Oluboyega Onimole- Co-opted Governor
Appointed By: Governing Body
Term of Office: 25/09/2020-24/09/2024
Committees: Resources
Specific Responsibilities: Music
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This is my first appointment as a school governor and I am incredibly delighted and grateful to serve in this role. Whilst my educational background is centered around Metallurgical Engineering and Geographical information Systems (I absolutely loved Geography whilst at school!), my professional experience cuts across Web Design, Teaching, Customer Service, Call Centre Quality Assessment, Call Centre Training, Social Care, Health Care and Data Analysis. I feel incredibly honored and privileged to serve in the role of a governor at Westwood Primary School and I look forward to drawing on all of my training, passion and life experiences to create the very best environment for the children and families at Westwood Primary School.
Amy Nelson-Partnership Governor
Appointed by: Governing Body
Term of Office: 18.10.22-17.10.2026
Committees: Teaching and Learning/Pupil Support and Resources
Specific Responsibilities: Pupil Premium and Writing
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I am member of SLT at Lane End Primary School where I am also Year 6 teacher. I lead on EAL, Language and Communication and Music. In my spare time I like to relax but that doesn't happen very often as I spend most of it taking my son to football, entertaining my daughter and looking after my two dogs!
Nigel Perry-LA Representative
Appointed by: Governing Body
Term of Office: 18.10.22-17.10.2026
Committees: Teaching and Learning and Pupil Support
Specific Responsibilities: Attendance
Governors
The Governors in conjunction with the Headteacher are appointed as strategic leaders of the school. this includes the appointment of all members of staff, teaching and non teaching, monitoring the school budget share and overall responsibility for the aims,ethos and implementation of policies of the school. The Governors are there to support the learning journey of every child and to ensure safeguarding measures are in place and adhered to.
All our governors are volunteers and have either been appointed by the governing body, elected by parents, the local authority or by staff members.
Our Governors are supported by LCC Governor Support Service.