Hayley Mennell-Headteacher 

Appointed by: Governing Body

Term of office: 30/04/2018-01/09/2050

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.

Tim Craven-Chair of Governors

Appointed by: Governing Body

Term of office: 27/01/2025-27/01/2029

Committees: Full Governing Board

Specific Responsibilities: Finance/Budget

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Tim is an experienced leader in both national and international regulated commercial organisations with in-depth technology knowledge combined with extensive change management and customer relationship building skills. He has led multi-skilled teams through complex transformations including start-up, scale-up and restructuring programmes.

Tim has been Chair of Trustees at the University Technical College in Leeds for 4 years and previously Chair of the finance, audit and risk committee. During his term as Chair, the UTC Leeds Trust Board was recognised by winning the National Governance Association Award 2023 for outstanding governance in a single school.

Tim is Chair of Governors at Gledhow Primary School, a large three form entry school with 670 students on roll. Tim has re-built the governing board after a period of instability, ensuring the school retained its Ofsted Good grading, which was at risk when he joined the organisation.

Tim is a Board Trustee at the Rodillian Multi-Academy Trust (RMAT) and Chair of the People, Pay & Performance committee. Tim is also member of the Audit and Risk trust committee at RMAT.  He is also a local leader in governance supporting various trusts with chairing support, appeals and disciplinary panels.

Tim has been a member of an Interim Executive Board at a primary school that was turned around and is now successfully part of a MAT. In addition, Tim is a member of the Employment and Skills committee within the West Yorkshire Regional Combined Authority. He has a passion for bringing the business and education communities together to enable students to make better career choices and business to have work ready students with relevant skills.

Tim has specialist experience in finance, risk, strategic planning and organisation rescue situations along with experience of leading high growth organisations. He holds a non-executive director diploma, specialist qualifications as a change management and programme management practitioner alongside being a Chartered IT Professional.

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!  

Oluboyega Onimole- Co-opted Governor

Appointed By: Governing Body

Term of Office: 25/09/2020-24/09/2024

Committees: Teaching and Learning/Pupil Support

Specific Responsibilities: Attendance/ Behaviour

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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 centred 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 honoured 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.

Rhianne Githaiga - Co-opted Governor

Appointed by: Governing Body

Term of Office: 08.01.23-08.01.2027

Committees: Teaching and Learning and Pupil Support & Resources

Specific Responsibilities: EYFS/Early Reading & Phonics

                                             Pupil & PE Premium

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I am very excited to be part of the Westwood Primary community. I am a trained primary school teacher and I work at Hope community Church Middleton as a children’s worker. It’s a joy to help out as a Governor and getting stuck in at Westwood.  I love walking in Middleton Park with my husband and baking for friends. You might see me around the school on Thursday  afternoons helping out with reading and RE!                                                          

Isatou Nyang - Parent Representative

Appointed by: Governing Body

Term of Office: 27.01.2025 - 27.01.2029

Committees: 

Specific Responsibilities:  SEN/SATS

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I am honoured to be a Parent Governor at Westwood Primary School. As a parent and someone passionate about education, I believe every child deserves a nurturing and inclusive environment where they can thrive.

During my degree, I had the privilege of completing my work experience at Westwood Primary. This gave me first-hand insight into the dedication of the staff and the school’s commitment to creating a supportive and engaging learning environment. Seeing this approach in action reassured me that Westwood was the right choice for my children’s education.

All of my children attend Westwood Primary, and I chose this school for its strong sense of community, focus on inclusion, and dedication to each child's success. As a governor, I look forward to using my experience and perspective as a parent to support the school in maintaining its high standards, championing equality, and ensuring that every child receives the opportunities they need to reach their full potential.

Cllr Rob Chesterfield - LA Governor

Appointed by: Governing Body

Term of Office: 27.01.2025 - 27.01.2029

Committees: 

Specific Responsibilities: Child Protection & safeguarding

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I am thrilled to join the board of Westwood Primary School as Local Authority Governor, as the local councillor for Middleton Park Ward.

Although this is my first time as a school governor, I have served as a board member for other services and charitable organizations for several years, notably in the foster care community, and more recently, local organisations delivering services for the elderly and disabled. 

I hope to bring my knowledge and skills of working in these environments to my role with Westwood Primary School, ensure the best outcomes for the school team, children and their families.

Outside of my day to day role, and in the spare time I do have, I enjoy various activities including singing in a male voice choir.

Kelsey Jones - Co-opted Governor

Appointed by: Governing Body

Term of Office: 27.01.2025 - 27.01.2029

Committees: 

Specific Responsibilities: Relationships/sex education

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I am very honoured to be joining the team here at Westwood Primary School as a school governor. Whilst this is my first appointment as a school governor, I am so excited to be part of the great community that has been built here at Westwood. 

My professional background is within the legal sector, and I am currently training to be a solicitor. However, I have always been passionate about my love for education and teaching. I am passionate about helping and supporting the community. Alongside my legal role, what I love is the opportunities within law to be able to help the next generation of professionals whether that being in law or not.

I am able to provide children with work experiences, I present and discuss my background and different pathways into law in various schools and universities and I provide access to resources and my network of different professionals who can further help and support children and the schools. 

I am currently a Literacy Champion volunteer with the National Literacy Trust. I help encourage a love of reading, writing, speaking, and listening to children in different schools. Literacy is one of my favourite subjects!

I am looking forward to my time here at Westwood to support the children, the staff and the community.

                                                                            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.

Governors' Allowances