Governors
Introduction to the Governing Body
The Governors at Harestock Primary School are committed to school improvement. We work closely – and in partnership – with the Headteacher and the senior leadership team to ensure that every child in the school has the best possible education and skills for life.
We meet twelve times a year. Once minutes have been approved by the Full Governing Body at the next meeting, they are available for you to read, upon request, at the school office. We also aim to send out a Governors’ newsletter at least once a year to provide an update on the activities of the governing body and its plans for the year. We are looking for additional ways to make sure that we keep you up to date with our work and seek your input – if you have ideas please contact us using chairofgovernors@harestock.co.uk.
This page is designed to:
- keep you up-to-date and provide an overview of our current work;
- let you know who we are, how we are structured, and how we organise our work in order to carry out our role;
- summarise the role of the Governing Body;
- provide the required statutory information about the Governing Body; and
- provide you with information about applying to become a Governor.
If you have any questions, are interested in becoming a governor, or have skills which you would be willing to offer to the Governing Body, we would be delighted to hear from you. You can leave a note at the school office or email us: chairofgovernors@harestock.co.uk.
Statutory Governor information is set out at the end of this webpage.
Work of the Governing Body
The Governing Body has a full programme strategic development work, full Governing Body meetings, formal visits to the school and training.
How we are organised at Harestock Primary School
A Governing Body is required to be of an appropriate size and have the skills and experience necessary to enable it to carry out its functions. The Harestock Governing Body is led by two Co-Chairs, assisted by a Learning & Standards Lead and a Resources Lead. In addition, a Safeguarding Governor, a Special Educational Needs (SEN) Governor and a Development & Training Governor ensure strategic oversight of and seek improvement in their respective areas of focus. A Pay Committee meets annually to approve staff salaries. The Headteacher’s performance is regularly reviewed by the Performance Review Panel. The Governing Body is supported by a Clerk.
Governors (ID 1198)
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Miranda WoolfendenChair of Governors
Miranda Woolfenden
Miranda has worked in local government for over 30 years and currently works as Business Support Manager for Hampshire County Council.Miranda became a parent governor in November 2010 and a co-opted governor in November 2014. During that time, Miranda served on the previous Learning and Standards and Staffing Committees, as well as on the Headteacher Performance Review Panel and been the Development and Training Liaison Governor (DTLG). She has had two children go through the school from Year R to Year 6 and also been a volunteer with FOS and Girl Guiding.
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Sue BignellLocal Authority Governor
Sue Bignell
Sue has lived in Winchester all of her life and has been a member of the Governing Body for many years now. She took early retirement from the Library Service in 2010 and currently works as an assistant houseparent with the boarders at Peter Symonds College. She was also a member of a Housing Association Board, which she chaired for a few years and acted as Tenant Inspector of Housing for the Audit Commission. Her main interest at Harestock is in her role as Special Needs Governor. She is also a Better Reading Partner and goes into school regularly to read with the children. Her interests include the theatre and Southampton Football Club. She spends a lot of time with family including ten great nieces and nephews.
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Clare GriffithsCo-opted Governor
Clare Griffiths
Following a PhD in Chemistry, Clare has spent the last 17 years working in science and leadership roles in the Ministry of Defence.She is currently a senior leader in a science and technology organisation with responsibilities including strategy and governance, capability development, performance and financial management and health and safety. Clare became a co-opted Governor in October 2020, wanting to use her experience gained in work to help and support Harestock School. Clare currently has a health and safety focus in her governor role, ensuring the school and grounds meet health and safety requirements.
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Zena KukrejaCo-opted Governor
Zena Kukreja
Zena has worked as a lawyer for over 10 years and is currently counsel at an international lawfirm,based in London, but living in Winchester. She became a co-opted governor in November 2019. Zena shared the role of Chair from January 2021 until her recent maternity leave.
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Kelsie LearneyCo-opted Governor
Kelsie Learney
Kelsie is a long-standingmember of the governing body, originally a community governor, she became a co-opted governor in 2014. A resident of Harestock for 30 years, both her sons attended the school. With a degree in economics anda background in IT, Kelsie has specialised in school finance and property issues.
One of the Winchester City Councillors representing Harestock, Weeke and Teg Down and the Council Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency, Kelsie is also on the board of St Johns Winchester Charityand Winchester Action on the Climate Crisis (WinACC).
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Alistair ScottCo-opted Governor
Alistair Scott
Alistair is a local businessman, employing 20 people in Winchester. He brings to the Governing Body experience in corporate governance, finance, operating a business and a personal interest and qualification in professional education and development. Alistair became a co-opted governor in 2016 and served a four-year term as Chair of the Learning and Standards committee. More recently he has taken on the role of the Development and Training Liaison Governor (DTLG)and leads the annual skills audit process, which assesses and reviews governor knowledge and skills and co-ordinates action to enhance areas where skills require development. He also sits on the Headteacher Performance Review Panel.
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Lucy SimsVice-Chair and Parent Governor
Lucy Sims
Lucy became a parent governor in November 2020. She has previously volunteered as a parent helper on school trips and has assisted at Friends of the School fundraising events. Lucy also has a general interest, understanding and knowledge of education from her study in the area of sociology and education to doctorate level. Lucy is also the Safeguarding Governor with responsibility to regularly review the safeguarding policies and procedures used by the school, supported with ongoing training to develop her knowledge and skills.
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Colin HudmanCo-opted Governor
Colin Hudman
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Bryan SomersetParent Governor
Bryan Somerset
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Sarah BoylanStaff Governor
Sarah Boylan
Contacting us
We would very much like to hear from you about general improvements and policy matters. You can contact us by email chairofgovernors@harestock.co.uk, by leaving a message with the school office, putting a note in your child’s book bag or catching a parent governor or the Chair of Governors on the playground in the morning.
STATUTORY INFORMATION ABOUT THE COMPOSITION OF THE GOVERNING BODY
Name | Governor Type | Term From | Term To | Appointee | Roles |
Mrs Miranda Woolfenden | Co-opted governor | 24 Nov 2014 | 23 Nov 2026 | Full Governing Body |
Chair Development & Training Governor Pay Committee Member |
Mrs Aimee Dear | Headteacher | 1 Jan 2023 | 31 Dec 2026 | N/A | Headteacher |
Mrs Jo Clements | Staff governor | 20 Jan 2020 | 19 Jan 2024 | Elected staff governor | |
Miss Sue Bignell | Local authority governor | 1 May 2021 | 30 Apr 2025 | Hampshire County Council |
SEN governor Pay committee member |
Dr Clare Griffiths | Co-opted governor | 20 Oct 2020 | 19 Oct 2024 | Full governing body | |
Mrs Zena Kukreja | Co-opted governor | 20 Nov 2019 | 19 Nov 2023 | Full governing body | |
Ms Kelsie Learney | Co-opted governor | 24 Nov 2014 | 23 Nov 2026 | Full governing body |
Pay committee member Headteacher performance review panel |
Mr Alistair Scott | Co-opted governor | 24 Nov 2014 | 23 Nov 2026 | Full governing body | Headteacher performance review panel |
Dr Lucy Sims | Parent governor | 26 Nov 2020 | 25 Nov 2024 | Elected parent governor | |
Mr Bryan Somerset | Parent governor | March 2024 | March 2028 | Elected parent governor |
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Mr Colin Hudman | Co-opted governor | Sep 2023 | Sep 2027 | Full governing body |
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Register of Governors’ Interests
Member | Nature of interest |
Mrs Miranda Woolfenden | None |
Mrs Aimee Dear | None |
Mrs Jo Clements | None |
Miss Sue Bignell | None |
Dr Clare Griffiths | None |
Mrs Zena Kukreja | None |
Mr Ross Mardle | None |
Mr Alistair Scott | None |
Dr Lucy Sims | None |
Mr Colin Hudman | None |
Mr Bryan Somerset | None |
ATTENDANCE PERCENTAGES OF THE GOVERNING BODY