Governors

Our Governors

The Governing Body of the school is made up of people from a variety of backgrounds. The school Governors comprise a group of individuals, who are elected, nominated or co-opted, and are representative of parents and teachers and the LA. School Governors work with the Headteacher and are responsible for setting the strategic direction of the school.

Meetings are held at least once each term and committees meet in addition to main Governing Body meetings. 

Please feel free to come in and ask questions about the work of the Governing Body. If you would like to be a School Governor please contact the Headteacher to find out about any vacancies.
 
Please contact Governors through the school office. 

  • Mr Ian Gaskell

    Chair of governors

    igaskell@longwhattonschool.org

    I became a Parent Governor in February 2019, following my oldest child starting in the reception class where I was impressed with the supporting and caring ethos that the school imbues.
    I am a chartered engineer, working in an engineering governance role, and am keen to use my skills and enthusiasm to support and develop our school to the best of my abilities.
    I am a strong advocate for STEM, having supported many activities within schools and youth organisations, and I have helped organise and run the Village Show for the past few years.

  • Mr Chris Fearn

    Vice Chair

    cfearn@longwhattonschool.org

    I became a parent governor in June 2021 and I am a proud dad of three children attending the school. The schools reputation and values attracted our family to the village and I want to contribute to its ongoing success. I am a qualified chartered accountant and I now specialise in Relationship Management for Small and Medium sized businesses in the East Midlands region. I am keen to use my finance and relationship skills to support and assist the school where at all possible.

  • Mr Ben Lincoln

    Parent Governor

    blincoln@longwhattonschool.org

    I became a parent governor in October 2021 and have two daughters at the school. I am a chartered patent attorney. My role involves meeting inventors to learn about a wide range of technology in order to help them protect their inventions. I then negotiate with patent offices around the world to get patents granted for my clients. I have always been impressed with the friendly and supportive atmosphere of the school. Both of my daughters enjoy going and they are really engaged with what they are learning. I am keen to assist the school going forward and I look forward to using my skills and enthusiasm to support our great village
    school.

  • Mrs Victoria Thompson

    Parent Governor

    vthompson@longwhattonschool.org

    After moving to the village in 2015 I instantly knew that this was where I wanted my children to grow up. My eldest son attends the school and he has progressed so much since he started.

    I work for a software company where I’m part of a marketing team focused on driving performance through efficiencies. With the squeeze on school budgets, maintaining pupil numbers and showcasing our fabulous school has never been more important. Literacy is my passion and I hope I can bring some of that passion, coupled with my experience to help support the strategic direction of the school.

  • Mrs Penny Plummer

    Staff Governor

    pplummer@longwhattonschool.org

    After joining Long Whatton Primary in September 2015, I became part of the governing body, Easter 2019. I thoroughly enjoy teaching and being part of the school and local community and I feel that I can represent the staff by being on the governing body and help towards the strategic management of the school, as well as continuing regular involvement in the day to day routines. I think the work that the governing body carries out is very important in supporting the children and ensuring their love of learning grows in a safe and stimulating environment.

  • Mrs Marianne Wooldridge

    Parent Governor

    mwooldridge@longwhattonschool.org

    I have 2 children attending Long Whatton Primary School and have been a parent governor since March 2022.
    I have worked in the field of special educational needs for 23 years and currently work with mainstream and special schools across the UK as a learning and behaviour consultant to support the access and inclusion of children with autism, complex learning needs and behaviours that challenge. In my role I regularly support families through the EHCP and appeals process, working as an independent expert witness evaluating data, progress and presenting the data and recommendations
    I encourage evidence-based approaches and have a strong focus on outcomes. I am keen to work as part of the team using my skills and experience to assist the school over the next 4 years.

  • Mrs Penny de Kock

    Foundation Governor

    pdekock@longwhattonschool.org

    I became a co-opted governor in November 2021 as I have lived in the village for the last 4 years and believe in giving back to the community that I live in. I am involved in the Long Whatton magazine, a Long Whatton and Diseworth Parish Councillor as well as a co-opted governor at Hathern Church of England school. I am an IT project manager and I hope that all the skills that I have will add value to the school and assist the school whatever the need might be to keep this the wonderful school that it is.

  • Mr John Fitzgerald

    Co Opted Governor

    jfitzgerald@longwhattonschool.org

    Hi I am 66 and retired, my working career started when I was 11 and never stopped, but don’t worry I’m not going that far back. My recent working history is as follows.

    20 years with Royal mail as a postman, manager, supervisor and health and safety officer. Then 5 years with a pharmaceutical company as a facilities manager and health and safety manager. Then I took semi retirement but worked part-time for Mountsorrel Parish Council looking after the local parks but also became a RPII inspector responsible for inspecting the play ground equipment with in the Parish. I fully retired in 2022. My hobbies are wood work, DIY and spending time in Cumbria and with family.