Governors
Governors - Roles and Responsibilities
The Local Governing Body, in conjunction with the Headteacher, is responsible for the strategic planning within the school, agreeing policy and procedures with a view to promoting high standards of educational achievement and pastoral care.
Each individual governor is a member of a governing board, which is established in law as a corporate body. Individual governors may not act independently of the rest of the governing board; decisions are the joint responsibility of the governing board. The role of the governing board is a strategic one, its key functions are to:
- set the aims and objectives for the school
- set the policies for achieving those aims and objectives
- set the targets for achieving those aims and objectives
- monitor and evaluate the progress the school is making towards achievement of its aims and objectives
- be a source of challenge and support to the headteacher (a critical friend).
Governors at Ditton meet to discuss all issues, there are no discrete committees. Governors meet twice a term as a full governing body to discuss standards and resources.
Minutes from Ditton Governors Meetings are available upon request through the school.
If you are interested in becoming a school governor please contact the school office who will be able to give you more information. If you would like to get in touch with the school governors please use the email address of the chair of governors (ditton.office@wpat.uk) or come and speak to the school office.
Here at Ditton, we are lucky to have a committed board of Governors who have a wide range of skills, knowledge and experience; with each governor bringing something vital to the team. With this experience our responsibility is to set the goals and strategy for the school. Specific duties include setting staffing levels, agreeing the school budget, ensuring that a broad and balanced curriculum is delivered as well as monitoring health and safety of pupils, staff and visitors together with the management of the school premises.
Register of Pecuniary Interests
Click here to view our Register of Pecuniary Interests and additional governor information.
Local Governing Committee
The Local Governing Committee is made up of parent governors, elected by the parents of pupils at the school, staff governors including the Headteacher and co-opted Governors. The team is made up of a variety of people from different backgrounds but who all share the same passionate belief that Ditton Primary should be a happy, successful, school where every child matters.
The Governing Body is made up of the following people:
Dr Denise Lee
Chair of Governors
I have been a co-opted governor at Ditton Primary school since 13/10/2015, I have 3 children currently in the school. My current responsibilities as governor include Maths Link Tutor and Resource and Curriculum committee member.
Background
I went to Ditton Primary School when I was younger and Wade Deacon High School. I was then lucky enough to go onto complete a Masters Degree in Civil Engineering followed by a PhD in Structural Fire Engineering. Currently I work as a Senior Lecturer in Civil Engineering, As part of my work I carry out outreach work to promote civil engineering to the younger generation. Part of my role is to support students through University life where they can meet diverse challenges.
The reason I became a Governor as I believe that every child should be given the opportunity to achieve their goals regardless of their journey in life. Children should be inspired to try to be the best and we should provide an environment and opportunities for them to do so. I believe in supporting the school and staff to ensure the best outcome for all our children at Ditton Primary School.
Janette Pyne
Headteacher
I am originally from Leeds but completed my Bachelor of Arts degree in Education in Lancaster. I have worked in schools in Middlesborough, Manchester and Warrington before becoming Head of School at Ditton in 2020, before becoming Headteacher in 2024.
Before this, I was at my last school for 16 years and taught across the primary age range, leading maths, assessment and the curriculum, and worked as deputy head for 5 years.
I am immensely proud of the improvements that are evident at our school and am passionate about our children receiving the very best, both in the curriculum and our wider offer as well as contributing to and supporting the wider community.
Kevin Whitaker
Co-opted Governor
Hello, my name is Kevin Whittaker and I am a Co-opted Governor at Ditton Primary School. I am a retired Police Officer with 30 years’ experience and I have been a Governor since October 2019. My current responsibility is Health & Safety.
I live in Widnes and I have a grandson who attends Ditton Primary School and feel that, not only my grandson, but all children should be given every opportunity to learn, be happy and to give themselves choices later in life and this all starts with a good education
I feel passionately that children should enjoy school, feel safe in their environment and create happy memories that they can carry forward in life. I want to be part of a Governing Body that sees Ditton Primary School grow year on year and become a school talked about for its “excellent education and pupils that thrive and go on to live their dreams”.
My background with Merseyside Police has given me an insight into how difficult it is for children to grow up during these “challenging and difficult times” and with the experiences I have seen and dealt with, has made me realise that I have a lot to offer as a Governor which can benefit both pupils, parents and staff. I am known to a lot of parents at Ditton, I am approachable and will always take the time to listen to their concerns and with the help of the School and Governing Body ensure that these concerns are dealt with in the correct way.
I believe each child is an individual, each child has different qualities and each child no matter what their background, should enjoy coming to school, knowing that if they work hard, do their homework and have the support from parents, staff and governors, they can realise their dreams and ambitions and become who they want to be and do want they want to do.
Education gives you choices in life and I want to ensure that every child at Ditton Primary School has that choice in life.
Nikki Edwards
Co-opted Governor
I live in Widnes and am passionate to assist in any way I can to enable the best possible education for our school community. I have worked in education for over 30 years in schools, local authorities and now as part of Trust in WPAT. I am a qualified CIPFA accountant with a Masters in Management and my areas of specific interest are school finance, HR, buildings, marketing, H&S and climate change. I am currently Finance and Operations Director for Warrington Primary Academy Trust, enjoying socialising, keeping fit at the gym and yoga in my free time.
Mr Robert Longworth
Staff Governor
My name is Rob Longworth and I have been teaching for 9 years. I am currently the EYFS teacher in Reception. I am also Design and Technology subject leader and Designated Teacher for Looked After Children here at Ditton Primary School.
Since starting at Ditton almost a year ago, I have thoroughly enjoyed my role working alongside hard working dedicated staff and a team that are striving to provide the best education possible for each child every day. I understand how important it is for children to go home each day and feel valued regardless of their abilities and to be encouraged to try their best.
I am passionate about education and absolutely believe that children should be at the heart of our practice. However, I am also fully aware of the trials that come with this job, and the effect that workload and external pressures put onto school staff. I will represent the voice of staff here at Ditton and be the link between staff and governors, to ensure that we can continue working together to make this school not only the best environment for children, but also for staff who work here.
Mrs Claire Wright
Parent Governor
Hi, my name is Claire Wright, I am a married, working mother of 3. I have been Parent Governor coming up to 2 years and have a focus on attendance. I am passionate about wanting to develop and improve our school, not only for my own children but for all of the pupils and their families. I want to put my skills in data analysis to use, highlighting where there are gaps in attainment and holding them to account, allowing all of our children to thrive.
My daughter is in Y4 and my son is in Y2. I have also a little girl who is 2, so I have a strong incentive for this school to excel, now and in the future. I have learnt a lot and seen the improvements that have been made to bring the last inspection rating to 'GOOD'. I enjoy participating in the school events and socialising with other parents, something I think is a real strength of our school.
I have spoken with the head about many topics and I am willing to challenge the school when I can see there is room for improvement.
Miss Rebecca Littler
Parent Governor
Mrs Jan Bacon
Co-opted Governor
I am looking forward to my role as a governor and working with the Local Governing Body Team of Ditton Primary School to support the school achieve its ambitions. I have recently retired. I have enjoyed an exciting and rewarding career in Primary Education within the state and independent sectors, in UK and abroad. I have been a class teacher, senior leader and advisory teacher in a variety of settings, before being appointed Headteacher of Braeburn International school in Nairobi, Kenya. Whilst at Braeburn, I worked with Warwick University to support the continuing professional development of staff within the Braeburn Group of Schools. Since returning to the UK and settling locally, I took on a variety of different short term roles before becoming Assistant Headteacher at a local independent preparatory school. I led the EYFS and KS1, took an active part in curriculum development across the school and was an NQT mentor. Earlier in my career I was fortunate enough to work with the national ‘Arts in Schools Project’ which supported curriculum development and underlined the importance of the Arts in Education.
Four years ago, I became involved with the work of Don Bosco Konkan Development Society (DBKDS) in Goa, India. DBKDS is an educational charity that provides education from Pre-School to Secondary Schools for the most disadvantaged of children. Working with the teaching staff, parents and staff of DBKDS is a privilege and incredibly rewarding. Together we have achieved so much and we continue to build on our successes. I feel very much part of this dedicated and inspirational team. The original intention was to deliver training on the teaching of reading and writing of English to the EYFS and Primary Schools Staff. This has now become an exciting bi-annual event with a much wider brief, but visits have had to be paused because of the pandemic.
I am passionate about education and in particular, the importance of building strong foundations within the EYFS and KS1. I believe that ‘children are candles to be lit and not vessels to be filled’. Every child, wherever they are in the world, deserves the highest quality of education, regardless of their circumstances. ‘Children First’ has always been my mantra. If we have this at the forefront of our minds, we can achieve our ambitions. We all want our children to be healthy and happy, to grow academically and personally, be engaged in the world around them, so they can reach their true potential.
Ms Deborah Sharples
Co-opted Governor
I was delighted to be appointed as a governor at Ditton Primary School during the summer term of 2022 and be able to share my passion and belief that every child should have every opportunity to realise their full potential.
I have spent over 30 very happy years working in education. My background is in primary schools and I have been lucky enough to work with amazing children, staff and parents as a class teacher, senior leader, deputy headteacher and headteacher. It has been a privilege to nurture and grow our young citizens. I am now manager of Generate Teaching Hub and our aim is to link our teachers in Halton, Warrington and Wigan to the very best professional development and training so they can provide the very best learning experiences for our children.
Many years ago, I became a teacher because I wanted to make a difference. As a governor, I want to continue to make a difference and work with the Ditton community to ensure that our children are happy, healthy, curious and have the skills and knowledge to equip them for a life full of possibility and opportunity.
Ms Louise McCallion
Co-opted Governor
I am delighted to be joining the local governing committee at Ditton Primary School as a co-opted governor. I have been teaching for almost 30 years and have had several roles over that time. I currently work in St Helens but have taught in both Halton and Warrington too. My current role is full time Deputy Headteacher and Inclusion Manager of a large primary school. I am a Halton resident and have worked in similar schools to Ditton locally and therefore feel I have a sound understanding of the context of the school.
Being an educational professional, I fully understand the challenges that schools are under in the current climate and feel passionately that we should work collaboratively as professionals to support each other. We have a duty to ensure that the pupils in our care are provided with the opportunities they need to achieve their best possible outcomes.
Alongside my full-time role, I am also an assessor for the Inclusion Quality Mark which gives me the opportunity to visit many schools around the North West. I am currently studying to be a specialist teacher assessor for Dyslexia and am a member of a Local Authority EHCP Quality Assurance group. I completed my National Professional Qualification for Headship in 2017.
Personally, I like simple things - I enjoy spending time with my family and friends and getting away when I can in Sally, my little campervan. I am delighted to be joining the team at Ditton Primary School.