Welcome to our Governors' section.

The Governors at Wootey Infant School are committed to school improvement. We work closely, and in partnership, with the Headteacher and Senior Leadership Team to ensure that every child in the school has the best possible education and skills for life.

We meet once every half term as a Full Board and also meet in committees.The main committees are: Resources which covers Finance and Staffing, and Curriculum & Standards. Once minutes have been approved by the Full Board or relevant Subcommittee at their next meeting, they are available for you to read by asking at the school office.

The role of the Governing Body

The Governing Body is responsible for directing the conduct of the school. Its obligations are set out in various Acts of Parliament, Regulations and Guidance and, in particular, the Education Act 2002 provides that:

“The governing body shall conduct the school with a view to promoting high standards of educational achievement at the school.”

and that the core functions of the Governing Body are:

• ensuring that the vision, ethos and strategic direction of the school are clearly defined
• ensuring the HT performs his/her responsibilities for the educational performance of the school
• ensuring the sound, proper and effective use of the school’s financial resources.

In carrying out its duties, the Governing Body must:

• act with integrity, objectivity and honesty
• act in the best interests of the school
• be open about, and prepared to explain, about the decisions we make and the actions we take

More information about being a governor, including the eligibility requirements, is available from http://www3.hants.gov.uk/education/governors/governors-govrecruit.htm.

How we are organised at Wootey Infant School

A Governing Body is required to be a size appropriate for, and have the skills and experience necessary to enable the Governing Body to carry out its functions. As a Governing Body, the Wootey Infant School Governing Body is organised like this:

Full Governing Body

Some of the work of the Full Governing Body is delegated to the following Subcommittees:

• Curriculum & Standards Committee
• Resources Committee
• Pay Committee
• HT Performance Review Panel
• Complaints Panels (constituted as and when required)

All Governors are currently assigned to both Curriculum and Standards and Resources committees.

Contacting us

We would very much like to hear from you about general improvements and policy matters. You can contact us by email to the school office: adminoffice@wootey-inf.hants.sch.uk, by leaving a message with the school office or putting a note in your child’s book bag. Please mark your correspondence 'for the attention of the Chair of Governors'

Meet our Governing Body

Ella Palmer - Headteacher

I am very proud to have worked as Headteacher at Wootey Infant School for 17 years. As a member of the Governing Body we work together to ensure that our core values of Happiness Respect and Creativity feature in all that we do in our school. When I am not at school I enjoy time with my husband Mark and our 18 year old son Tom. We have fun camping, walking and cycling together. I also play Hockey each Saturday for Romsey Hockey Club which I joined when I was 11!

Sarah Thirkell - LEA Governor, Chair of Governors

My name is Sarah Thirkell and have recently been appointed as the Chair of Governors for Wootey Infant School. I have been a governor since 2010 when my son had just started at Wootey Infant School.

During my time as a governor I have also been chair of the resources committee (that’s mostly the non-curriculum bits e.g. premises, staff, health and safety and safeguarding).

I live in Alton with my partner Alan and our son Nathan. I was born in Anglesey and moved to Alton in 1977 when my dad was posted from Yorkshire to Odiham. I attended Wootey Junior School, Eggars and Alton College. I later took evening classes at Farnborough College for my accountancy exams and now work full time as a finance manager for Culinary Concepts, a lifestyle homewares brand based in Crondall.

My son is now at Eggars and as a family we enjoy weekends away in our camper van – nicknamed ‘Amanda Lamb’! (don’t ask!!).

I became a Governor because I wanted involvement with the school but as a working mum was unable to commit to helping in class regularly. The role is extremely rewarding and it’s great to able to give something back to the community.

Chris Lamey - Co-opted Governor - Chair of Curriculum and Standards Committee

Hello. My name is Chris Lamey and I became a Governor in May 2016. I am a retired Primary School Teacher, and always wanted to become a School Governor at my local school on retirement - to "give something back". It has proved a very happy coincidence that my local school is Wootey Infants - and my grandchildren attend the school! I come into the school regularly to "hear readers" and love the children's enthusiastic attitude to learning which the hard working staff manage to inspire. I know how important a thriving Governing Body is to the effective management of a school, and I am finding the role interesting and challenging; I feel very fortunate to be part of the Wootey Infant School team. I am thoroughly enjoying the variety of opportunities that retirement allows!

Clare Allen - Co-opted Governor, Chair of Resources Committee

I have lived in Alton for over 30 years and have always enjoyed being involved in the life of the town. My sons (now both grown up) went to school in Alton and then to Alton College. I was a Governor at St Lawrence many years ago, and now that I am working fewer hours, I am delighted that I have the time to be a Governor again. I am full of admiration for the team at Wootey Infant and I am proud to be involved with such a great school. I am linked to Robin and Wren classes; I enjoy my visits to see what the children get up to and have been known to join their morning run across the field!

I have worked in Alton schools for the past 24 years, mainly as a School Business Manager. I am currently employed part-time as a Finance Officer at Andrews’ Endowed, in Holybourne.  I love baking and have my own small catering business – Clare’s Kitchen – producing afternoon teas.

I am a keen walker, a member of Alton Methodist Church and a volunteer at the Local Foodbank.

Liza Raper - Staff Governor

Hi, my name is Liza Raper and I am a Learning Support Assistant in Wren Class. One of my other roles here at Wootey Infant School is as staff Governor. I have held this post for the last 5 years but I still learn something new with each meeting I attend. I am a Welsh girl married to a wonderful Yorkshireman who has just left the Royal air Force after 23 years service, we have a beautiful daughter who has just started an apprenticeship in Farnham. We are a very close family and love spending time with each other, walking our beagle, watching Hampshire play cricket at Ageas Bowl, eating out and relaxing with friends. Little known fact about me - I am a qualified chef and while I served in the Royal Air Force I cooked for The Red Arrow team, The Queen, Queen Mum, Charles and Diana!

Charlotte Farmer - Parent Governor

Hi, I’m Charlotte, Mum to 2 fabulous children, Abbie who is currently in year 1 at Wooteys and Benji who is 2. I have lived in Alton for around 7 years with my other half. As a family we very much enjoy our time together especially our Friday night ‘sleep overs’ in the living room, with a dvd and midnight feast at 8pm!!!

I am a qualified Social Worker currently working for Hampshire in the Family Support Service. I love my job as it’s challenging yet rewarding at the same time.

I haven’t been a parent governor for long but am already enjoying the role especially my time in the classrooms, interacting with the fantastic children and finding out about the wonderful work of the Wootey Infant School staff team. I am looking forward to supporting the Wootey team as a parent governor and seeing more of the amazing work of both the children and staff.

Trudie Cole - Parent Governor

My name is Trudie Cole and I am a Wootey Infant School parent. My son Eric is in Flamingo class. I also have a daughter, Nell, in Year 5 at Wootey Juniors. I fell in love with Wootey Infants when I came to look around before Eric started. I was really impressed by the opportunities for outdoor learning and the family feel and I am thrilled to be able to support the school as a governor. I was previously a governor at a school in Poole and hope to bring this experience, but also build on it.

I am an archaeologist and I work full time for the National Museum of the Royal Navy. My job is to head up the learning teams there so I am passionate about learning outside the classroom. This interest in outdoor learning spills over into family life - we can often be found at our allotment on a Saturday morning and like to visit historical and archaeological sites on holiday.

Jessica Anton - Parent Governor

I am Jess and I have 3 children, Cara at Wootey Junior School, Hollie at Wootey Infant School and Jack who goes to nursery.

I work at Bushy Leaze Childrens and Family Centre with children with speech and language difficulties and additional needs. We work closely with Wootey Infant School especially during transitions to school.

I remember the first time I visited Wootey Infants when choosing a school for Cara and felt how wonderful it was, from the amazing welcoming staff to the beautiful grounds! My girls are loving their time here and I am so excited to join as a governor. I am looking forward to supporting the school with the wonderful things they do!

Governor List – 2020-21 as at 07/10/2020

 Governors Appointed during the Year

Governors Resigned during the Year

Associate Governors

 Updated July 2020

Governors Attendance Record - Academic Year 19/20

Emma Hibberd resigned September 2019

Register of Governor Interests