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:
In carrying out its duties, the Governing Body must:
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:
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 15 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 16 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 Hook.
My son is currently at Alton College 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 to be able to support the great work of the infant school. The role of a governor 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!
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 Graham - 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.
Aimee Clark - Co-Opted Governor
My name is Aimee and I have two daughters - one now at Wootey Juniors and the other at Wootey Infants. I really like living in Alton and moved here from Church Crookham in 2008 - but my husband grew up here and even went to both Wootey schools! Every time I've been into the infant school over the last few years it has felt like such a happy place with lots going on and I am pleased I am now a Governor so that I can learn more, help out and support such a positive place of learning. I work at the University for the Creative Arts in Farnham as a Senior Quality Manager which means that I help to safeguard the academic standards of the University. Although my job is in a different sector of education to the infant school, I can understand the importance of what goes on behind the scenes in education as well as all the wonderful things we can see as visitors and parents.
In my spare time I like to read fiction, listen to podcasts and do exercise classes such as Pilates and Zumba. As a family we enjoy walks in the countryside, meeting up with friends, spending time at our caravan on Hayling Island and we always look forward to going to festivals in the summer.
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 - Co-Opted 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 Familu 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!
Lisa McAllister - Co-Opted Governor
Hello, my name is Lisa McAllister, I am mum to 2 boys both of whom attended Wootey (I too went to Wootey Infant although that was a long time ago!) my eldest is now 20 and my youngest 14!
I loved the time they spent at Wootey and knew that when my life allowed me to, I wanted to return to give something back to the school that had supported, nurtured, and gave them both the best possible start to their school life.
When I am not working as an Environmental, Health and Safety Advisor, I also volunteer in the admin role for my youngest’s football team (which my husband manages) so I don’t get much spare time and haven’t yet worked out the infamous work/life balance that is spoken about, however if I do get any time I like to read or watch musicals, both of which allow me to escape briefly.
I am looking forward to being able to support the Wootey team in the years to come.