Our Governing Body grew to 10 members from 1st December 2021, due to the expansion of the school. In addition, we have one associate governor.
We come from a variety of backgrounds and bring different skills and expertise, but we are all committed to ensuring that West Oaks provides a safe, happy learning environment and that our pupils receive the best education possible.
The Governors are responsible for:
- ensuring that the visions, ethos and strategic direction of the school are clearly defined
- ensuring that the senior leadership team performs their responsibilities for the educational performance of the school;
- ensuring the sound, proper and effective use of the school’s financial resources.
The chair of the governing body is Ben Thaler, he can be contacted at [email protected]
Each year the governors are required to declare any relevant business and pecuniary interests. This includes business interests in the school, financial interests, being a governor at another school, being related to another member of staff. All governors have voting rights.
All governors made a nil return with the exception of Ben Thaler – he is Director of Normanton Freeston Foundation Limited and Chair of Governors at Outwood Grange Academy – Freeston
Co-opted (appointed by the governing body)
Ben Thaler – 08/02/2022 – 30/09/2026
Term as Chair – 27/03/24 – 30/09/2026
Elaine Hampson (Vice Chair) 15/09/2021 – 30/09/2026
Term as Vice Chair 14/09/2022 – 30/09/2026
John Normington 01/12/2021 – 03/03/2025
Lynne Fickling 01/03/2022 – 28/02/2026
LA (1) (appointed by the LA)
Joy Boyce 12/06/2024-12/06/2028
Parents (3) (elected by parents of the school)
Chris Tolson – 06/12/2023 – 05/12/2027
Terence Karran 01/09/09/2021 – 01/09/2025
Mohammad Shan-A-Kuda 18/09/2024 – 18/09/2028
Headteacher
Andrew Hodkinson
Staff (1) (appointed by staff)
Katie Hurley – 13/03/2019 – 10/03/2027
Committee Membership
Business Planning
Ben Thaler (Chair)
Andrew Hodkinson
Elaine Hampson
Lynne Fickling
Mohammad Shan-A-Khuda
Keeley Murray (In attendance)
John Hayton (Associate)
Simon Wilson (in attendance)
Liz Mason (In attendance/clerk)
Standards, Achievement and Safeguarding
Elaine Hampson (Chair)
Andrew Hodkinson
Terence Karran
Katie Hurley
John Normington
Joy Boyce
Keeley Murray (in attendance)
Anna Stevens (in attendance)
Liz Mason (Clerk)
Premises and Health and Safety
Chris Tolson (Chair)
Elaine Hampson
Katie Hurley
Andrew Hodkinson
Keeley Murray (in attendance)
Simon Wilson (in attendance)
Liz Mason (Clerk)
Headteacher Performance Management
Ben Thaler (Chair)
Elaine Hampson
Terence Karran
Pay Appeals Committe
Chris Tolson
John Normington
Joy Boyce
Governor Responsibilities
Child Protection/Safeguarding – Elaine Hampson
Pupil Attendance – John Normington
Children Looked After – Ben Thaler
Pupil premium- Terence Karran
PE and Sports premium – Ben Thaler
Equality – Terence Karran
EYFS – Elaine Hampson/Joy Boyce
Governor Training – Ben Thaler
Health and Safety – Elaine Hampson
Complaints – Ben Thaler/Elaine Hampson
Wellbeing – pupils and staff – Lynne Fickling/Joy Boyce
Cyber Security Link Governor – Chris Tolson
Website – Chris Tolson
Woodhouse Link Governor – Mohammad Shan-A Khuda
Boston Spa Link Governor- Chris Tolson
Headingley Link Governor – Terence Karran
Committee membership and meeting dates
These are described in the attached
Governing Body Attendance 2022- 2023
West-Oaks School -GB-Attendance-2022 to 2023
