The Governing Body works with the Headteacher and staff to make sure the school provides an excellent quality of education for all its pupils.

Governors are volunteers elected to the Governing Body for a fixed term bringing specialist skills and experience in order that its core strategic functions are met.

The Governing Body is part of the strategic leadership of the school.  Governors are not expected to make day-to-day decisions about how the school is run; that is the role of the Headteacher and Senior Leadership Team. 

Governors have a strong focus on three core strategic functions:

1. “Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;
2. Holding the Headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the performance management of staff; and
3. Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.”

(Reference Department for Education – Governors’ Handbook)

This means that as school governors we will be involved in many aspects of running the school including how the budget should be spent, making sure the school building is welcoming, safe and fit for purpose, setting and monitoring the school's aims and policies and agreeing the curriculum.

The Full Governing Body meets in full every half term to conduct its business. 

Governors' Profiles

Profiles for Willowbrook School Governors

Rob Fryer (Chair, Co-opted Governor)

I became a Parent Governor in 2018 and Co-opted in 2021 when I was appointed Chair. After working in Human Resources Management for 15 years across the manufacturing and professional services sectors, I spent 7 years as Director of Student Experience at a leading University.  I am now an Executive Director at a small charity called Now Teach that inspires and supports career changers to become secondary school teachers. I am a qualified coach with the Institute of Leadership and Management and have a Masters Degree in Human Resource Management. I have two children who attend the school and one who recently left for secondary school. I really enjoy working with such a talented leadership team and hope to bring all my experience and knowledge to help make Willowbrook an even better school.

Kate McLeod (Vice Chair, Parent Governor)

I joined the Governing Body as a Parent Governor in September 2021 and became Vice Chair in September 2023. I currently have responsibility for Finance, SVFS, Health & Safety & Premises as well as being a class governor for Cherry Class. I have one child in Willowbrook in Oak class and another who left Year 6 very recently. I currently work for an investment bank as head of their Procurement Team and have twenty years experience in financial services. I’ve seen my children blossom at Willowbrook and hope I can help and support the school to carry on its journey of continuous improvement.

Chris Leyland (Parent Governor)

Information to follow

Christian Howe (Co-opted Governor)

Information to follow

Joseph Fielder (Co-opted Governor)

Information to follow.

Rebecca Crow (LA Governor)

Having joined the Willowbrook school Board of Governors in 2022, I have responsibility for the School Council and English.  I have worked for over 15 years in the financial sector as a Senior Executive Assistant, and previously travelled the world as long-haul Cabin Crew.  I am a mature student, in my 5th year studying for a BA Hons degree with the Open University and am mum to my little boy who is 7 years old and attends a local primary school.  I am very interested in personal development and supporting mental health. I am really excited to be part of Willowbrook family and look forward to learning about the school and helping to achieve its vision.

Luke Hamm (Parent Governor)

I am delighted to be appointed as a parent Governor from November 2023. I have 2 children currently at Willowbrook and my wife attended the school 30 years ago! I have spent my career in professional and financial services covering sales & marketing, strategy, corporate development and employee engagement. I have held senior leadership roles for both blue chip businesses as well as SMEs and currently lead the UK division of a private equity backed global specialist consulting business. I hope my experience can support the school leadership and help drive the school forward.

Governing Body

Willowbrook Primary Full Governing Committee Membership and Lead Governor Appointments

NAME	DATE OF APPOINTMENT	TERM EXPIRY	CATEGORY	POSITION & RESPONSIBILITIES
Clare Branton	31.08.14	31.08.26	Governing Body	Headteacher
Jolami Youngblood	29.01.25	29.01.29	Governing Body	Deputy Headteacher/SENCO
Chris Leyland	20.09.24	19.09.28	Elected by parents	English
Kate McLeod	21.09.24	20.09.28	Governing Body	Vice Chair of FGB Finance/SFVS/Premises and H&S/Chair of FWG
Rob Fryer	13.09.21	12.09.25	Governing Body	Chair of FGB/Safeguarding incl. monitoring and filtering/attendance.
Rebecca Crow	05.10.22	04.10.26	Local Authority	FWG/Pay Committee/School Council/HT performance Management
Bruce Shrimplin	30.10.23	29.10.27	Elected by staff	KS1 Lead
Luke Hamm	30.10.23	29.10.27	Elected by parents	FWG/Science/Comms/wellbeing
Joseph Fielder	01.07.24	30.06.28	Governing Body	Maths/SEND (including PPG and disadvantage)
Christian Howe	26.03.25	25.03.29	Governing Body	P.E/premises and H & S
Tracy Smart	N/A	N/A	Observer	School Business Manager
Susan Fuller	N/A	N/A	Clerk	Clerk

 

Governors that have left in the last 12 months:

Jo Cox, resigned July 23

Colin Hunt, resigned July 23

Sunj Notani, resigned July 2024

Lisa Madsen-Lumaya, resigned March 2024

Kathryn Kaliar, resigned March 2024

Pay & Personnel Committee:

Kate McCleod/Rebecca Crow/Joseph Fielder

HT Performance Management Panel:

Rebecca Crow/Rob Fryer/Ann Robinson (External Advisor)

WILLOWBROOK PRIMARY SCHOOL

DECLARATION OF ANNUAL BUSINESS INTERESTS 2023/24 (updated 24^th November 2023)

Governors

Name	Position in school	Declaration	Date of completion
Rob Fryer	Chair FGB	University of Leicester	20.09.23
Kate McLeod	Vice Chair FGB	None	18.09.23
Rebecca Crow	Governor	Friend of parent at Willowbrook School	10.10.23
Luke Hamm	Governor	CEO and Shareholder of Source Advisors UK/Related to Headteacher and the Clerk to the Governors at All Saints Primary School	27.11.23
Joseph Fielder	Governor	None	16.09.2024
Chris Leyland	Governor	Business or finance interests, Director of Digital Commerce at Deloitte MCS Ltd	09.01.2025
Christian Howe	Governor

Staff with financial responsibilities and Senior Management Team

Name	Position in school	Declaration	Date of completion
Clare Branton	Headteacher	None	18.09.23
Jolami Youngblood	Deputy Headteacher/SENCO	5 Star Basketball (Husband)/Essex Music Services (Mother)	15.09.23
Bruce Shrimplin	KS1 Lead	None	24.11.23
Toni Gadd	School Administrator	None	12.11.24
Tracy Smart	School Business Manager	None	05.02.24
Maria Brothers	School Administrator	None	26.11.24

Willowbrook Primary School – Governors’ Attendance 2023/24 (updated November 2023)

Willowbrook Primary School – Governors’ Attendance 2024/25 (updated Sept 2024)