In September 2015 the Governing Body elected to reconstitute, in keeping with statutory guidance from the Department for Education. We took this decision as it allowed us to change the numbers and types of governors we have and to appoint more people on the basis of the skills they could bring.

The Governing Body now consists of:

• The headteacher
• one elected staff governor
• two parent governors
• three co-opted governors

The standard term of office for a governor is four years. The chair and vice-chair are elected annually at the first meeting of the academic year.

Contact email address: governors@wideycourt.plymouth.sch.uk

           Mr Shaun Nicholls, Headteacher

• A member of the governing body by virtue of position,  September 2013 onwards
• Sits on all committees
• Governor attendance 2017/2018 - 8/8 Local Governing Body meetings
• Governor attendance 2018/2019 - 7/7  Local Governing Body meeting
• Governor attendance 2019/2020 (18/9/2019 17/10/2019 6/11/2019 16/01/2020 20/05/2020 16/6/2020 8/7/2020)
• Governor attendance 2020/2021 (16/9/2020, 21/10/2020, 2/12/2020, 27/1/2021, 10/3/2021, 5/5/2021, 7/7/2021)
• Governor attendance 2021/2022 (29/9/2021, 20/10/2021, 18/11/2021, 27/1/2022, 22/3/2022, 18/5/2022, 12/7/2022)
• Governor attendance 2022/2023 (19/10/2022, 8/12/2022, 23/2/2023, 3/5/2023, 13/7/2023)
• Governor attendance 2023/2024 (19/10/2023)
• Register of Interests: Director of Plymouth Learning Partnership (PLP)

MR JONATHON BRADBURY - PARENT GOVERNOR

• Parent Governor - voted on to Governing Body on 19/10/2023
• Responsible for Year 1 (STEM)
• Governor Attendance - (19/10/23,)

          Mr Michael Carter - Vice Chair & Co-opted Governor

• Co-opted by governing body as a Business governor 13/09/2018 - 31/8/24
• Elected as Vice Chair 3/5/2023 until July 2023
• Responsible for:
• PR and surveys
• Year group responsibility for Year 3
• Governor attendance 2017/2018 (as of 12/7/18) 8/8 Full Governing Body meetings
• Governor attendance 2018/2019 7/7 Governing Body meeting
• Governor attendance 2019/2020 (18/9/2019 17/10/2019 6/11/2019 16/01/2020 20/05/2020 16/6/2020 8/7/2020)
• Governor attendance 2020/2021 (16/9/2020, 21/10/2020, 2/12/2020, 27/1/21, 10/3/21, 5/5/21, 7/7/21)
• Governor attendance 2021/2022 (29/9/2021, 20/10/2021, 18/11/2021, 27/1/2022, 18/5/2022, 12/7/2022)
• Governor attendance 2022/2023 (19/10/2022, 8/12/2022, 23/2/2023, 3/5/2023, 13/7/2023)
• Register of interest: married to member of school staff

Born in St Budeaux in 1960 and educated at Southway Junior/Comprehensive schools with further education at Plymouth College of Further Education. I Spent 14 years as a Quantity Surveyor until 1993 when I became employed at the Child Maintenance Service.
I have seen both of my daughters very successfully move through Widey Court School, the eldest has completed her Degree course (working in television) and my youngest is currently at university completing her Masters in Zoology.

I have been a Governor at Widey for about 19 years, starting as a Parent Governor then a Community Governor and now Co-opted. I have previously been Chair of Governors and Chair of the Buildings Sub-Committee.

The key issues for me at the moment are the political agenda that we have to work under, regardless of the political party in Government and the financial constraints placed upon us by them. Both of these issues have a direct bearing on the quality of education at Widey, and all schools, so it is part of my role to ensure that we achieve the best possible funding and we achieve value for money in its expenditure.

The role of the Governor can be time consuming, frustrating, challenging but more than anything, interesting and immensely rewarding to know that I can have a positive impact on the education and social inclusion of all the pupils at the school.

                  Mrs Veronica Clarke

• Co-opted by Governing Body as Pastoral governor - 18/09/2019 until 17/09/2023
• Responsible for:
• PR and Surveys
• Responsible for Year 5
• Governor attendance for 2019 2/2 Local Governing Body meetings
• Governor attendance 2019/2020 (16/01/2020 20/05/2020 16/6/2020 8/7/2020)
• Governor attendance 2020/2021 (21/10/2020, 2/12/2020, 27/1/2021, 10/3/2021, 5/5/2021, 7/7/2021)
• Governor attendance 2021/2022 (29/9/2021, 18/11/2021, 27/1/2022, 22/3/2022, 18/5/2022, 12/7/2022)
• Governor attendance 2022/2023 (19/10/2022, 8/12/2022, 23/2/2023, 3/5/2023, 13/7/2023)
• Governor attendance 2023/2024 (19/10/23)
• Register Of Interest: member of staff

      Mrs Maria Dawes

• Co-opted Safeguarding Governor 14/06/2017- 31/8/24

• Responsible for:

• Safeguarding

• Learning Environment

• Year group responsibility Year 6

• Governor attendance 2017/2018 (as of 12/7/18) 7/8 full Governing Body meetings

• Governor attendance 2018/2019 6/7 Governing Body meeting

• Governor attendance 2019/2020 (18/9/2019 16/01/2020 20/05/2020 16/6/2020 8/7/2020)

• Governor attendance 2020/2021 (16/9/2020, 21/10/2020, 2/12/2020, 27/1/21, 10/3/21, 5/5/21, 7/7/21)

• Governor attendance 2021/2022 (29/9/2021,20/10/2021, 18/11/2021, 27/1/2022, 22/3/2022, 12/7/2022)

• Governor attendance 2022/2023 (19/10/2022, 23/2/2023, 3/5/2023, 13/7/2023)

• Register of interest: casual employment at Widey Court School.

I have worked in the voluntary role of Parent Governor at Widey Court since May 2013, having been inspired to apply for the post after seeing how my children, as new Service Pupils, were embraced by the school. I wanted to give something back and was impressed by Widey’s willingness to target the Service Pupil Premium to support children affected by the challenges of their parents’ service to society; an approach which has earned the school national recognition and continues to see members of staff called upon to advise other schools on how to do such a great job.

I help to run the Keeping in Touch (KIT) Club for Service pupils at Widey, enjoy the opportunity to assist in bringing various forms of Service support and funding to the school (which then benefits the entire school community) and have been Chair of the Curriculum Committee. Currently, I have the role of Safeguarding Governor, which is a critical and ever-changing area and provide opportunities to work with a range of Widey’s valued members of staff.

As a parent, being connected to education by my previous work as an English teacher and being an active member of Plymouth’s Service community provides me with good awareness as a Widey governor. I therefore value the opportunity to help ensure Widey Court Primary School offers each of its amazing pupils, and their families, the best possible experience of primary education.

 Miss A Griffiths - Staff Governor

• Staff Governor 2/12/2020 for 4 years
• Year Group Responsibility - Year 2
• Governor Attendance 2020/2021 (2/12/2020, 27/1/2021, 10/3/2021, 5/5/2021, 7/7/2021)
• Governor Attendance 2021/2022 (29/9/2021, 20/10/2021, 18/11/2021, 27/1/2022, 22/3/2022, 18/5/2022, 12/7/2022)
• Governor Attendance 2022/2023 (19/10/2022, 8/12/2022, 23/2/2023, 3/5/2023, 13/7/2023)

I first joined the school in 2012. In the last eight years I have had opportunity to perform various roles as class teacher, University Mentor for both Plymouth University and Marjon, Year Leader and RE Curriculum lead to name a few all with diverse responsibilities. This has given me a broad perspective of the needs of the school, both pastorally and educationally. I care deeply that the success of the school depends on the support of the leadership team, teachers and teaching assistants, parents and importantly governors working together to provide the best learning interventions for all stakeholders. I consider that at this point in my career I have the experience and perspective to add value to the Governing Board especially by representing my fellow professionals. I care passionately in the value that the governing body can bring, and I enjoy being able to participate in increasing the profile of the school within the Connect Academy but also in serving the wider community.   

Outside of school, I travel (when we can), enjoy walking and charity challenges, and most importantly spend time with my family and friends. 

BA Hons University of Exeter 2008

PGCE Early Years with Early Years Professional Status 2010

PGCE Primary Education with QTS 2011

             Mr Spencer Tall -  Chair

• Year Group Responsibility - Year 4
• Elected as Chair 3/5/2023 until July 2024
• Elected as Parent Governor 12/11/2021 for 4 years
• Responsible for:
• Elected as Vice Chair 19/10/2022 
• Governor attendance 2021/2022 (18/11/2021, 27/1/2022, 22/3/2022, 18/5/2022, 12/7/2022)
• Governor attendance 2022/2023 (19/10/2022, 8/12/2022, 23/2/2023, 3/5/2023, 13/7/2023)
• Governor attendance 2023/2024 (19/10/2023)
• Register Of Interest: 

I have recently been appointed to the voluntary role as Parent Governor. My youngest daughter currently attends Widey Court and my eldest daughter is a former pupil. The school have served my daughters so well over the years and I saw the opportunity of Parent Governor as a chance to give something back. I am also involved in a number of initiatives involving young people, such as STEM and acting as a mentor for University Students undertaking a years experience within industry.

I have been a Civil Servant for over 26 years working for Navy Command as part of the Ministry of Defence within engineering and project delivery.

Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, watching sport, gym, reading and cooking.

I am very much looking forward to fulfilling the role of Parent Governor and contributing to the Widey Court Community.

             Mrs Julie McDonald - Clerk

Commenced July 2015

Retired Governors

Governors who have served on Widey Court’s Governing Body in the last twelve months are:

Mr Andy Moore -            01/12/2006 - 19.07.2019 Attendance (as of 11/07/2019) attended 4/10 Full Governing Body Meetings.

Miss Georgia Carney-    01/09/2017 - November 2020.

Mrs Alyson Lawrence - 25/09/2017 - 21/01/2022

Mr Jonathan Thomas -  Resigned on 20/3/2023

Mr Barry Sullivan - resigned on 19/7/2023