Welcome to our Governors’ section. 

On behalf of the Governors, I would like to welcome you to our website and to our school. Welland Primary School is a vibrant, exciting place to learn and I am proud to be Chair of its Governing Body.

Our Governing Body is comprised of a team of volunteers representing parents, staff, the local community and the Multi Academy Trust (MAT).

Welland Primary School became an Academy on the 1 January 2019, forming a Multi Academy Trust along with Hanley Castle High School and Hanley Swan, Kempsey Primary School, St Gabriel’s with St. Mary’s C of E Primary School in the Hanley and Upton Educational Trust (HUET).

As a Multi Academy Trust, the Articles of Association allows the Local Governing Body to consist of up to three Parent Governors, three Staff Governors (including the Headteacher), and up to 5 Appointed Governors.

The head teacher is responsible for the internal organisation, management and control of the school and the implementation of the strategic framework established by the governing board. The HUET scheme of delegation provides the governing body with the framework with which to make strategic decisions.  The governors meet at least five times a year with committee meetings, visits to school, conversations with parents, children and staff and attendance at training sessions further supporting their understanding of how the school is operating, and the progress that the children are making against high expectations.  The priorities of the school are detailed in the School Development Plan which details how the staff of Welland Primary School are aiming to provide the children with experiences and opportunities alongside the exciting, broad and balanced curriculum that has been established.

Kind regards,

Ruth Potter

Chair of Governors

Contact details:

email: 

School address: Welland Primary School, Marlbank Road, Welland WR13 6NE

School phone number: 01684 310246

What is the role of the Governing body?

The role of the governing board is a strategic one; its key functions are to:

• set the aims and objectives for the school
• set the policies for achieving those aims and objectives
• set the targets for achieving those aims and objectives
• monitor and evaluate the progress the school is making towards achievement of its aims and objectives
• be a source of challenge and support to the headteacher (a critical friend)

Who are our governors? 

Chair of Governors

Ruth Potter

Vice Chair

Headteacher
Margaret Smith

Parent Governors

Karen McNamara

Andy George

Staff Governor
Katie Redman (Currently on MAT Leave) - Gareth Williams covering

Helen Scrivener

Appointed Governors

Audra Burton

Ruth Potter

Miranda Churchill

Co-opted Governors

Associate Members

Clerk to the Governors

Sharon Jeynes

Day to day management of the School is delegated by HUET to the Headteacher and the Local Governing Body.

Meet our Governors

The governors of Welland Primary School are immensely proud of the pupils and are committed to supporting and challenging the headteacher and staff to ensure that the children are given the understanding and abilities to live life in the 21st Century as they grow up.

Ruth Potter

My name is Ruth Potter and I was elected to be a governor in October 2019 and have now taken on the role as SEND governor and Maths governor for Welland School. I am incredibly keen to make sure Welland school is able to provide every child with an excellent education experience which is enjoyable and stimulating. As a SEND governor I aim to make sure every child is treated equally and the requirements of children with SEND are met.

I have two children at Welland school both in KS2. It is a great honour to have an influence over the education of my children and all the children at Welland school.

I have a Maths degree from Cardiff University and started my career as a scientist working in the fields of RADAR, Acoustics and Seismic. In 2007 I took a career change and qualified as a Chartered Accountant and now work in the Tax department of a local Defence & Technology FTSE 250 company.

Outside of work my main hobbies are gardening, DIY, and looking after our animals; Maisie our dog, Thumper our rabbit and our 7 chickens.

Karen McNamara

I was very proud to be elected as a Parent Governor in July 2016, with the intent to represent the views of the parents in school and the desire for all the children in school to become the best they can be, and enjoy their time at Welland Primary. I have two children at the school (one in KS1 and one in KS2). I have a first class honours degree in Environmental Chemistry, I am a Chartered Chemist and Chartered Scientist working as a waste management specialist in the electricity supply industry. It was because of this I was asked to be the lead for science for the Governors, which I was delighted to do, and is a passion of mine. I am happy to support and challenge the school as necessary, and I'm not afraid to get my hands dirty - there is not much of the school we didn't paint or improve as part of the working parties! Outside of work I love sport, especially Formula 1 and football, as well as sailing and all sorts of crafts.

Andy George

Hi there, I am a recently elected Parent Governor and I am extremely excited and proud to be able to represent all our views as parents and to help guide the children in their school journey. I have one child at the school, and another one a year or so away from joining so for me this is going to be a long term project.

I am a senior digital designer at Halfords, I have almost 20 years experience across a wide range of graphic & digital design disciplines from advertising to e-learning.

Hopefully it is with my skills and knowledge in this area that I can really help the school flourish, be it advising on how to make the website as user friendly as possible or helping us market the school as best as we possibly can, the world is our oyster in terms of how we can promote ourselves, so lets do it!

Outside of work we love family adventures, be it in the forest, on the hills or further afield on a beach. I am a very passionate sports fan, especially rugby and football.

• DfE Governors' Handbook