About the Governing Body
The governing body provides strategic leadership and accountability. It has three key functions:
• Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent
• Holding the Headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils
• Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
These key are functions are delivered through four focussed committees. These are:
• Curriculum and quality assurance
• Finance and general purpose
• Health and safety, site and buildings
• Pay and personnel
For further information about the roles and responsibilities of each committee, please click the links above to view/download additional information.
There are four different categories of Governor at Withernsea High School:
Categories of Governor | |||
Co-opted | Local Authority | Staff | Parent |
Co-opted Governors are appointed by the governing body. They are people, who in the opinion of the governing body, have the skills required to contribute to the effective governance and success of the school. |
Local Authority Governors are nominated by East Riding of Yorkshire Council but appointed by the governing body. |
Both teaching and support staff are eligible to be Staff Governors. Their role will not be to represent staff but to operate as part of the governing body to provide strategic leadership and to hold the Headteacher to account. |
Parent Governors are elected by other parents/carers of students at the school. Any parent, which includes a person with parental responsibility, or carer, of a registered pupil at the school at the time of election is eligible to stand. When vacancies arise, the Headteacher will write to parents/carers to seek nominations. |
Members of the Governing Body
Name: |
Mrs Caroline Heaton |
Status: | Active |
Position of responsibility: |
Chair of Governors |
Date of appointment: |
10th March 2005 |
Current term of office ends: |
13th November 2023 |
Appointing body: |
Co-opted Governor |
Committees serving on: |
• Full governing body |
Voting rights: |
Yes |
Special responsibilities: |
• Safeguarding |
Curriculum links: |
• Progress/Personal Development (SIP Objective 3) |
Governance roles in other educational institutions: |
None to declare |
General information: |
'I have been a governor at Withernsea High School since March 2003 and Chair of Governors since the autumn term of 2011. |
Pecuniary interests: |
None to declare |
Relationships to staff: |
None to declare |
Name: |
Mrs Alexandra Henderson MBE |
Status: | Active |
Position of responsibility: |
• Vice Chair of Governors |
Date of appointment: |
23rd October 2013 |
Current term of office ends: |
13th November 2023 |
Appointing body: |
Co-opted Governor |
Committees serving on: |
• Full governing body |
Voting rights: |
Yes |
Special responsibilities: |
None |
Curriculum links: |
• Teaching (SIP Objective 2) |
Governance roles in other educational institutions: |
None to declare |
General information: |
'I have been a governor for many years, initially at Hull College and then at Sirius Academy, Hull. Having lived in Holderness for over 40 years, I understand the role the school has in the fabric of the local community with many generations being past pupils of Withernsea High School. |
Pecuniary interests: |
None to declare |
Relationships to staff: |
None to declare |
Name: |
Mr Matthew Ainley |
Status: | Active |
Position of responsibility: |
• Chair of Finance and General Purpose |
Date of appointment: |
1st February 2013 |
Current term of office ends: |
7th May 2023 |
Appointing body: |
Co-opted Governor |
Committees serving on: |
• Full governing body |
Voting rights: |
Yes |
Special responsibilities: |
• Health and safety |
Curriculum links: |
None |
Governance roles in other educational institutions: |
None to declare |
General information: |
'Local retired Police Officer for Holderness. RNLI Volunteer. Continuing to work with the school offering support and help when needed to benefit our students.' |
Pecuniary interests: |
None to declare |
Relationships to staff: |
Daughter, Miss H Ainley, is the school's Attendance Officer. |
Name: |
Mr Mike Cargill |
Status: | Active |
Position of responsibility: |
Co-opted Governor |
Date of appointment: |
1st September 2021 |
Current term of office ends: |
31st August 2025 |
Appointing body: |
Governing Body |
Committees serving on: |
• Full governing body |
Voting rights: |
Yes |
Special responsibilities: |
None |
Curriculum links: |
• Careers Education Information Advice and Guidance • Community and Post-16 provision |
Governance roles in other educational institutions: |
n/a |
General information: |
'I have been actively involved with Withernsea High School for many years and have now decided to become a governor to further support the school in its’ development in the areas of STEM and Careers Information Advice and guidance. Since 2012 I have co-run the annual Girls into Engineering events with Withernsea, hosted by Wilberforce College. I have run several STEM days at the school and believe that it is incumbent on the whole school community to help young adults understand the many options open to them as they progress through education. In my professional life I am a chartered civil engineer and have worked in education since 1995 as a secondary school teacher, in apprentice training and now as an education consultant specialising in STEM delivery and resource development.' |
Pecuniary interests: |
None to declare |
Relationships to staff: |
None to declare |
Name: |
Mr Mark Crofts |
Status: | Active |
Position of responsibility: |
Headteacher |
Date of appointment: |
1st April 2018 |
Current term of office ends: |
Governor whilst Headteacher |
Appointing body: |
Full governing body |
Committees serving on: |
• Full governing body |
Voting rights: |
Yes |
Special responsibilities: |
Safeguarding |
Curriculum links: |
n/a |
Governance roles in other educational institutions: |
None to declare |
General information: |
Qualified as a geography teacher in 1995. Taught at Perronet Thompson, Driffield School, Head of Department at Malet Lambert. Enjoys making the most of the local area through cycling and walking. Loves climbing, being in the mountains and exploring wild places, including on our doorstep. |
Pecuniary interests: |
None to declare |
Relationships to staff: |
None to declare |
Name: |
Mrs Jane Johnson |
Status: | Active |
Position of responsibility: |
Committee Governor |
Date of appointment: |
18th May 2021 |
Current term of office ends: |
17th May 2025 |
Appointing body: |
Parent Governor |
Committees serving on: |
• Full governing body |
Voting rights: |
Yes |
Special responsibilities: |
None |
Curriculum links: |
LAC and Post-LAC |
Governance roles in other educational institutions: |
None to declare |
General information: |
'I joined the governing body in 2021 as a Parent Governor. I am a qualified teacher with experience in both primary and secondary schools. I hope to provide support in achieving continued and improved standards whilst maintaining pupils’ positive experiences at Withernsea High School.' |
Pecuniary interests: |
None to declare |
Relationships to staff: |
None to declare |
Name: |
Mrs Elaine McCreaddie |
Status: | End of term of office (10th May 2021) |
Position of responsibility: |
Staff Governor |
Date of appointment: |
1st December 2012 |
Current term of office ends: |
10th May 2021 |
Appointing body: |
Full Governing Body |
Committees serving on: |
• Full governing body |
Voting rights: |
Yes |
Special responsibilities: |
SEN, Inclusion and Flexible Provision |
Curriculum links: |
None |
Governance roles in other educational institutions: |
Governance panel for East Riding Virtual School for CLA |
General information: |
'I have worked at Withernsea High School for over 30 years and am currently the Learning Support Manager. I also have responsibility for Children Looked After who attend the school. I have lived in Withernsea all my life and attended the school as a pupil many years ago! In addition, both my children attended the school. |
Pecuniary interests: |
None to declare |
Relationships to staff: |
None to declare |
Name: |
Mr Jason McKinley |
Status: | Active |
Position of responsibility: |
Chair of Finance and General Purpose |
Date of appointment: |
20th October 2021 |
Current term of office ends: |
19th October 2025 |
Appointing body: |
Local Authority Governor |
Committees serving on: |
• Full governing body |
Voting rights: |
Yes |
Special responsibilities: |
Curriculum |
Curriculum links: |
• English |
Governance roles in other educational institutions: |
None to declare |
General information: |
As a former student and school officer of Withernsea High School, Jason left the town of his birth to secure a Geography & Geology B.Sc. (Joint Hons.) degree at the University of Manchester, followed by a M.Sc.(Eng.) degree in Water Resources, Technology & Management at the University of Birmingham. |
Pecuniary interests: |
None to declare |
Relationships to staff: |
None to declare |
Name: |
Mrs Deborah Miller |
Status: | Active |
Position of responsibility: |
Committee Governor |
Date of appointment: |
2nd March 2018 |
Current term of office ends: |
1st March 2022 |
Appointing body: |
Parent Governor |
Committees serving on: |
• Full governing body |
Voting rights: |
Yes |
Special responsibilities: |
None |
Curriculum links: |
• Curriculum (SIP Objective 1) |
Governance roles in other educational institutions: |
None to declare |
General information: |
'I was born in Hull and educated in the west of the city. |
Pecuniary interests: |
None to declare |
Relationships to staff: |
None to declare |
Name: |
Mrs Melinda Overton |
Status: | End of term of office (13th May 2021) |
Position of responsibility: |
Committee Governor |
Date of appointment: |
14th November 2016 |
Current term of office ends: |
13th May 2021 |
Appointing body: |
Parent Governor |
Committees serving on: |
• Full governing body |
Voting rights: |
Yes |
Special responsibilities: |
SEN, Inclusion and Flexible Provision |
Curriculum links: |
None |
Governance roles in other educational institutions: |
None to declare |
General information: |
'I have been a Parent Governor at Withernsea High School since November 2016.
|
Pecuniary interests: |
None to declare |
Relationships to staff: |
None to declare |
Name: |
Professor John Quicke |
Status: | End of term of office (13th March 2021) |
Position of responsibility: |
Committee Governor |
Date of appointment: |
24th April 2013 |
Current term of office ends: |
13th September 2020 |
Appointing body: |
Local Authority Governor |
Committees serving on: |
• Full governing body |
Voting rights: |
Yes |
Special responsibilities: |
• SEN, Inclusion and The LOFT |
Curriculum links: |
None |
Governance roles in other educational institutions: |
None to declare |
General information: |
'I am a retired professor of education who worked in the School of Education, University of Sheffield, for over twenty years. Before that I worked as a teacher in primary and secondary schools and as an educational psychologist in Slough and Durham. I have been a school governor at Withernsea for nearly eight years and have had responsibility for SEN, Inclusion, The LOFT and training. |
Pecuniary interests: |
None to declare |
Relationships to staff: |
None to declare |
Name: |
Mrs Victoria Spencer |
Status: | Active |
Position of responsibility: |
Committee Governor |
Date of appointment: |
18th May 2021 |
Current term of office ends: |
17th May 2025 |
Appointing body: |
Parent Governor |
Committees serving on: |
• Full governing body |
Voting rights: |
Yes |
Special responsibilities: |
None |
Curriculum links: |
• SEN |
Governance roles in other educational institutions: |
None to declare |
General information: |
'I am a former student of Withernsea High School and live in the local area. I have worked for the Local Authority for just over 14 years, where my work has been in youth services, youth justice, early help and family support and, more recently, moving into managing an area of the emotional and well-being service. I am new to being a governor, however I feel strongly that my experience and passion for young people to be able to fulfil their potential will allow me to contribute positively to this role.' |
Pecuniary interests: |
None to declare |
Relationships to staff: |
None to declare |
Name: |
Mrs Claire Tomes |
Status: | Active |
Position of responsibility: |
Staff Governor |
Date of appointment: |
26th May 2020 |
Current term of office ends: |
25th May 2024 |
Appointing body: |
Staff Governor |
Committees serving on: |
• Full governing body |
Voting rights: |
Yes |
Special responsibilities: |
Safeguarding |
Curriculum links: |
Pupil Premium |
Governance roles in other educational institutions: |
None to declare |
General information: |
'I have worked at Withernsea High School since 2005 and during that time I have been a Teaching Assistant, a Teacher, and now the Deputy Safeguarding Lead. My three sons attended Withernsea High School and I was a Parent Governor for a while before I was employed here. In my spare time, I enjoy holidaying in my motorhome, walking my dog, and watching rugby. I am the treasurer of our local Rugby Union team, Withernsea RUFC.' |
Pecuniary interests: |
None to declare |
Relationships to staff: |
None to declare |
Name: |
Miss Daisy Turner |
Status: | Active |
Position of responsibility: |
Co-opted Teacher Governor |
Date of appointment: |
13th December 2019 |
Current term of office ends: |
18th December 2023 |
Appointing body: |
Governing Body |
Committees serving on: |
• Full governing body |
Voting rights: |
Yes |
Special responsibilities: |
Training Link |
Curriculum links: |
None |
Governance roles in other educational institutions: |
None to declare |
General information: |
'I grew up locally and attended Withernsea High School as a pupil. |
Pecuniary interests: |
None to declare |
Relationships to staff: |
None to declare |
Clerk to the Governors
Name: |
Mrs Fay Crawforth |
Status: | Active |
Position of responsibility: |
Clerk to the Governing Body |
Current term of office ends: |
n/a |
Appointing body: |
Full Governing Body |
Committees attended: |
• Finance and general purpose |
Voting rights: |
No |
Special responsibilities: |
n/a |
Curriculum links: |
None |
Governance roles in other educational institutions: |
None to declare |
General information: |
'I have been employed as the Clerk to the Governing Body at Withernsea High School since September 2014. My other clerking commitments included acting as Clerk of the Finance Committee at another local primary school. My role at Withernsea High School also includes being PA to the Senior Leadership Group. I attend all meetings relating to Governors, with the exception of the Full Governing Body, which is clerked by East Riding of Yorkshire Council.' |
Pecuniary interests: |
None to declare |
Relationships to staff: |
None to declare |