Meet the Governors

I am hoping that all of you do know me[!], but I thought that you might me be interested to hear about my role on the governing body.  An important duty of the head teacher is to sit on the governing body. My role is to provide governors with information about what is happening in school. At each governors' meeting I provide a head teacher's report which informs them about standards, progress towards the school development plan, policies written and approved, staffing, curriculum, training, pupil events and work with parents and the community.

My job is to manage the school from day to day and the governors' role is to look at the bigger picture with a more strategic perspective concerned with how the school is doing and where it is going. The governing body has a dual role. They are there to challenge and ensure that we are doing the best for the children in our care but they are also there to support our work in school.

Being part of the governing body is an interesting part of my role in school. I get to work with staff, parents and members of the local community who volunteer a significant amount of time because they have a real desire to help our children get the best experience possible.

My name is James Horan and I am an LA representative on the Governing Body at Yeadon Westfield Infant School.

I decided to apply when my daughter started to attend reception in September 2019, the reason being I just wanted to give something back to the system that helped get me to this point in my life.  I live locally with my wife and daughter.

I grew up and was schooled in various parts of Leeds and spent part of my early childhood in South Africa.  At the age of 16 I went to Thomas Danby College and completed a 3 year B/tec course in Hotel management. This enabled me to achieve my main ambition at the time which was to travel and work around the globe.  Having done that I found myself back in Leeds and I am now Head Chef at Horsforth Golf Club.

I have spent the vast majority of my adult life in hospitality but have worked as a part-time wedding photographer and digital artist.  I also managed to teach a couple of photography courses at 2 Surestart centres in Leeds.

My main focus now is my family.  Having been fortunate enough to fulfil the majority of my ‘bucket list’ my aim now is to help others do the same.

I have been teaching at Westfield Infants since 2013. I have taught in Year 1, Nursery and am currently the Reception teacher and PE Coordinator. I am also a Staff Governor. I have had this role since September 2014. 

I enjoy my role as a governor as I get to keep up to date with any changes or new plans that may be implemented in school. The responsibilities of a governor are to understand policies and data and be able to ask questions and challenge decisions made, ensuring that the interests of children, parents and staff are at the forefront of all decisions made.

Being a governor is a motivating and diverse role. I feel that it benefits me as a teacher as I have a deeper understanding of the way in which a school is run.

As well as fulfilling my role as TA and HLTA, I am also a co-opted Support Staff Governor – this is a position I have held since May 2014. I enjoy the role immensely and I’m still learning lots about how the school operates behind the scenes. There are a number of duties associated with being a governor with the main focus being on ‘setting strategic direction’, ‘asking the right questions’ and ‘understanding data’. These are all discussed in our regular meetings.

Being a governor is an interesting and varied role which helps me to understand fully my responsibilities in school and what is expected.

My name is Lisa Rollett and I became one of school’s governors in 2019. I have two children who both attended this school.

I have worked as a secondary school science teacher since 2004. Having been in or involved in education for most of my life I think it is fair to say that I am passionate that children are given the best possible introduction to learning throughout their early years – this is my main reason for wanting to become a governor.

Outside of work, I enjoy being outdoors - walking and enjoying nature. I am an avid reader and I enjoy visiting different countries.

I am very much looking forward to continuing to work with the school’s staff, along with the rest of the board of governors, to help each and every pupil thrive as they embark on their first exciting education journey.

Hi, my name is Claire Goodall and I became a school governor in November 2020.

Children are our future and I firmly believe that they all deserve to feel happy and safe to be able to grow and become the very best they can be.

I worked in a Horsforth primary school office for 10 years. For the past 2 years I have focused on bringing yoga into schools to support children’s well-being. I am really looking forward to working with the school to continue to offer the very best environment it can to let children grow and prosper.

I have 3 children who are now just about grown up. My favourite room in the house is my kitchen, I enjoy sewing, reading, live music, walking and a bit of running.

My name is Kevin Forde and I am a Foundation Governor and vice-chair at Yeadon Westfield Infant School.

When my children were growing up, I had wanted to join the governing body of their school but had too much on my plate. My university alumni association got in touch during the summer 2020 to ask if I was interested in volunteering to join a school governing board. I attended a workshop to find out more and was then keen to get involved. I lived in Guiseley at the time so was really happy that the first school I was offered was nearby.

I gained a BEng in Electronics and then spent a 25 year career as a systems analyst and software developer working on large-scale projects like the Oyster card system used on the London Underground. I also had a business developing bespoke software for small businesses.

These days I have a business where I train and mentor people to start a business that is flexible and enables them to earn residual income. I now choose when I work which gives me the chance to spend at least one day a week with my grandchildren.

Gavin Phillis

Hi, my name is Gavin Phillis. I have been fortunate to bring four children into this world. My three boys attend Yeadon Westfield Infants. Twins in year two and my youngest has just started the school nursery.

It is a privilege to be parent governor for Yeadon Westfield Infants, and I look forward to bringing a parental perspective to the governing body. My aim is to help the board understand a parent viewpoint and I will work collaboratively with staff as a “critical friend” with the school's best interests at heart.

Health, well-being and inclusion is a passion of mine, so where I can, I will do my upmost to ensure the work of the governing body encompasses this to nurture the whole person.

I currently work for NHS England in the Primary Care Transformation Team. My work includes project, programme and strategic management. In my previous profession I worked closely with schools to implement Sport and Physical Activity strategies for all children and young people. I can transfer my skills, and will utilise my knowledge and understanding of the education system to try identify positive opportunities to help the school develop and succeed

My name is Abbie Swales and I am delighted to join the governors as a co-opted governor, having attended Westfield Infants School many years ago. I am a solicitor at a large commercial law firm in Leeds and am passionate about developing children’s interest in school and academics from the very beginning. I have recently had my first child but when I have spare time I enjoy watching Formula 1 and ice skating.

Luke Watts

My name is Luke, I am a co-opted governor for the school. I come from a background in teaching and want to give back to my local community. My son attends the school also. I'm looking forward to having an impact on teaching and learning in school.

Carly Scargill

Hi I’m Carly Scargill and I have had 3 children thrive at this school. I became a Parent Governor to try and give something back and I’m looking forward to spending time here!  In my spare time I love walking my dog, reading and all things nature related!