Governance Information

Governing Body

The staff and Governors at Westgate work very closely together. Any of them can be contacted through the school office. Several of them are also parents of pupils and are often around at the beginning and end of the school day.

Chair

Matthew Fortune (Co-opted Governor, online safety governor; 02/03/2023 - 02/03/2027)

I have lived in Otley for most of my life and have deep family roots in the town, so I have a strong connection to Westgate Primary and the local community. My eldest daughter is a former pupil and my son is a current pupil, so I have experienced the school as a parent for a number of years. I have been an active member of the Friends of Westgate, which has given me a good understanding of the value that the community adds to the school.

Professionally, I work in high-tech computing. Part of my role is about making sure organisations do what they say they do, and do it well — which turns out to be a useful skill set for a school governor.

Outside of work and family life, I am a local Beaver Scout leader, which means I know a variety of the children in our community and understand what helps young people get the most out of their early years. I am easy-going and approachable, and I became a governor because I want to do my bit to support the school in giving every child at Westgate the best possible start. If you see me around school, please do say hello.

chair@westgateprimary.co.uk

Laura Boddy (Parent Governor & chair of the curriculum committee; 30/09/2023 - 30/09/2027) 

I’m an experienced Secondary English teacher, holding varied roles within three very different schools in my 21 year career. I was previously a lead teacher with responsibility for Teaching and Learning at a school in central Bradford working with a high percentage of students with varied educational and social needs. I have also worked at Tadcaster, developing a broad and balanced school curriculum. I am currently Faculty Leader for English and Media in St Marys' Menston, so I have a breadth of relevant teaching and learning knowledge and experience. I feel I bring a fresh perspective and additional expertise in the field of learning to the governing body. 

Laura Bibby (Parent Governor, 27/03/2024- 27/03/2028)  

I am a qualified teacher and have worked in the education sector since graduating from university. I began by working across sport development initiatives with The FA and Sport England, developing and promoting opportunities to get more students active. Now, I am working in a national role at a membership organisation for colleges, championing and influencing education policy. I take a lead on further education projects, which involves preparing staff for curriculum and education reform and informing and upskilling teachers and practitioners, ensuring learning and teaching is more meaningful and effective. Both of my children attend Westgate Primary School; I hope my varied experience and understanding of the education landscape helps the school to be the best it can possibly be.

Sharon Cardwell (Support Staff Governor 12/03/26- 11/03/30) I joined Westgate in September 2010 and have worked as a TA throughout the school in most of the classes.  I briefly left Westgate before returning in 2025 to help out as an admin assistant in the office.  I live in Menston and have two older children who are both currently at university.  I have vast experience of working within the classroom and understand the needs of both the children and teaching staff, and now have greater understanding of the administrative side of running a school.  This knowledge will help me support the school in my role as a school governor. 

Susie Day (Co-Opted Governor 02/03/2023 - 02/03/2027) I have lived in Otley for over 7 years. I have over 20 years of experience working in business; primarily in Digital, Data and Technology with experience in both the health and finance sectors. I hope to be able to bring many of the skills to my role as Governor to best support the school and the wider community. Becoming a governor gave me the opportunity to give back to the community and I was keen to get involved as I have many friends and neighbours who have children who attend Westgate Primary School. I have enjoyed getting to know the school and am very proud to be part of the governing body.

Thomas Drew (Co-Opted Governor, 13/03/2025 - 12/03/2029)

I'm a consultant in the facilities management / property maintenance industry, supporting clients who operate primarily in the health and education sectors.  My expertise is in auditing systems, data, and financial models, but through my career I’ve gained experience of operational maintenance, legal compliance, and health and safety, all of which I hope to draw upon in my role as Governor.

My daughter attends the school, so I also have the perspective of a parent, and I’m proud to be able to contribute to the success of the school as part of the governing body.

Helen Hooper (Assistant Headteacher; Staff Governor 01/01/2024- 01/01/2028) 

I've been a teacher at Westgate since 2007 and was very happy and proud to become Assistant Headteacher in January 2024. I've been PE subject leader for 15 years, and have also taken on leadership of English as part of my new role. It's a real pleasure to be back on the Westgate Governing Body, to share in the strategic planning and decision-making that underpins the day-to-day running of the school, and to bring a teacher's perspective to the group. 

Victoria Mirfield (Safeguarding & Children Looked After Governor/ Parent Governor & chair of the pupil support committee; 04/10/21 - 21/05/2028) 

My children have both been very happy at Westgate since nursery. I have always aimed to be interested in and supportive of the school, including acting as secretary of Friends of Westgate for several years. I am a GP in a neighbouring town and recently moved to working part- rather than full-time so now have time and skills that I could bring to being a school governor. One of my roles at work is safeguarding lead with regular training and updates, which is a key aspect of the responsibility of the governing body. In my spare time, I volunteer as a judge with young people in the City of Leeds synchronised swimming club. I hope to give something back to Westgate as my children have always loved the school and I am proud to be part of the team. 

Sharon Cardwell (Co-opted; 12/03/2026 - 11/03/2030)

Esther Hamilton (Co-opted; 12/03/26 - 11/03/2030)

Chris Short (Headteacher; no fixed term of office) 

I have been head teacher at Westgate since January 2025. As head at Westgate, I attend all governor meetings. I enjoy meeting with Governors as they represent a good cross-section of the local community. Also, working with Governors helps us on the Leadership Team step back from day-to-day issues and allows us to look carefully at all our decisions. The most important part of working with governors is that, together, we continually look for ways of making things better for the children at Westgate.

Governor Attendance and Committee Information

Declaration of Pecuniary Interests