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.

A summary of our declaration of interests for the current academic year can be found at the bottom of this page.

Helen Carpenter (Headteacher; no fixed term of office) I have been head teacher at Westgate since 2011 and in that time it has been my privilege to lead the school through exciting developments and projects, putting children's wellbeing and learning at the heart of everything we do. 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.

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 14 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 am currently responsible for developing a broad and balanced school curriculum, which means I have taught and worked with students across a huge range of abilities and needs. I feel I bring a fresh perspective and additional expertise in the field of learning to the governing body.

l.boddy@westgateprimary.co.uk 

Sally Clough (Co-opted Governor, attendance governor; 21/05/2020- 21/05/2024) I really enjoyed my school years, which started at Westgate Primary school, and I pursued my interest in science through to post-graduate research where I was involved in wide ranging projects working within university and NHS settings. I currently work part-time as a corporate governance manager for a large research funder, which has given me insight into board management, business planning, risk assessment and ensuring high standards of governance. My eldest has been happy at Westgate since nursery and my youngest is keen to get through the door, so I appreciate the environment that Westgate is creating for pupils and I am pleased to support them to continue to improve and hope my experience will be useful in my role as governor. 

s.clough@westgateprimary.co.uk 

Billy Cunningham (Co-Opted Governor 20/09/2023 - 20/09/2027)

Throughout my career, I have gained valuable experience in leadership, risk management, compliance, and governance which I believe are qualities essential for a school governor. My current role is Director of fire safety is at Landsec, which is a senior leadership role. I have also served in the Royal Navy. Outside of work I am a guest lecturer at Leeds Becket University for the Bachelors and Masters of Science in Safety, Health and Environmental Management. As a governor, I am to provide advice, governance and the moral courage to challenge where required, so that Westgate continues to improve.

w.cunningham@westgateprimary.co.uk 

Susie Day (Co-Opted Governor 02/03/2023 - 02/03/2027)

s.day@westgateprimary.co.uk

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

m.fortune@westgateprimary.co.uk

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

Victoria Mirfield (Safeguarding & Children Looked After Governor/ Parent Governor & chair of the pupil support committee; 04/10/21 - 04/10/25) 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. 

v.mirfield@westgateprimary.co.uk

Neil Richardson (Co-opted Governor, vice chair, & chair of the Resources committee; 28/02/2023 - 28/02/2027) I have two children who currently or used to attend  Westgate Primary School and appreciate the work the school does, not only for pupils but in the wider Otley community. I have lived in Otley all my life and my wife attended Westgate School. Becoming a Governor is a great opportunity to assist the school to achieve their financial aims and give something back to the school that is, and has been, responsible for such an important part of my family’s life. I am a CIMA qualified senior finance professional with a wealth of high value-adding skills gained in a number of complex and pressured, not for profit and commercial environments within major blue chip companies, both domestic and multi-national. I hope to bring this expertise to my governor role.

n.richardson@westgateprimary.co.uk 

Andrew Ross (Pupil Premium Governor/ Sport & PE Governor/ Parent Governor & chair of the governing body; 04/10/2021 - 07/10/2025) With three children in the school, I recognise and appreciate the excellent work Westgate School does and I wanted to give something back to help maintain those high standards. Since my eldest daughter started at Westgate I have sought to support the school, through participating and helping at Friends of Westgate events, as co-treasurer of FoW and through coming in to talk to various year groups as part of Aspirations week. Working in Higher Education I fully appreciate the importance of a good education. From my day job I can bring to the job of governor not only my experience of the education sector, but also leadership and management experience. Above all, as a parent myself, I am there to represent the views of all parents and to help ensure Westgate continues to offer the very best for all our children.

a.ross@westgateprimary.co.uk

 Louise Shackleton (Parent Governor, SEND governor; 13/10/2020 - 07/10/2024) I have over 20 years of experience in the NHS working as a Nurse currently working as an Advanced Clinical Practitioner as a part of a National Service in Haematology based at St James’s Hospital. As a parent I am interested to the school being a happy and fun place to learn and grow for all and as a governor want to play an active role in school life. From my experience as a nursing team leader for the last 11 years I bring skills in being able to listen and team building to work together to get the best outcomes for all children and staff in school. Working in a multidisciplinary team I am used to critical thinking whilst being confident to ask the challenging questions ensuring the parent voice is heard. Being available to listen to parents and pupils, bringing different skills from my work life and caring about the welfare of all involved at Westgate school are the key qualities I believe a Parent Governor must possess. Above all, I want to make a positive contribution to the school.

l.shackleton@westgateprimary.co.uk 

Ray Smith (LA-appointed governor; 15/07/2021 - 15/07/2025) Now retired after 38 years spent in primary education! My career included 7 years here in Otley, 8 years as deputy head in Wetherby and 23 years as a head teacher in Bradford. I am now an Otley Town Councillor and was first elected in about 1980! It is a delight and honour to serve as a governor of such a well thought of, popular and successful school.

r.smith@westgateprimary.co.uk 

We currently have 3 vacancies for co-opted governors.

COMMITTEE STRUCTURE AND INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITIES
 
Full governing body meetings are informed by the work of the committees within the governing body. All governors sit on at least one committee. The committee structure is as follows:
  • Resources Committee (including the Pay Committee)
  • Teaching, Learning & Assessment (Curriculum) Committee
  • Pupil Support Committee
Membership of these committees is agreed annually and recorded in the first governing body meeting minutes of the academic year, including details of committee chairs.
 
In addition, individual governors may hold specific responsibilities relating to aspects of school's work. These are also recorded in the first governing body meeting minutes of the year.
 
The agreed terms of reference for the committees and full governing body can be found below.
 
The school senior business manager is an associate governor who attends the resources committee meetings. She does not have voting rights.