A warm welcome from our School Governing Body
A warm welcome from our School Governing Body
Welcome from our Chair of Governors, Lance Williamson
I am delighted to have been asked to lead the Governing Board as Chairman. I wish to pass my thanks to Emily Humphreys for her close support during the last year and I am pleased to have her continued support as she continues as Governor through the next year. My continued aim as Chair of Governors is to support the effective leadership of Henry Whipple, to enable pupils to ‘Believe, Belong and Achieve’.
Our governing body is a team of people who play an important role in making decisions, planning and overseeing the smooth running of the school. We are committed to supporting school leaders, staff, children and their families, to ensure that Henry Whipple is a safe, calm and happy environment where children are able to reach their potential and achieve their very best. Governors meet formally each term as a full governing body, as well as holding termly meetings focussing on quality of education, and on finance. Governors also come into school regularly to make monitoring visits, as well as to join in many of the learning away and enrichment events that take place.
We are hugely grateful to you, as parents, for the contributions that you make to the school, which enables the broad range of personal development opportunities to take place. Your support is very much appreciated, so a big ‘thank you’ to you on behalf of governors! Maybe you could consider joining our team – there are vacancies – so please feel free to contact me for more information if you need this to help make your decision.
If you need to contact me at any time, please do not hesitate to do so via the Headteacher.
Best wishes,
Lance Williamson
EMILY HUMPHREYS
LA Governor – joined autumn term 2023
I’m delighted to be a member of the Governing Body at Henry Whipple. I joined in autumn 2023, and served as Co-Chair with Lance Williamson between March 2024 and July 2025.
I have held various different education-related roles for most of my working life. I have undertaken a number of roles in further and higher education, in administration, student support, widening participation, events and marketing, and most recently for the local authority. Between 2018 and 2025 I worked as part of the central team at Nottingham Schools Trust which allowed me to get to know schools across Nottingham City, and gave me an insight into the issues and challenges that schools face.
I’ve lived in Nottingham since 2005, and I love living in such a vibrant and diverse city. Having the opportunity to ‘give something back’ is something I find extremely rewarding, and I am relishing working with staff and senior leaders, supporting them to provide the best possible education for the children at Henry Whipple.
In my spare time I enjoy spending time in nature, reading, and I’m a keen outdoor swimmer.
VICE CHAIR
JENNY DIGGES
Co-opted Governor
I have worked in education for more than 40 years, a lot of that in the city of Nottingham where I was a head teacher and then school adviser. I have also worked in special schools and as an adviser for special educational needs. I have always believed that children deserve the very best no matter what their postcode or circumstances. As soon as I walked into Henry Whipple I knew I would like to be a governor here. Believe, Belong, Achieve is evident everywhere and I am really pleased to be able to play a part in the school as governor.
I am the vice chair and chair of the Quality of Education Committee. I have lived in the city for over 40 years and have a grandson who has just started school and am so pleased to have the opportunity to make a contribution to the continuing excellent education for children in the city.
Lance Williamson
Co-opted Governor 2022
I was pleased to be co-opted to the Governing Body in the summer term of 2022. The experience I bring to the school is many years working in senior positions in the County Council for 17 years, the Top Valley Comprehensive School which became an academy for 10 years and other business environments. As a parent, I served over 10 years as a parent governor of my children’s school – Milford Primary – for many as Vice Chair and subsequently also worked as an LEA governor in other schools.
In July 2025, having worked as the Co-Chair, I was asked to take on the leadership of the Board of Governors as sole Chairman. I take huge pride in this opportunity to lead the Governors in our efforts to make Henry Whipple Primary School the best offer we can for our families and children in their educational journey. I continue in my roles of Chair the Finance Committee and Lead Governor for Safeguarding and Buildings.
Anum Saeed
PARENT GOVERNOR
I am Anum Saeed and very happy to be a Parent Governor.
I have 4 children - ages 4, 5, 8 and 8 - who all attend Henry Whipple. My oldest two boys have been at the school now for over 4 years, and as a family we have been very happy with how well the school is organised, and how the pupils are encouraged to be the best they can be. We are a biracial family, and when we first came to HWP we were pleased to see how diverse the school is. I think learning and understanding about different cultures and religions is important for a child. In my free time I like to cook, go to the gym and socialise over a nice cup of coffee!
Marissa Eaton
Teaching Governor
I am delighted to be apart of the Henry Whipple Teaching Team and have been working here for around 9 years. I have previous experience working in Early Years before working at HWP as a Midday supervisor. I continued to gain my qualifications while working here to gain my level 3 as a Teaching assistant and have worked in both KS1 and currently KS2.
Out of work hours, I volunteer within a charitable organisation within the community offering sports activities, youth clubs and holiday clubs to support children and young people aged 8-17years. Growing up in the area gives me an understanding of what is needed to engage young people and support their needs.
Hannah Webster
Co-opted Governor - autumn term 2023
I have had the pleasure of teaching at Henry Whipple previously and I am excited to still be involved with this wonderful school in a different capacity. I have taught in city schools for the past 6 years and prior to this worked within Mental Health services as an Occupational Therapist. I am passionate that all children should be provided with excellent learning and opportunities and experiences that allow them to become well-rounded individuals and this is certainly something that Henry Whipple strives for.
I have lived in Nottingham for the past 25 years and it has been a great place to bring up my own children. When not working I love walking my dog, swimming, crafting and also running a local Rainbows unit!
Jay Hayes - Co-opted Governor
Spring Term 2024
I am pleased to be a member of Henry Whipple School's governing body. Since 2019 I have been a Councillor for Bestwood Ward and am currently the portfolio holder for Housing, Planning and Heritage. I also serve as the Vice Chair of Nottingham Education Trust, Chair of Bestwood Advice Centre Management Committee and member of Nottingham City Council Corporate Parenting Board. I have previously worked as a benefit and debt advisor for Bestwood Advice Centre and Citizens Advice and a Parliamentary Caseworker.
I have lived in Nottingham all my life and was able to get a second chance in education college. It was this second chance, that drives me to ensure all children get the best education and I hope I contribute to the success of Henry Whipple School.