A warm welcome from our School Governing Body
Welcome from our Co-Chairs of Governors, Lance Williamson and Emily Humphreys
We are delighted to have been nominated as Co-Chairs to the Governing body, following the retirement of our wonderful previous Chair Julia Harrison, in March 2024. Our aim as Co-Chairs 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!
If you need to contact us at any time, please do not hesitate to do so via the Headteacher.
Best wishes,
Lance Williamson and Emily Humphreys
EMILY HUMPHREYS
LA Governor – joined autumn term 2023
I’m delighted to be a member of the Governing Body at Henry Whipple, and to have been elected as Co-Chair from March 2024. Although I am fairly new to school governance, I have been in education 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. Since 2018 I have worked as part of the central team at Nottingham Schools Trust, which has allowed me to get to know schools across Nottingham City, and has given me an insight into the issues and challenges which our 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 very appealing to me, 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.
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.
PARENT GOVERNOR
autumn term 2023
Ahmadou Sanoh
I am a passionate Careers Adviser, who support young people to make their dreams a reality by removing barriers to education, employment or training. Having schooled in Guinea and Egypt, and my university studies in Malaysia and Canada, I am fluent in French, Arabic and Mandinka, making me a very broad-minded individual. As a governor, I hope to share my multi-disciplinary experience with your noble school. Moreover, I would like to inspire pupils by telling them about my own journey to where I am today as a multilingual careers adviser. Relating how that despite starting school late at the age of 17, I have succeeded in my studies, and that they too given the appropriate guidance can achieve their goals.
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!