Governing Body

Welcome to our Governors’ section. 

The Governing Body are a friendly group made up of people from a variety of backgrounds. The Federation governors are representative of parents and staff, the LA and the local community. 

As we are a small Governing Body, we do not feel that it is appropriate to report on personal information relating to diversity. At South Wootton Federation we believe that when people feel respected and included, they can be more creative, innovative and successful. While we have more work to do to advance diversity and inclusion, we are working to move our School’s forward.

School Governors have an important role to play within the school. In accordance with the Government’s requirements for all governing bodies the 3 core strategic functions of the school’s governing body are:

  • Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;
  • Holding the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the schools and its pupils;
  • Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.

Full Governors’ meetings are held every half term.  Minutes and Agendas of all Governors’ meetings are available for any parent to inspect at the school, during normal school hours, upon application to the Headteacher.  The Chair of Governors is elected annually, at the first full Governors’ meeting of the school year, in the Autumn Term.

Please find below details of how our Governing body is structured, including the names, categories, responsibilities and terms of appointment for each Governor. We have also provided a Register of Governor Interests and an Annual Statement of Issues for your information.

The Chairs of the Governing Body are Dr Aruna Patel and Stephen Scales, contactable through the school office, email  Chairofgov@southwootton-jun.norfolk.sch.uk or post to The Governing Body, South Wootton Junior School, Hall Lane, South Wootton, King’s Lynn, Norfolk PE30 3JZ

South Wootton Federation Governing Body

Stephen Scales

Co-opted Governor (Co-Chair)
Committees: Finance, Premises and Personnel
Responsibilities: Health and Safety, Music, RE
Term of Office: 01/09/2024 – 31/08/2028
Pecuniary interest: none

Jennifer Cook

Co-opted Governor (Co-Chair)
Committees: Curriculum
Responsibilities: Health and Safety
Term of Office: 01/09/2024 – 31/08/2028
Pecuniary interest: none

Aruna Patel

Local Authority Governor 
Committees: Finance, Premises and Personnel
Responsibilities: Critical incidents, LAC, Science, SEND and EAL
Term of Office: 01/09/2024 – 31/08/2028
Pecuniary Interest: none

Simon Cook

Foundation Governor
Committees: Curriculum
Responsibilities – PE, Pupil and Sport’s Premium 
Term of Office: 01/09/2024 – 31/08/2028
Pecuniary Interests – none

Dee George

Foundation Governor (Vice Chair)
Committees: Finance and Personnel and Premises
Responsibilities: Safeguarding, English, MFL
Term of office: 01/09/2024 – 31/08/2028
Pecuniary interests: none

Sophie Strudwick

Co-opted Governor
Committees – Art, Staff wellbeing
Term of Office: 01/09/2024 – 31/08/2028
Pecuniary Interests: none

Mark Birks

Co-opted Governor 
Committees: Curriculum 
Responsibilities: DT/ICT, GDPR, cyber security, online safety, website
Term of Office: 01/09/2024 – 31/08/2028
Pecuniary interest: none

Catherine Newcombe

Staff Governor 
Committees: Curriculum
Responsibilities: History
Term of Office: 01/09/2024 – 31/08/2028
Pecuniary interest: none

Emma Cooper

Parent Governor 
Committees: FPP
Responsibilities: Attendance, Geography, PHSE/RSE
Term of Office: 01/09/2024 – 31/08/2028
Pecuniary interest: none

Lloyd Stephenson

Parent Governor 
Committees: Curriculum 
Responsibilities: Maths
Term of Office: 01/09/2024 – 31/08/2028
Pecuniary interest: none

Full Governors’ Meetings

Resources Sub-Committee

Teaching & Learning Sub-Committee