A very warm welcome!

This page will tell you a bit more about the amazing people who volunteer their time to support the school on the local governing body. You can also view our Scheme of Delegation below, which outlines the role of governors and the relationship with trustees of Transform Trust, our Multi-Academy Trust (MAT).

Governors meet twice a term to discuss school strategy and policies. We are responsible for holding the school leadership to account for academic performance, quality of teaching and learning, and ensuring that the legal requirements for SEND are met in terms of the curriculum and quality of provision. Safeguarding of children in school is delegated to the local governing body by trustees, and we have named Safeguarding and SEND leads. As a Church of England school we are also responsible for maintaining our Christian ethos and embedding the school's vision and values.

All of our governors enjoy coming into school on a regular basis and involve themselves in different aspects of school life. Our aim is to provide a safe, caring and nurturing environment where children are encouraged and challenged to reach their full potential. We are proud of our school and feel privileged to support Natalie Aldridge and the whole staff team in delivering a varied and stimulating education for our pupils.

We welcome all contact, whether it’s something you need assistance with or any positive feedback on the school. If you have any concerns regarding a school matter the first point of contact is always the school staff. However, if you think there is a matter that cannot be handled in this way you can contact me via email here.

Emily Pope
Chair

Emily Pope

Foundation Governor - Chair

Safeguarding Lead, Pupil Premium & Sports Premium

I’ve lived in Wilford since 2009 and am married with two daughters and a stepson. I work at the Department for Education, and am responsible for the construction of new schools and the rebuilding of the school estate. Part of my role is to ensure school facilities and environments are able to support high quality teaching and learning. I’m also hugely passionate about opportunities for sport and physical activity, and the benefits of children being active. I played netball for over 30 years and enjoy running, tennis and watching any live sport. I love living in Wilford, and South Wilford provides a great focal point for the community. I feel privileged that my children will grow up in an area which has so much to offer.

Pino De Rosa

Foundation Governor

Health & Safety Lead

I have lived in Wilford since 1994 and have 4 daughters who have all been pupils of South Wilford School. I run a rail engineering business which was established in Wilford in 1995 and is now headquartered across the river. Wilford and its community has had a positive impact on me and my family’s life, it is a great place to live and work and has a healthy sense of community. My aim is to use my business skills and community drive to support the children and staff of South Wilford so that we can continue to build on the legacy that has existed within the community over centuries.

Tom McGowan

Foundation Governor

Christian Distinctiveness Lead

I joined the governing body in 2017 having been a part of St Wilfrid’s church since 2011. My 3 children currently attend South Wilford, and I work as a doctor with an interest in the education of medical students. I have a passion for South Wilford School to provide an excellent education for all the children in our community with true Christian distinctiveness and aim to support the school and governing body in achieving this.

Wendy Cranefield

Foundation Governor - Vice-Chair

EYFS Lead

Nelson Mandela said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
These words have been become an inspiration to me, both as a Primary school teacher and subsequently as a Governor.

I believe that harnessing and nurturing the potential within every child is essential to their primary school life. I am also a parent of the school, and thus felt the call to work as part of a team to create an environment where pupils flourish and develop into the people of tomorrow.

Madeleine Cox

Foundation Governor

SEND Lead

I am a Christian, the mother of four children and a local resident. My background is in education particularly modern language teaching in industry and secondary schools. I have experience in pastoral care, the successful transition of children from Primary into Secondary education and the promotion of links with the community.

My many years of association with the Carters Educational Trust together with my absolute belief that every individual child whatever their ability or circumstance must receive the very best education in its fullest sense, led to my acceptance two years ago of an invitation to become a Governor of South Wilford Church of England School.

This is a privileged but very rewarding position of great responsibility and I am proud to be part of a Governing Body which supports, continually challenges and takes a full and active part in the life of the school; I especially enjoy the celebrations of achievement and success of every child and watching them grow in confidence throughout their time in the school. I share the Christian values and vision of the school and I am committed to playing my part in a team striving to ensure continued excellence in a growing and exciting school environment.

Azuraye Williams

Trust Governor

DEIB Lead

I am a trust governor who is passionate about my role as a governor. I am an assistant headteacher at another one of the Transform Trust schools and I am also the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Lead for the trust. I have been teaching for 12 years and I believe my knowledge and experience will support the governing body at South Wilford to continue to develop the school for the staff and children. I joined the governing body in September, but I have worked with South Wilford for a number of years due to our trust commitments. I believe that education is an important tool for all children and I will work with the governors to ensure we provide the children with the best opportunities.

Revd. George White

Foundation Governor Ex-Officio

George is our local vicar and leads St Wilfrid’s Church just up the road from the school. George became a Christian in his teens and passionately believes that the best thing anyone can do with their life is to become a follower of Jesus.
As a governor, George’s focus is on encouraging the Christian Distinctiveness of the school.
George is married to Kate and they have a young son (Isaiah).

Poppy Hawkins

Staff Governor 

South Wilford Endowed CE Primary School Governing Body

Structures

Clerk to Governors: Ruth Palmer c/o South Wilford Endowed CE Primary School ruth.palmer@transformtrust.co.uk