Meet the Governors

The governors at Sawley Junior School play an integral part in the running of the school.

The governing body is made up of a variety of individuals from different backgrounds including, local authority governors and parents.  All the governors are volunteers who are committed to offering their time, expertise and support to the school.

Governor meetings are held regularly, after school, roughly 6 times a year, although governors regularly make informal visits the school to view and monitor progress with the curriculum, environment and ethos of the school. The school governors also undergo regular training to keep them up to date with the latest issues concerning the school.

The governors act as a critical friend to the school and are responsible for monitoring the school's performance. They work with the school to raise standards and maintain high standards of behaviour and attendance.   The governors also have a responsibility to decide how the school budget is spent and to set targets for the school to continue to improve. They are committed to working with parents and the wider community.

It can be a very challenging but a very rewarding experience. The governors all believe that the children at Sawley Junior School deserve the very best. We all bring our own skills and experiences to the role and are committed to giving our time and energy to support and move the school forward.

We are proud of our school and we have the greatest confidence in recommending it to you for your child or children.

Mrs A Burton

Headteacher

Having been born and brought up in Halesowen on the edge of the Black Country, I came to Nottingham to complete my degree and never left! I have been part of the Sawley community for a very long time. I began my career in headship working alongside the previous headteacher in 2009, taking over full time in 2010. I have watched Sawley Junior School grow and develop since I first started teaching here. It is a fabulous place to work: I have never ceased to admire the resilience, curiosity and aspirations of Sawley children and I am very proud when they are complimented about the way they conduct themselves. I feel very privileged to lead such a dedicated team of adults whose ultimate aim is to ensure high quality education for all our children.

Mrs L Taylor

Staff Governor

I gained my Honours degree from the University of Nottingham, and then attended Durham University to train and qualify as a teacher.  Upon completion of my course I returned home to Yorkshire to start my career teaching in a primary school near Huddersfield.   I migrated south to Derbyshire in 1996 to take up a teaching post in a school near Alfreton.  Seeking a new challenge I arrived at Sawley Juniors in 2010, where I immediately felt welcomed and have loved every moment since…well almost every moment!   I regularly attend meetings as staff governor and aim to support fellow governors in their understanding and involvement in all aspects of the schools work and future development. 

It is great to work as part of our strong team of staff and governors who are dedicated to securing the high quality teaching of skills and knowledge as well as, enjoyable learning experiences for all our pupils.

Term of Office : 1.11.2014 to 31.10.2026 (re-appointed Oct 22) 

Responsibilities: Finance, PE & Sports Premium

Mr J Hemsley

Parent Governor

I am a parent of a child who is currently at Sawley Junior School.  I have lived in Sawley for many years and have until recently acted as a Governor and Trustee for a local secondary school, which I believe gives me a good understanding of how the school runs.

Professionally, I am a career railway engineer, working both in the UK and internationally and believe that all children should have a good understanding of science and technology.

I am both pleased and privileged to be given the chance to support the school, staff, parents and children through this role.

Term of Office : 22.03.2021 to 21.03.2025

Responsibilities : Anti-bullying, behaviour, Health & Safety and Curriculum

Mr Chris White

Parent Governor - Chair of Governors

My day job is in Sales Management and Strategy, and I feel that the skills utilised, for example budgeting, finance, HR, hiring and managing staff, data analysis and dealing with confidential information, will transfer well to the work of parent governor. My leadership role relies on me asking difficult questions and challenging the norm with equity and diplomacy.
I am lucky enough to have the time to commit to the role as my company provide time off for volunteering. This means that I can attend meetings, training and visit the school during the day when required. This is a great opportunity to give some time to the school that support the children to aspire, achieve, and thrive.
I am keen to support the school, the children and all the staff who work so hard to keep this place running smoothly.

Term of Office: 30.01.2023 to 30.01.2027

Responsibilities: Chair of Governors

Mr E Webb

Staff Governor

Born in Staffordshire and raised in Leicestershire, I decided to enter the profession of teaching after being, variously, a Lab Technician for a concrete company, a Lifeguard, an Estate Agent and a Sales Representative, I was accepted to study teaching at Liverpool where I graduated with a first class degree in Primary Teaching. 

I have worked throughout the East Midlands within teaching, with experience in Special Educational Needs Coordination, senior teaching roles and coordinating many areas of the curriculum from Science to Design and Technology. 

It is since being at Sawley junior School that I have returned to my first passion – Art and Design.  I feel very honoured to have received the confidence of my colleagues in being asked to be a representative for their views and the views of the student on the Sawley Junior School Academy Governing Body.

Term of Office : 5.05.2022 to 4.05.2026

Responsibilities : Equality & Diversity and Curriculum

Diane Dakin

Clerk to Governors 

`The purpose of the role is to:

• Provide advice to the governing body on governance, constitutional and procedural matters.
• Provide effective administrative support to the governing body and its committees.
• Ensure the governing body is properly constituted.
• Manage information effectively in accordance with legal requirements.

Governors who have served on the governing body over the last 12 months.

Mrs E Joyce - Staff Governor - Term of Office -11.01.2018 to 10.11.2021

Ms L Pickering - Parent Governor - Term of Office 17.05.2018 to 16.05.2022

Mrs Claire Scott - Parent Governor - Term of Office 22.03.21 to 17.11.2022

Mrs Diane White - Community Governor - Term of Office : 21.04.2021 to 15.05.2023