Governing Body
Our Governors
School governors are members of the school’s Governing Body. They have responsibility for raising school standards but do not run the school day to day; their role is at the strategic or policy-making level. They ensure that the Head teacher performs his or her responsibilities for the educational performance of the school and ensure the sound, proper and effective use of the school’s financial resources. We value the experience and skills that all governors bring and our governors find that the role is very rewarding. Their contribution to the development of our school and seeing visible improvements in the attainment and well being of the children is a satisfying and important contribution to the local community.
You can read more about our Governors here:
Name: Colin Bowpitt
Governor Role: School Development and Improvement
Committees: Business, Learning and Wellbeing
Type of Office: Executive Head teacher
Term of Office: Ex-officio
Job Title: Executive Head teacher
Pecuniary Interest: Ex-officio Executive Head teacher governing bodies of Greenfield Primary and Thistly Meadow Primary school
Professional attributes, experiences, areas of expertise and what you bring to the role:
National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH). Colin has been a teacher since his qualified status in 1993 and has worked in a variety of schools within Leicester City and Leicestershire. He has been Executive Head of Thistly Meadow Primary School since 2012 and both Greenfield Primary and Countesthorpe Nursery School (now Greenfield Pre-School). Under his leadership, all three schools have received Good Ofsted ratings. He is a Leader of Education and provides additional support and training for Primary, Special and Secondary school leaders.
Name: Martin Smith
Governor Role: Chair, Safeguarding, Training link
Committees: Business, Learning and Wellbeing
Type of Office: Co-opted
Term of Office: 21.9.2020 – 21.9.2024
Job Title: Clerk to the Governors (for a number of other schools)
Pecuniary Interest: None
Professional attributes, experiences, areas of expertise and what you bring to the role:
I have been a Governor of Greenfield since 1995, serving as Chair of the Finance and Staffing committees until I became Chair of Governors over 8 years ago.
My previous career was as a Bank Manager for HSBC Bank plc and after leaving the Bank I became involved with a number of schools, working as their Clerk to the Governors, giving procedural and legal advice and undertaking administration work on behalf of the Governing Bodies.
Until recently I also worked as a national adviser for Governors throughout England, on the Department for Education funded, Governorline.
I therefore have a very wide range of experiences and knowledge of schools and Governing Bodies which helps me undertake the role of Chair of Governors at Greenfield.
I have been a Parish Councillor since 1991 and also help to produce the Countesthorpe Herald so have good links with the community.
Name: Sandeep Dhinsa
Governor Role: Literacy
Committees: Learning and wellbeing
Type of Office: Staff Governor
Term of Office: 1.2.2023 - 31.1.2027
Job Title: Teacher
Pecuniary Interest: None
Professional attributes, experiences, areas of expertise and what you bring to the role:
I began my teaching career at Greenfield Primary School as a newly qualified teacher and this is my 7th year working at the school. I am currently a Year 6 class teacher and I also lead English across the school. I have experience of teaching in both key stages and I have also been Science Leader. I am totally committed to raising standards further at Greenfield Primary School as teaching and learning developments have always been my number one priority. At the heart of my teaching philosophy remains a child centred approach, which guarantees each child’s entitlement to the best possible education they can achieve. As a governor and teacher at the school, I will make a vital contribution to Greenfield’s quest to become ‘outstanding’ and to be recognised as a ‘beacon’ of excellence for the high quality of education it provides for the children at the school.
Name: Sarah Jarowicki
Governor Role: Data and assessment
Committees: Learning and Wellbeing
Type of Office: Co-opted Governor
Term of Office: 3.6.2021 – 2.6.2025
Job Title: Deputy Head teacher
Pecuniary Interest: None
Professional attributes, experiences, areas of expertise and what you bring to the role:
I have been a member of staff at Greenfield Primary School for 15 years now- originally, I was appointed as literacy co-ordinator and later became Assistant head and more recently Deputy head. In this time I have got married, had two children and moved house so feel that Greenfield Primary School is a huge part of my professional and personal life especially since both my children attend the school.
As part of my work at Greenfield Primary School, I am now a writing moderator for Leicestershire authority. This is a post that I have successfully held for a number of years and one which I enjoy very much. I enjoy supporting year 6 teachers with agreeing accurate assessments and curriculum development. I have also had the pleasure of becoming a mentor to new moderators.
Name: Helen Jarvis
Governor Role:
Committees: Business, Learning and wellbeing
Type of Office: Parent Governor
Term of Office: 6.6.2021 – 7.6.2025
Job Title: Teacher
Pecuniary Interest: None
Professional attributes, experiences, areas of expertise and what you bring to the role:
I have a background in education and specifically special education needs, so I understand some of the challenges faced by schools having worked within a mainstream primary school with a focus on SEN and more able pupils, and then in a special school for children with complex physical and medical needs. I have a passion for ensuring that these barriers do not stop a child from achieving everything they can. I also feel that the start of a child’s school journey really builds the foundations for the rest of their education and it has been amazing to see our eldest grow in confidence over her first year at Greenfield and become someone who runs into school each day.
I believe I have the skills and abilities to work as part of the governor team. I have a supportive nature and contribute positively to the groups that I am involved in. I am also inquisitive and feel I am able to ask questions and seek clarification where needed; I look forward to supporting the leadership of the school to continue's it development.
Name: Lee Martin
Governor Role: Curriculum
Committees: Learning and Wellbeing
Type of Office: Parent
Term of Office: 28.8.2022 – 27.8.2026
Job Title:
Pecuniary Interest: None
Professional attributes, experiences, areas of expertise and what you bring to the role:
I have a keen interest in the school and commitment to contributing to the success of the school through the role of Governor. My professional expertise lends itself best to roles where there is a focus on measuring the impact of initiatives, programmes and policies against identified needs and objectives. I have in excess of 15 years’ experience in various managerial and leadership roles, including performance management, professional development, apprenticeship programmes and HR; requiring strong organisational skills. As a governor I have a fantastic opportunity to experience first-hand the positive impact an integrated approach to teaching can have on the health, wellbeing and attainment of children at school. I bring a genuine commitment to ensuring all children at Greenfield School experience a positive environment in which to thrive.
Name: Jane Newman
Governor Role: Curriculum
Committees: Business, Learning and Wellbeing
Type of Office: Parent
Term of Office: 6.6.2022 – 5.6.2026
Job Title: Finance Director
Pecuniary Interest: None
Professional attributes, experiences, areas of expertise and what you bring to the role:
I strongly believe that every child deserves the very best and that I can provide valuable input to helping the school move towards being outstanding in all that it does. I have spent more than 30 years working in the finance industry and I can bring significant experience to the role as a finance professional. In addition, I can offer expertise gained in management of HR departments, strategic planning and general business development. I believe that this experience allows me to support and challenge in a positive manner and that my involvement can help the governing body to develop enhanced outcomes for all children in the school.
Name: Colette Norman
Governor Role: Curriculum
Committees: Business, Learning and Wellbeing
Type of Office: Parent
Term of Office: 6.6.2022 – 5.6.2026
Job Title: Chair of the Hospice Lotteries Association
Pecuniary Interest: None
Professional attributes, experiences, areas of expertise and what you bring to the role:
I have a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Birmingham in Business Management, and have been a Chartered Manager since 2013. I consider myself to be an accomplished leader with over 20 years’ experience in staff and volunteer management, income generation, budgeting, marketing, events, compliance, health and safety, safeguarding, data analysis and committee/board engagement.
I have extensive professional experience in strategic vision-setting as well as change and performance management, and I’ve served on a number of boards and stakeholder committees. I believe my skills and experience will transfer well to the work of school governance, helping the school to be a critical friend. I am not afraid to ask difficult questions if necessary and analyse to improve practices.
Name: Caroline Simpson
Governor Role: Finance
Committees: Business, Learning and Wellbeing
Type of Office: Co-opted Governor
Term of Office: 3.6.2021 – 2.6.2025
Job Title: Director of HSP Financial Planning Ltd and HSP Tax Ltd
Pecuniary Interest: None
Professional attributes, experiences, areas of expertise and what you bring to the role:
I have been involved with Greenfield for the last 14 years initially when my children started in Reception by helping in the classroom, being an active member of the PTFA and for the last 10 years as a School Governor.
I am passionate about children having the opportunity to learn and to enjoy their school experience. The ethos at Greenfield has inspired me to continue working to support the senior leadership team where I can.
Having over 30 years experience as a tax practitioner and 15 years as a Financial Adviser I have been involved with businesses and individuals on many levels and my professional work ensures that I can understand the day to day finances of the school and the issues it faces with the need to balance the budget against the children having a first class education.
Name: Julie Tilley
Governor Role: Vice Chair
Committees: Staffing (Chair), Learning and Wellbeing
Type of Office: Co-opted
Term of Office: 3.6.2021 – 2.6.2025
Job Title:
Pecuniary Interest: None
Professional attributes, experiences, areas of expertise and what you bring to the role:
I have been involved with Greenfield for a number of years since my children started at the school and am very passionate about my role as a Governor, to help the school to be the best it can. I regulalrly take part in governor visits and see at first hand the wonderful work going on to give the children the best start in life.
Name: James Martin
Governor Role: Curriculum
Committees: Business, Learning and Wellbeing
Type of Office: Local Authority
Term of Office: 24.3.2023 – 23.3.2027
Job Title: Academic Deputy Head Teacher
Pecuniary Interest: None
Professional attributes, experiences, areas of expertise and what you bring to the role:
I am the Academic Deputy Head and Head of Science at Winchester House Preparatory School in Brackley. I am also responsible for the IT strategy for the school. Having spent 12 years in the Royal Navy, this gave me exposure to, and experience in the management of Health and Safety, Finance, Personnel and Estates and I have been able to bring these skills into the education sector. I enjoy teaching and think it’s important to give a bit back to our school communities. I am delighted to be a school governor at Greenfield and hope my skills and experience will be helpful.
Name: Mrs Hayley Aitken
Governor Role: Clerk to Governors
Committees: N/A
Type of Office: N/A
Term of Office: Salaried role
Job Title: Clerk to Governors
Pecuniary Interest: Office Manager at Greenfield Primary School and Clerk to Governors at Thistly Meadow (partner school)
Professional attributes, experiences, areas of expertise and what you bring to the role:
I have been employed at Greenfield Primary School since January 2017. Before that I worked at a number of schools around Leicestershire including academies and a special school. I have previously worked as a clerk to governors for other schools, so I have financial, administrative and clerking experience to bring to the Governing body. I have also been a school governor (safeguarding) at a secondary school.
The Clerk to the governors is responsible for providing independent procedural advice to the governing body and is the administrator for meetings of the governing body.
Attendance
Please see the table below for details of our Governors’ attendance over the past 12 months:
Governors attendance 2022 - 2023
Register of Business Interests
Click on the register below for more details:
