Welcome to the Governors section of our website. The aims and values of the school are at the centre of everything we do as governors.
The Governing Body contributes to the strategic leadership of the school by working in close partnership with the Headteacher, Senior Leadership Team and school staff to provide both challenge and support. We are not involved with the day-to-day management or operational decisions of the school.
Our Governing Body is made up of a range of people with different skills and experience to support the strategic running of the school.
The core functions of governance are:
- Clarity in the vision for the school, its’ ethos and strategic direction
- Holding our executive leader to account for the educational performance of the organisation and its pupils and the performance management of staff
- Overseeing the financial performance of the organisation and making sure that money is well spent.
- Ensuring that stakeholders voices are heard
We have a range of statutory responsibilities which include:
- Safeguarding
- Special Educational Needs
- Pupil Premium
- PE and Sports Funding
- Equality
- Curriculum
- Health and Safety
We monitor these in a variety of ways. This includes reading and reviewing documents, visiting the school, talking to pupils, parents and staff. The School Improvement and Development Plan helps us ensure that the school is focussing on the right things to continue to improve and offer the best for pupils at Hethersett Woodside Primary and Nursery.
The Governing Body operates as a full board and does not have any committees currently. We have designated governors when committees are required for specific purposes such as Appeals. We form working parties when we need to undertake specific pieces of work that require additional input.
As Governors we have a Code of Conduct that is based on the Seven Principles of Public Life (Nolan). Some governors are elected and others such as ‘Co-opted Governors’ are recruited for their skills. If you would like to know more about school governance please contact the Chair of Governors via chairofgovs@hethersettwoodside.org.uk.
The clerk for the Governing Body is independent of the school and offers professional advice on governance to the board. Her contact details are: stephanie.grand@norfolk.gov.uk
Member of the Governing Board at Hethersett Woodside Primary & Nursery School
| Governor Name | Category of Governor | Body Appointing | Membership of Committee(s) /Key Responsibilities | Term of Office |
| Louise Mainwaring | Headteacher | |||
| Co-Opted | FGB | |||
| Sonia Innes | Co-Opted | FGB | 28/11/2023 to 28/11/2027 | |
| Linda De Bloeme | Co-opted | FGB | Mental Health & Wellbeing Committee | 03/11/2021 to 02/11/2025 |
| Liz Jones | Local Authority Governor | Local Authority | SLM Committee | 01/11/2023 |
| Victoria Smith | Staff Governor | Staff | Teaching, Learning & Standards Committee | 12/05/2020 to11/05/2024 |
| Parent Governor | ||||
| Raheel Syed | Parent Governor | Parents | Teaching, Learning & Standards Committee | 05/06/2023 to 04/06/2027 |
| Abdul Wadood Mohammed | Parent Governor | Parents | Health & Safety Committee Mental health & Wellbeing Committee | 05/06/2023 to 04/06/2027 |
Governor Profiles
Mrs Louise Mainwaring
Head teacher
I am delighted to be the Head teacher of Hethersett Woodside Primary and Nursery School.
I was appointed to this role in September 2023, and I am fortunate to work alongside a forward thinking group of Governors and staff.
My role on the Governing Board is to ensure Governors have a clear understanding of all aspects of our school; in order that they may challenge and hold leaders to account.
I have a considerable amount of school leadership experience, and am very driven to ensure our school is the very best it can be for every learner in our community.
Mrs Rosemary Kett
Chair of Governors
I currently work as a freelance education consultant, having previously been a headteacher in a wide variety of schools. I have considerable personal experience of governance and professionally supporting boards with training on their strategic leadership roles. These are skills I bring to the board along with a desire to support the school community to provide the best we can for every child. I also volunteer with ReadEasy supporting adults who are learning to read.
Mrs Liz Jones
Vice Chair of Governors
I have lived in Hethersett for over 40 years. I have two grown-up children, both of whom loved their time at Hethersett primary and secondary schools until moving to Norwich schools for 6th form.
I have recently retired from my job as a Specialist Learning Support Teacher and am very pleased to be able to give something back to Hethersett Woodside as a SEND Governor.
In my spare time I enjoy travelling, reading, gardening, cooking, and spending time with my family (some here and some in America) – and my cat!
Mrs Sonia Innes
I joined the board of governors at the end of 2023. I currently work as Education Director for a not-for-profit community interest company, supporting schools in East Anglia. I have worked in education for over 20 years, fourteen of which as a headteacher of three different primary schools. I am passionate about ensuring all children receive a high quality education. I am delighted to be able to use my experience in education to support Hethersett Woodside Primary and Nursery School.
Mrs Sarah Mardell
I have worked in primary education for over 30 years, as a class teacher, Early Years Adviser and Head Teacher, before taking early retirement in 2023. I am currently volunteering/ employed as a Family Support Worker at HMP Norwich. I have a great deal of experience in Early Years education, safeguarding and SEND provision and I am keen to use my knowledge and skills, to support Hethersett Woodside Primary School, where my daughter was once a pupil.
Mr Raheel Syed
I have been working for more than 22 years in different educational settings around the world. As Parent Governor I am honored to represent the voice of parents and guardians in the governance of Hethersett Woodside Primary & Nursery School. My role is to ensure that the views and concerns of parents are heard and considered in all aspects of school life, fostering a collaborative environment that benefits the entire school community. My goal is to participate in the development and review of the school’s strategic plan, help shape the educational experience and opportunities for children.
The governing board which I am part of strives to uphold the values and ethos of the school, promoting a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for all students. I welcome feedback, questions, and suggestions from all parents and guardians. Together, we can continue to build a thriving school community where every student can succeed. I look forward to working with you to support the success of our children and the school.
Mrs Anne Larner
I joined the board of governors in May 2024 and have experience of being a governor from when my children were younger. My children were all educated locally and I have been involved in village life for over 30 years. I worked for Norfolk Adult Education for many years and enjoyed my time in the classroom, as a manager and then as a trainer. Having taken early retirement, I am looking forward to using my experience and time to support Hethersett Woodside Primary school.
Mrs Linda De Bloeme
Mr Abdul Wadood Mohammed
I am a doctor by profession, working at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and James Paget University Hospital as a Consultant in the department of Ear, Nose and Throat. Part of my work involves educating and training medical students and junior doctors. I volunteer as an assistant Coach at the Hethersett Badminton Club. I have lived in Hethersett from 2020 and I have seen my kids grow up and get educated by the wonderful team at Hethersett Woodside Primary School. I am passionate about helping the school to develop further and to cater for the needs of all the children in Hethersett. I feel that my role as a governor can help monitor and guide its progress.
Baiba Zivtins
I was elected as staff governor for the governing board in 2024. At my previous school, I enjoyed fulfilling the role for a term of 4 years and I am delighted to once more be part of the strategic running of a school. Having been a teacher and phase leader at Hethersett Woodside for the past 2 years, I am committed to working alongside all other governors in driving the school forward with its vision.