Our Governing Body

Manor Wood PS has a Local Governing Body which has a vital role in making sure every child gets the best possible education. A key role is to act as a ‘critical friend’; to support, to challenge, to ask questions and to oversee the financial performance of the school, ensuring that money is well spent.

The Governing Body works in close partnership with the Headteacher, staff and the Trust.  Whilst the Headteacher is, of course, responsible for the day to day running of the school, the governors are involved with such things as staffing, curriculum, school buildings and finance. It ensures the school functions well and maintains the proper range of academic and social objectives.

The governing body consists of:

• Headteacher
• Elected Staff Governor
• LA Representative 
• Elected Parent Governors
• Co-opted Governors

The standard term of office for a governor is four years. The chair and vice-chair are elected every two years at the first meeting of the academic year.

The chair of governors is Mrs Kim Adams, who can be contacted via the school office or directly via email at: k.adams@manorwood.owlcotesmat.org

There is one sub-committee which focuses on Teaching and Learning and feeds back to all governors in the full governing body meetings. 

Governors discharge their responsibilities through 4 Governing Body meetings each year. These formal meetings are supplemented by a series of informal sub-committee meetings dealing with more specific issues. A number of governors also have responsibilities for specific issues within the school such as literacy, mathematics, safeguarding and inclusion.

Governors adopt, review and monitor a range of policies that govern the operation of the school including Health and Safety, Safeguarding, Behaviour, Curriculum and Performance Management.

They are instrumental in terms of ensuring that the school has strategies in place to enable children to achieve their full potential and an education which will equip them to achieve future successes.

Message from Chair of Governors

I briefly introduce to you the work of the Governing Body who aim to ensure that your child(ren) receive an excellent and enjoyable primary school education.  We have a range of powers and duties laid down by various Education Acts.  Responsibilities relate to

• Setting targets and promoting high standards
• Setting the strategic framework and direction of travel for the school’s future
• Management of the school’s delegated budget
• Ensuring that the curriculum for the school is balanced and broadly based

Each school year there are five full Governing Body meetings supported by a series of sub-committees dealing with more specific issues such as resources, teaching and learning, pupil support.  Individual Governors may also have responsibilities for specific issues within the school such as mathematics, inclusion, and safeguarding.  Our Governing Body is very fortunate in having very active and willing members from a wide range of backgrounds and experience.

Part of our role is to review, monitor and adopt a range of policies that govern the operation of the school including behaviour and performance management

The Governing Body are extremely proud of the achievements of the school particularly the academic results but also in the solid foundation it provides in developing the children and preparing them for their future.

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Information regarding the governors of MWPS

Kim Adams (Chair and Ex-Parent)

Term of office: June 2023- Present

Register of Interests: None

Attendance Full

I started as a parent governor at  Manor Wood Primary when my now adult child was in reception! I am now a co-opted governor.  I have worked for lots of different charities, developing services for people and bring lots of experience of spotting opportunities and turning these into actions.  I currently work for the NHS in Leeds joining up health and social care with community services.  As a senior manager I have a breadth of experience including finance, HR and strategic planning.

 

Colette Kurylo (Vice Chair)

Term of office: June 2023- Present

Register of Interests: None

Attendance Full

I joined the Governing Body of Manor Wood in October 2023 as a Co-opted member, and I am thoroughly enjoying the experience. I work for the 2gether Cluster as the Cluster Leader, and my role involves working with 12 schools (both primary and secondary) offering a wide range of services to children and their families. My career has always involved working with children and families, most recently as part of the Senior Leadership Team of a LA maintained Primary School. I have a vast experience in safeguarding within education and am trained as a Designated Safeguarding Lead. I enjoy spending time with family and friends and travelling to Greece.

 

Kate Humphries (Headteacher at MWPS) 

Term of office: January 2024 - present

Register of Interests: 

Attendance: Full 

I have worked at Manor Wood since 2009 having held many roles in school during this period. I have been a member of the senior leadership team for the past 8 years before becoming Headteacher in January 2024 after returning from maternity leave after having my first child. I am extremely proud of our school and the staff and children we have here. I am passionate about making a difference every day and believe that our children deserve an environment that fosters this. I aim to ensure that every child has a happy and successful time at our school and endorse a universal ambition that allows our children, whatever their background or starting point, to feel safe, valued and become confident, resilient learners who are inspired by their environment and our curriculum offer.

 

Ellen Lowry (Deputy Headteacher at MWPS) 

Term of office: June 2023 - present

Register of Interests: None

Attendance: Full 

I have been fortunate enough to be a teacher at Manor Wood since 2008 which is testament to what a fantastic place it is to work and to be part of. During that time, I have taught across KS1 and KS2 (most recently in Year 6), and led various subjects including Literacy, Geography and Computing. I love books and given half a chance can be found curled up with a new novel in my spare time, so I am proud to have led Literacy across school for many years, creating a "reading school" culture and supporting our staff in the effective planning and teaching of reading, writing and phonics. I took up the role of Assistant Headteacher and DSL, continuing to lead Literacy but also mentoring and supporting staff and trainee teachers across school, as well as facilitating the NPQ qualifications in teacher leadership for the Leeds Teaching School Hub. I am now Deputy Headteacher and my role has expanded to include responsibility for development of the wider curriculum. I love my job and I know the staff here are all just as passionate about making a difference for the children we teach. As a governor and senior leader, I am proud to help shape the future of our school.

 

Andy Patrick (Teacher at MWPS) 

Term of office: June 2023 - present

Register of Interests: Owner of Foundations Nursery in Batley. 

Attendance: Full 

I am a full time teacher at MWPS, currently I enjoy teaching in Y5 having spent time working across KS1.  Previous to that, I was lucky enough to spend 5 years working in our inspiring EYFS.  I am a huge advocate of promoting creativity and relish using drama to help improve oracy.  As the Computing curriculum lead and self-confessed technology geek, I am passionate about the use of computing to help children learn.  Within my classroom, I try to engender an inviting, collaborative exchange of ideas via a democratic approach between myself and my students.  I am qualified Early Years SLE for Noctua and have delivered training to over 25 schools over the last few years.   I own an outstanding children's nursery in Batley and am a director of a small teaching supply agency.  In those occasional moments when I am not working, my three, independent and very different daughters who also come to MWPS keep me busy! As a sports enthusiast, I follow lots of sport and regularly play tennis each week in the misguided hope that at some point I might start improving!

 

Darren Lansiquot 

Term of office: October 2023 - present

Register of Interests: None

Attendance: Full 

I have two children that attend Manor Wood Primary School. I have always been hugely impressed with the quality of teaching provided throughout the school. It was a great surprise and honour to be asked to become a Governor at the school, and I look forward to helping it maintain the high standards it has achieved. I work as a Network Engineer for a financial company based in Leeds. Outside of work I enjoy walking and cycling and travelling with my family when time permits.

 

Yasir Elhaggaz

Term of office: October 2023 - present

Register of Interests: None

Attendance: Full 

Greetings! I am honoured to serve as a Governing Board member at Manor Wood Primary School, commencing my role on October 23, 2023. As a dedicated parent governor with two children enrolled at the school, I am deeply invested in fostering a positive educational environment. I am enthusiastic about contributing to the school's growth and development over the next 4-5 years. Together with fellow governors, staff, and parents, I am committed to ensuring a nurturing and thriving educational experience for all students at Manor Wood Primary School.

 

Shruti R Sharma

Term of office: June 2023 - Present

Register of Interests: None

I have been a LEA Governor at  Manor Wood Primary School for a number of years now and I am thoroughly enjoying the experience. I work for a large global bank as a Senior Credit Risk Analyst and have 10 years of experience working within this sector. It was through a work open day that I was first presented with the idea of becoming a school governor. The idea of using the skills gained from the analytical nature of my job to help a school really appealed to me and I immediately signed up! Outside of work I am a trained danced and still regularly attend classes, enabling me to interact with people across different age groups and sections of society. I enjoy travelling and reading in my spare time.

 

Sandeep S Lall (Parent)

Start Date to office: 17.10.24

Register of Interests: No conflicts of interest

Attendance Full

I started as a parent governor at Manor Wood Primary in October 2023. I've worked in Construction Consultancy and Client Side roles for 20 years and have been involved in projects with the NHS, Ministry of Defence, Department for Education and the Ministry of Justice. I was previously Vice Chair of Governors at Primley Wood Primary School before I joined Manor Wood. I'm currently developing the estate at Alder Hey Children's Hospital which will address many health and social care needs for Liverpool and it's surrounding areas.  As a Senior Manager I have a breadth of experience including finance, leadership and project management.

 

Deborah Kenny

Term of office: January 2024 - present

Register of Interests: Director of School Improvement OWLCOTES MAT

Attendance: Full 

I have been in the teaching profession for 40 years and have a wealth of experience. I have been a governor at a number of state funded schools and the Grammar Schools at Leeds, where I was a governor for 13 years. I have been a Headteacher in 2 schools and the Executive Principal in 2 others. I worked as a Senior Advisor for the Local Authority for 5 years and am now employed by OMAT as Director of Teaching and Learning.

I am totally committed to ensuring that children receive their full potential and that they are fully prepared for future life in an ever changing world. That they receive a rounded education and have access to many and varied experiences in their primary years.

Manor Wood PS is very dear to my heart and it is a privilege to continue to be able to play a part in the life of the school.

 

Carmel Barton

Term of office: October 2023 - Present

Register of Interests: None

Attendance : Full

I am a Staff Governor and have Managed Manor Wood Children’s Centre since February 2017. In addition to managing the 50 place day care and family services, I also support the school’s practice around Safeguarding. I am a member of the Senior Leadership Team and am proud of the excellent services families can access here.

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What to do if you are interested in being a Governor:

All governors to a school’s Governing Body must be elected or appointed.

If you want to be part of Manor Wood Primary School’s Governing Body, please enquire about any vacancies from Kate Humphries, the Headteacher.

Visit Leeds City Council Website for guidance and advice about being a governor and where you can access an application form.