Our Governing Body grew to 10 members from 1st December 2021, due to the expansion of the school. In addition, we have one associate governor.
We come from a variety of backgrounds and bring different skills and expertise, but we are all committed to ensuring that West Oaks provides a safe, happy learning environment and that our pupils receive the best education possible.
The Governors are responsible for:
- ensuring that the visions, ethos and strategic direction of the school are clearly defined
- ensuring that the senior leadership team performs their responsibilities for the educational performance of the school;
- ensuring the sound, proper and effective use of the school’s financial resources.
The chair of the governing body is Ben Thaler, he can be contacted at [email protected]
Each year the governors are required to declare any relevant business and pecuniary interests. This includes business interests in the school, financial interests, being a governor at another school, being related to another member of staff. All governors have voting rights.
All governors made a nil return with the exception of Ben Thaler – he is Chair of Governors at Outwood Academy Freeston, Chair of Normanton Freeston Foundation
Co-opted (appointed by the governing body)
Ben Thaler – 08/02/2022 – 31/08/2027
Term as Chair – 27/03/24 – 30/09/2026
Elaine Hampson (Vice Chair) 15/09/2021 – 31/08/2027
Term as Vice Chair 14/09/2022 – 30/09/2026
Lynne Fickling 01/03/2022 – 22/02/2030
LA (1) (appointed by the LA)
Joy Boyce 12/06/2024-12/06/2028
Parents (3) (elected by parents of the school)
Chris Tolson – 06/12/2023 – 05/12/2027
Mohammad Shan-A-Khuda 18/09/2024 – 18/09/2028
Vacant
Principal
Keeley Murray – 22/04/2025
Staff (1) (appointed by staff)
Katie Hurley – 13/03/2019 – 10/03/2027
Committee Membership
Business Planning, Premises Health and Safety
Ben Thaler (Chair)
Keeley Murray
Lynne Fickling
Chris Tolson
Nicola Bean (In Attendance)
Simon Wilson (in Attendance)
Craig Wagstaff (In Attendance)
Liz Mason (In attendance/clerk)
Standards, Achievement and Safeguarding
Elaine Hampson (Chair)
Keeley Murray
Katie Hurley
Joy Boyce
Mohammad Shan-A-Khuda
Anna Stevens (in attendance)
Liz Mason (Clerk)
Headteacher Performance Management
Ben Thaler (Chair)
Elaine Hampson
Mohammad Shan-A-Khuda
Pay Appeals Committe
Elaine Hampson
Mohammad Shan-A-Khuda
Joyce Boyce
Governor Responsibilities
Child Protection (CP)/Safeguarding – Elaine Hampson
Children Looked After (CLA) – Ben Thaler
Attendance – Mohammad Shan-A-Khuda
Pupil premium, PE and Sports Premium – Ben Thaler
Equality – Mohammad Shan-A-Khuda
EYFS and ECT – Elaine Hampson/Joy Boyce
Governor Training – Ben Thaler
Health and Safety – Chris Tolson
Complaints – Ben Thaler/Elaine Hampson
Wellbeing Pupil and Staff – Lynne Fickling/Joy Boyce
Cyber Security Link Governor – Chris Tolson
Website – Chris Tolson
Committee membership and meeting dates
These are described in the attached
Updated West Oaks Governing Body Membership and meeting dates 2025-2026
Governors whose term of office ended within the last 12 months
Andrew Hodkinson – Principal- term ended 20/4/2025
Terence Karran – Parent Governor- term ended 16/06/2025
John Normington – co- opted governor- term ended 30/11/2025
Governing Body Attendance 2024- 2025