Governors Required
We are currently recruiting volunteers to join our Local Governing Board and help drive school improvement. If you are interested please visit the Minerva Learning Trust website.
On behalf of the Governing Body of Woodthorpe Primary School thank you for taking a moment to get to know our role a little more.
The Governing Body is here to agree with the school’s strategic direction and make sure the school succeeds in helping all its pupils to get the most from their time with us.
The whole governing body is extremely proud of our recent OFSTED results, please take a moment to look at them under the Ofsted Reports Section of the website. The whole team at Woodthorpe already have plans in place to take these to even higher heights in the near future. We are always here to listen to your thoughts from your children’s experiences at school so please pass them on to us and be sure they will be listened to.
One of my aims in the body is to make sure that all aspects of the school are challenged to make sure that the school exceeds your expectations on an academic basis but also that we adhere to basic principles that all families strive to embed in their children; trust, politeness and a friendly supportive behaviour should all be the norm for our pupils.
Should you need to contact me please either leave your details at reception or alternatively contact me  at enquires@woodthorpe.sheffield.sch.uk
Grant Walker
Chair of Governors
School Governors
School Governors help determine the strategic direction of a school, ensure pupils and staff are safe and challenge and support the school in tackling weaknesses and bringing about necessary changes.
Should you wish to become a parent governor please speak to the office staff who will be happy to advise you.
| Name | Role / Designation |
| Grant Walker | Chair of Governors |
| Dave Smith | Headteacher |
| Lisa Eyre | Co-opted Governor / Lead SEND Governor |
| Anna Perkins | Staff Governor |
| Tracey Twelvetrees | Staff Governor |
| Andrew Rathbone | Parent Governor / Lead Safeguarding Governor |
| Kathryn Thacker | Co-opted Governor / Lead Vulnerable Groups Governor |
| Emma Needham | Parent Governor |
Guidance for Governors
Structure of Governing Body
1 x Headteacher
1 x Chair
2 x Staff Governor
2 x Parent Governors
2 x Co-Opted Governors
Download a list of Governors with details and attendance records.
2022/2023 Attendance of Governors
As a governing body the school had 6 full Governing Body Meetings for the academic year 2022/2023.
| Name | Meetings Attended |
| Dave Smith | 6 |
| Karen Bister | 6 |
| Grant Walker | 6 |
| Andrew Rathbone | 6 |
| Lisa Eyre | 5 |
| Fr. Philip Knowles | 2 |
| Emma Needham | 1 |
| Tracey Twelvetrees | 6 |
| Elliot Townsend | 1 |
| Anna Perkins | 3 |
| Kathryn Thacker | 6 |
Meet our Governors
Grant Walker - Chair of Governors
| Grant Walker – Chair of Governors | |
| Name | Mr Grant Walker |
| Category | Chair of Governors – Parent |
| Date of appointment | 14/10/20 |
| Term of office | 11/10/2023 – 13/10/2024 |
| Date stepped down (if applicable) | Â |
| Who appointed them | Parents |
| Business and Pecuniary interests |
Director of Vidigi Media Services – Offering video and photography to many industries including education 2023/24 |
| Governance roles in other educational establishments |
Co opted Governor at Handsworth Grange Community Sports College Confirmed for Academic Year: 2021/22 |
| Any material interests arising from relationships between governors or relationships between governors and school staff (including spouses, partners and close relatives) |
Children attend 2 of the schools in Minerva Learning Trust Confirmed for Academic Year: 2023/24 |
David Smith
| David Smith | |
| Name | Mr David Smith |
| Category | Headteacher |
| Date of appointment | 07/06/10 |
| Term of office | Â |
| Date stepped down (if applicable) | Â |
| Who appointed them | Appointed by the governing body |
| Business and Pecuniary interests |
None Confirmed for Academic Year: 2023/24 |
| Governance roles in other educational establishments |
None Confirmed for Academic Year: 2023/24 |
| Any material interests arising from relationships between governors or relationships between governors and school staff (including spouses, partners and close relatives) |
None Confirmed for Academic Year: 2023/24 |
Kathryn Thacker
| Kathryn Thacker | |
| Name | Mrs Kathryn Thacker |
| Category | Co-Opted |
| Date of appointment | 01/09/19 |
| Term of office | 01/09/2023 – 31/08/2027 |
| Date stepped down (if applicable) | Â |
| Who appointed them | Appointed by the governing body |
| Business and Pecuniary interests |
None Confirmed for Academic Year: 2023/24 |
| Governance roles in other educational establishments |
None Confirmed for Academic Year: 2023/24 |
| Any material interests arising from relationships between governors or relationships between governors and school staff (including spouses, partners and close relatives) |
Children attend 1 of the schools in Minerva Learning Trust Confirmed for Academic Year: 2023/24 |
Tracey Twelvetrees
| Tracey Twelvetrees | |
| Name | Mrs Tracey Twelvetrees |
| Category | Staff |
| Date of appointment | 01/09/19 |
| Term of office | 01/09/2023 – 31/08/2027 |
| Date stepped down (if applicable) | Â |
| Who appointed them | City Community Learning Trust |
| Business and Pecuniary interests |
None Confirmed for Academic Year: 2023/24 |
| Governance roles in other educational establishments |
None Confirmed for Academic Year: 2023/24 |
| Any material interests arising from relationships between governors or relationships between governors and school staff (including spouses, partners and close relatives) |
Daughter works in Minerva Learning Trust Central Team Confirmed for Academic Year: 2023/24 |
Lisa Eyre
| Lisa Eyre | |
| Name | Miss Lisa Eyre |
| Category | SEND |
| Date of appointment | 15/05/19 |
| Term of office | 15/05/2023 – 15/05/2027 |
| Date stepped down (if applicable) | Â |
| Who appointed them | Appointed by the governing body |
| Business and Pecuniary interests |
None Confirmed for Academic Year: 2023/24 |
| Governance roles in other educational establishments |
None Confirmed for Academic Year: 2023/24 |
| Any material interests arising from relationships between governors or relationships between governors and school staff (including spouses, partners and close relatives) |
None Confirmed for Academic Year: 2023/24 |
Andrew Rathbone
| Andrew Rathbone | |
| Name | Mr Andrew Rathbone |
| Category | Parent |
| Date of appointment | 01/09/2021 |
| Term of office | 01/09/2021 – 31/08/2025 |
| Date stepped down (if applicable) | Â |
| Who appointed them | Parents |
| Business and Pecuniary interests |
None Confirmed for Academic Year: 2023/24 |
| Governance roles in other educational establishments |
None Confirmed for Academic Year: 2023/24 |
| Any material interests arising from relationships between governors or relationships between governors and school staff (including spouses, partners and close relatives) |
Children attend 1 of the schools in Minerva Learning Trust Confirmed for Academic Year: 2023/24 |
Anna Perkins
| Anna Perkins | |
| Name | Mrs Anna Perkins |
| Category | Staff |
| Date of appointment | 16/06/2021 |
| Term of office | 16/06/2021 – 15/06/2025 |
| Date stepped down (if applicable) | Â |
| Who appointed them | Elected by school staff |
| Business and Pecuniary interests |
None Confirmed for Academic Year: 2023/24 |
| Governance roles in other educational establishments |
None Confirmed for Academic Year: 2023/24 |
| Any material interests arising from relationships between governors or relationships between governors and school staff (including spouses, partners and close relatives) |
None Confirmed for Academic Year: 2023/24 |
Emma Needham
| Emma Needham | |
| Name | Mrs Emma Needham |
| Category | Parent |
| Date of appointment | 18/06/2023 |
| Term of office | 18/06/2023 – 17/06/2027 |
| Date stepped down (if applicable) | Â |
| Who appointed them | Appointed by the governing body |
| Business and Pecuniary interests |
None Confirmed for Academic Year: 2023/24 |
| Governance roles in other educational establishments |
None Confirmed for Academic Year: 2023/24 |
| Any material interests arising from relationships between governors or relationships between governors and school staff (including spouses, partners and close relatives) |
Children attend 1 of the schools in Minerva Learning Trust Confirmed for Academic Year: 2023/24 |
For details on our Trust Board and access to information such as accounts, financials and funding please see our Trust site available here.Â