Meet The Governors

Responsibilities:  GDPR champion and OFSTED Focus

I am a co-opted governor and a long-standing member of staff who has worked in many areas of the school and have prior experience of being on the governing body of The Whitby High School and as vice chair of governors in a local primary school. I relinquished my post as Assistant Headteacher and my current role is working two days a week delivering photography courses and acting as a consultant/adviser on strategic planning.

Associate (No Voting Rights)

Responsibilities: SEND and Personal Development

I have been a school governor since 1999 across the primary, secondary and further education sectors.

I really enjoy being a link governor, which involves meeting leaders, staff and students and learning about the subject specialisms, seeing the positives but also discussing the challenges. I am always amazed by the knowledge, experience and dedication of staff at all levels, not to mention the enthusiasm, good manners and hard work of the students!

It is fascinating to attend governors’ meetings, which provide an insight into the school’s performance & development.

I am a Solicitor by profession so I’m used to reading and analysing large amounts of material and listening courteously to the views of others. But I can also be quite robust and vocal in challenging the school.

RESPONSIBILITIES: English, Quality of Education and OFSTED Focus

I am a co-opted governor and the current co-chair of the governing board.  I have been a Governor for over 25 years and the current chair of governors at Parklands Primary School. My children attended The Whitby High School and have since moved on to great things. I have been a councillor for Cheshire West and Chester, a past Lord Mayor of Chester and past Mayor of Ellesmere Port.  I sit on the Leadership and Management Committee.  I regularly work alongside the Senior Leadership Team and teaching staff with matters arising from a large and busy school.  I have seen a few many changes over the years, but The Whitby High School has still maintained its excellent reputation and good standing in the community. I am a retired primary school teacher, and hold a Master’s Degree in Education.

I am keen to offer my skills and experience in the hope that I can make a positive contribution to the leadership and governance at The Whitby High School.  I am a qualified barrister and practiced as a commercial litigator from Chambers in Liverpool and Manchester for 16 years.  I am currently a lecturer at BPP University in Manchester working exclusively with trainee barristers in their post-graduate studies.  I have a passion for encouraging social mobility and feel strongly that children from all backgrounds should achieve their fullest potential, despite whatever obstacles or challenges they may face.

Responsibilites: Child Protection, Safeguarding

I am a quality manager for apprenticeships and a designated safeguarding officer for my company.

My daughters attend The Whitby High School and I felt the knowledge and skills I have developed in the further education sector along with what I have learned from my children will support school in achieving its aims.

Responsibilities: Headteacher

I am Headteacher at The Whitby High School, assuming the role in September 2011, having spent the previous seven years at Deputy Headteacher. Prior to my appointment to The Whitby High School, I worked in a number of secondary schools across Wirral and spent time as a local authority advisor for Design and Technology.

I have held a senior leadership position in schools since 1997 and had a number of responsibilities including an overview of Teaching and Learning, Appraisal, Curriculum, Professional Development and School Improvement.  I oversee the financial performance of the school and making sure money is well spent.

I am a governor at a local primary school.  I have been a primary school governor for over fifteen years and find the role invaluable in gaining a wider perspective of education at KS1 and KS2 and how we, within the secondary sector can build on those early successes.

To offer the best opportunities to all our learners within school the role of the governing body is critical in supporting the senior leadership team, staff and students. My philosophy is to support youngsters, whatever their background or ability to achieve their best in a safe and caring environment. I look to the governing body to support me in achieving this and in developing; the school to meet the ever changing needs of our modern society.

Responsibilities: Examinations, Attendance, Punctuality and Discipline

I have been associated with The Whitby High School for over 25 years, when my children started the school. My children had an excellent education at The Whitby High School and subsequently progressed to College/ University. My grandchildren hopefully will follow. In the early days, I was involved with the PTA, and was treasurer and vice-chair of the PTA committee. I was elected as a parent governor in 1995 and now as a co-opted governor.

I am currently co-chair of the governing board and chair of the Student Learning and Community Committee. My background has mainly been working as an administrator in education; over 15 years at Woodlands Primary School.  I have been a local Magistrate for over 20 years, all of which have given me the skills and experience to support governor, having served mainly on the Discipline committee dealing with behaviour, Inclusion and attendance. 

I regularly work alongside the Senior Leadership Team and teaching staff with matters arising from a large and busy school.  I have many changes over the years, but The Whitby High School has still maintained its excellent reputation and good standing in the Community

Responsibilities: Chair of Leadership and Management Committee

I represent the Willaston and Thornton Ward on Cheshire West and Chester Borough Council. I have served on Ellesmere Port and Neston borough Council and CWAC for over 30 years. I have served as chair of governors of The Whitby High School for over 15 years and have served on the Leadership and Management Committee throughout my 25 years as a governor of the school. I am married and have two daughters, a son and 8 grandchildren.

Responsibilities: Chair of Leadership and Management Committee

I have been a local councillor for over 40 years, the last thirteen years as a county councillor.  I have been a Labour Party member for 49 years, acting as chairman of the labour group for 25 years.  I have served as a governor for local schools for 46 years, having twice served as Mayor of Ellesmere Port and Neston, and was made an Honorary Alderman of the Borough in 2008.

I have also served and chaired several committees, particularly in the areas of licencing and leisure services.  I have always tried to promote the interests of my constituents, ensuring the development of services for families, education and in particular employment opportunities.

Having been a pupil many years ago at The Whitby High School, and now being a mother of three sons, one who has just left the school, one who is starting year nine and one about to start in year seven, I wholeheartedly want to see the school become an outstanding school. And this is my motivation for becoming a governor. I am however new to governance, but I do have a skill set that I hope to use in the role, and which I hope the governance team will find useful. I have an honours degree in biomedical science and 20 years of classroom experience. I have carried out, or I am still carrying out, educational roles in science, PSHE, pastoral leadership and senior leadership.

I believe I can offer as a member of the governance team support to the school leadership to make a real positive difference to the prospects of Whitby students from all walks of life and abilities. I believe if we share clarity in what we are trying to achieve and appreciate the challenges ahead of us and what we need to do to meet them, then we can achieve outstanding results that will benefit every single student who walks through our school doors.

I am really looking forward to working with everyone to ensure that the pupils at The Whitby High School get the very best opportunities.

Responsibilities: Careers

I have served on three governing bodies for over 25 years. I joined The Whitby High School Governors around 1993.

Both of my two children attended this school the last leaving in 2001, my wife also worked as a Teaching Assistant in the School.

On a personal level, I have a Master’s Degree in Education and taught for over 33 years at Wirral Metropolitan College as Programme Leader, lecturing in teacher training/education.

During my time at the College, I also served as a union representative for 5 years. I continue to work as a qualification consultant for City and Guilds.

I believe the role of a Governor is one of a ‘critical friend’. We should be as supportive as possible never losing sight that the school should help students develop academically and socially maximising all of their individual talents. Having been an employee within the education system I am also interested in the well-being of the staff and firmly believe that happy staff reflects favourably on to the students.

I am staff governor at The Whitby High School. I am also the CLA Governor. I work in the pastoral team for Windsor and York House and am very passionate about education and the future for all young people. I have served on my own children’s PTA for 12 years and am in my 8th year as a Parish Councillor. I am very eager to contribute towards the running and upkeep of the school.

Responsibilities: Pupil Premium and Quality of Education

I have been a governor at The Whitby High School for ten years. I sit on the Student Learning and Wellbeing Committee and have particular responsibility for Pupil Premium. Both my children attended the school.

As a Headteacher of a local primary school, I feel that I have a good understanding of the challenges facing the students of The Whitby High School and thus can work with the rest of the governing body from an informed position. I believe my role in relation to the school leadership is that of ‘critical friend,’ offering support when required with challenge when appropriate.

Responsibilities: History, Sixth Form and OFSTED Focus

I have several years’ experience as a school governor and a former secondary school teacher and middle leader in humanities. I am experienced in education and bring skills in the areas of leadership and management, governance and finance.

Currently a serving councillor for the Whitby Ward, I am the Portfolio holder for Environment, the was Mayor of Ellesmere Port 2018/19 and Chair of the Council’s SACRE (Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education).

I am strategic, analytical and methodical in my approach to governance and believe in adding value to the governing body, both as a ‘critical friend’ and advisor. I am passionate about the importance of education and delivering good outcomes for children and young people.

Responsibilities: Personal Development

My child attended The Whitby High School.  I am quite new to governance and I enjoy learning how school works.  I am a payments administrator for a large insurance company in Liverpool and have administrative experience in finance, HR, fundraising and P.A./Managerial.  I attended The Whitby High School myself from 1982-1987 and I am committed to supporting the Headteacher and his team to deliver the best possible learning environment and achievements for all pupils.

Responsibilities: Health & Safety and Leadership & Management

Henry Terefenko is the Chief Executive of ForHousing, a registered social housing provider based in the North West who own and manage 24,000 homes; including the 5,500 homes in Ellesmere Port owned by Cheshire West and Chester Council. Henry has been a School Governor at Whitby High School for 18 months and sits on the Leadership and Management Committee.

Henry is passionate about improving educational standards in schools as a foundation for raising aspirations in local communities.