Meet The Governors

Responsibilities:  Headteacher

I am Headteacher at The Whitby High School. I am passionate about High Quality Inclusive Teaching and its ability to ensure that all children succeed in school.  

Responsibilities: Health & Safety

Responsibilities: Technology

Co-opted governor. 

Former long serving member of staff with prior experience as a governor both at Whitby and in a local primary school. Instrumental in setting up and managing the former technology college specialism.

Responsibilities: Visual and Performing Arts

I applied for the role as parent governor when my daughter started in year 7.

My son will be joining in September 2026 also.

I am an ex pupil myself and have a particular fondness for the school as my children are now 3rd generation students at TWHS.

I am committed to continuous improvement in all areas of the school, with particular emphasis on SEND.

My link subject is visual and performing arts, which I have always had a passion for as I would class myself as a bit of a thesp!

Being the director of a fire and security company, I bring a range of skills to the table, including business admin and finance, but in particular ,fire safety and compliance.

My hobbies include football, fishing, music and film.

RESPONSIBILITIES: English, Quality of Education and SEND Focus

Responsibilities: Health & Safety

I am a former student of The Whitby High School and am a parent governor at the school. I have been working in Human Resources in both the Further Education and Higher Education sectors for over 20 years, and I am currently the Deputy Director of Human Resources at the University of Chester.

I feel that I can support Whitby High School in the areas of Human Resources, Leadership, and Management.

I am passionate about the education sector and supporting young people and their aspirations throughout their educational journey.

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: Examinations, Attendance, Punctuality and Discipline

I have been a Governor at The Whitby High School for over 30 years, since 1995, 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 have followed the tradition and now attend the school.

In the early days, I was involved with the PTA, and was Treasurer and Vice-Chair of the PTA committee. For many years, I served as Co-Chair of Governors and Chair of the Student, Learning & Wellbeing Committee. My career background has mainly been working as an administrator for the LEA and in education, working over 17 years at Woodlands Primary School, until I retired.  

I am a local Magistrate with over 30years experience, all of which have given me the skills and experience to be an experienced and supportive Governor, having also been a Chair on the Discipline committee dealing with behaviour, inclusion, and attendance.

As a Link-Governor, I also work with the Senior Leadership Team and teaching staff with matters arising from a large and busy school.  I have seen many changes over the years, but The Whitby High School has still maintained its excellent reputation and good standing in the Community and will continue to.

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.

Responsibilities: PE & Wellbeing

I became Staff Governor in 2019 following an election process with two other members of staff in school. I have served both on my children’s PTA previously for 12 years and for my parish council for 10 years – recently stepped down. I am very interested and concerned for the students and their future education and well being. I am committed to ensure that the best opportunities are available for all students here at The Whitby High School. I think my role as staff governor brings the experience of working in a large high school for over 18 years and seeing the many changes that are made and contributing to the support of the school and the students.

Responsibilities: Pupil Premium and Quality of Education

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: Data Protection

I became a Local Authority Governor at The Whitby High School in March 2024, and I am currently the deputy chair of the Leadership and Management Committee.

I spent most my working life in the non-destructive testing industry, specialising in ultrasonic inspection. That work involved a great amount of travel. Working in some of the poorer parts of the world – Africa, Asia, and South America – has made me acutely aware of how a good education can lift people out of poverty, enable them to contribute to society, and gain their self-respect. I have also seen many young people in first-world countries, such as North America and Europe, take education for granted, not put in effort at school, and then struggle to secure the good job and standard of living they thought they were entitled to.

Raised on a council estate and leaving a comprehensive school with average qualifications, I didn’t have the opportunity to attend university. I’ve had to work hard throughout my life, and I know from personal experience how tough it can be out there.

As a governor at The Whitby High School, I am committed to supporting the headteacher and her team in continuously improving the quality of teaching, whilst also ensuring the school is managed appropriately. My most sincere wish is for every student to have the opportunity to fully engage with the education system and to leave the school with good qualifications, fully prepared to make a success of their adult lives, relationships, and careers.