Members, Trustees & Governors

Acting Principal

Staff Governor: Simon Whittaker

The Vice Principal at Werneth Primary School, Simon has worked here since 2015. Prior to this, he worked in another local primary school in for 11 years as SENCo and a class teacher. His current role includes leading, and supporting staff in the development of teaching and learning, and our curriculum and assessment. As a Staff Governor, he is able to represent the views of staff and share the excellent work which is taking place within the school. In addition to this, Simon can inform governors of the current attainment and progress that pupils are making and explain what the school is doing to raise standards throughout the school.
Term of Office: 05/03/2023

Parent Governor: Vaheed Shadi

Vaheed is a father of twins who currently attend Werneth Primary. He was initially a part of the Drive Team and PTA, subsequently becoming a Parent Governor, and more recently he became a Scout Leader at 6th Oldham Adventurers. Vaheed has been working in the IT sector for over 20 years, currently a Wintel/Virtual implementation and support engineer for a government department.
Term of Office: 31/08/2020

Co-opted Governor: Irene Howard

Irene is an experienced Primary Headteacher and has worked extensively as a School Improvement Advisor and Independent Consultant in Primary education. Irene joined the Board of Governors in 2007, initially as a Parent Governor, a position she held for 2 years while her daughter and son attended the college. Irene was invited to join OSFC Board of Governors as an Independent Governor in November 2007, and was elected Chair of the Quality Committee and Vice Chair of Governors. Further to the creation of the Pinnacle Learning Trust in 2018, Irene is Vice Chair of Governors of OSFC LGB, a Trustee of the PLT and a governor at two primary schools, including Werneth.
Term of Office: 04/03/2023

Non-Teaching Staff Governor: Jacqueline Hodgkiss

Term of Office: 31/08/2020

Co-opted Governor: Jane Hodgson

Jane initially worked in industry after leaving school with a background in business and finance, but then returned to education and gained a BA(Hons) degree in Primary Education with QTS. She has taught for many years and was a governor for 6 years. She has taught across Key Stage 1 & 2, leading in Art & Design, SEND, Literacy, and Looked After Children, and was Key Stage 2 leader. At present she is the Designated Safeguarding Lead, and more recently has become the GDPR champion in school. Jane is currently a Deputy Head Teacher at a school in Rochdale, and works closely with the Governing Body in her role on the Senior Leadership Team.
Term of Office: 31/08/2021

Co-opted Governor: Nichola Baker

Term of Office: 01/09/2023

Co-opted Governor: Syed Maruf Ali

Syed joined Werneth as a Parent Governor, having 2 children who attend the school. He works in a secondary school as an Assistant Head of Year 11 and is also a Trustee at a local Community Centre, Committee member of a local Mosque, Trustee of a local community organisation and member of the Independent Police Advisory Board. Syed has always actively been involved in supporting issues local to the area. Being a Governor allows him to offer his support, assistance and advice, and he feels he can ensure that all young children’s health and development is at the heart of every decision made, and they have the best opportunity to maximise their potential.
Term of Office: 31/08/2020

Chair

Chris Wilson

Chris recently retired from a successful career at The Co-operative Bank where he took ultimate responsibility for the Specialist Sectors business, including Local Authorities, Charities, Real Estate, Co-op Retail Societies and Treasury. Living in the Borough from the age of 10, Chris has also been a Governor of North Chadderton School, Chair of the Local Advisory Board of the Career Academy and Chair of the Partnership Board of the University Centre Oldham.

John Porter

John is a partner in a local firm of solicitors and heads the firm’s Commercial Department, specialising in Employment Law and Business matters. He is also the current Chair of Governors at Oldham Sixth Form College.

Mike Gibbons

Mike is the Director of External Relations at Manchester Metropolitan University. Prior to his appointment on the Board of Trustees at The Pinnacle Learning Trust, Mike was a governor at Oldham Sixth Form College.

David Read

David is a Partner in Gatley Read, Chartered Accountants, elected onto the Governing Body in December 2007 when he joined the Finance & General Purposes Committee. David currently sits on the Finance and Resources committee of the MAT.

Jayne Clarke

Jayne has been Principal at the highly successful Oldham Sixth Form College for the last seven years. She is an active member of the Sixth Form College Association Council and Chair of the Funding Committee. Jayne is a National Leader of Education, a member of the Oldham Opportunity Area Partnership Board and continues to support other secondary schools that are not members of The Pinnacle Learning Trust through membership of a number of Governing Bodies.

Tony Jones

Tony was a member of staff at The Hathershaw College from 1985 until his retirement in 2015, and was the teaching staff governor for the last few years of his time there. He is now a co-opted governor, liaising with the SENCo and SEN staff to actively help raise standards within the faculty.