Governors
Whitecotes Primary Academy Interim Strategic Governing Body
Ann Cruickshank - Chair of Governors
Neil Robinson - Trust Governor
Paul Bennett - Trust Governor
Co-Headteachers: Mr M Parkinson
Message from the Interim Strategic Governing Body.
On January 1st Poolsbrook Primary School and Whitecotes Primary School joined the Flying High Partnership.
One new single interim strategic board, across Poolsbrook and Whitecotes, was established in January and is charged, in time, with growing a new governing body to take responsibility for the two schools. The governors fully understand and support both schools in the urgency with which improvements will be made. Support for school improvement is given by the FHP Education Team and the headteacher from Hollingwood Primary School, Chesterfield.
The interim strategic board consists of the chair, Ann Cruickshank, and two Trust governors, Paul Bennett and Neil Robinson, who are all experienced governors.
Ann Cruickshank:
I worked in schools in Norfolk, Staffordshire, Derbyshire and Derby City for over 40 years as a teacher, deputy head, head teacher and Local Leader of Education. Since retiring a few years ago, I have worked as an independent educational consultant, specialising in safeguarding, as well being the chair of governors for two schools in Derby City. I look forward to working with Poolsbrook and Whitecotes to support them on their journey of improvement.
Paul Bennett
I worked for over 40 years in primary education as a teacher and headteacher in Birmingham, senior primary school inspector in Warwickshire, and Director for Primary School Leadership at the National College for Teaching and Leadership in Nottingham. Now retired I retain a passion for primary education. I am pleased to be able to support a Trust committed to making a difference to the lives and life chances of children. As well as being a Trustee of the Flying High Trust, I am also a governor at Bilsthorpe Flying High Academy. I hope that by joining the Interim Strategic Board of Poolsbrook and Whitecotes Primary Academies I can support the schools on their journeys of improvement that will ensure that children receive the quality of education they deserve.
Neil Robinson
I am a founding Member and Trustee of the Flying High Trust and, as a National Leader of Governance, I am a governor on six other governing bodies, two of which I chair. I am a CIPFA qualified accountant with a background of specialising in education / school finance at the Local Education Authority. This has meant that I have been an influential lead on the various governing bodies I support, in financial matters and data analysis, in addition to providing leadership support on strategic direction, roles / responsibilities and recruitment. I look forward to working with Poolsbrook and Whitecotes on their journey of improvement.
If you wish to contact any of our governors please direct your enquiry in the first instance to Ms Pam Miles c/o Whitecotes Primary Academy, Whitecotes Lane, Walton, Chesterfield, S40 3HJ, telephone 01246 234381 or email: info@whitecotes.derbyshire.sch.uk