Meet our Governors
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Linda Appleby - Co-opted Governor |
I have been a co-opted Governor since March 2022. I am an education adviser and I have spent my career as a teacher and leader in primary schools across the UK. I have been the Headteacher of four schools. I live locally and I am delighted to offer my time to Westdene School to help every child reach their potential. I am passionate about children receiving a fantastic primary education so that they develop a love of learning and will go on to thrive at secondary school and beyond.
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Sandra Cooke - LA Governor |
I am relatively new to the LA Governor role and currently in my first term. I have 20+ years’ experience and knowledge in the repairs and maintenance service working for the local authority. All my children have now left school and I wanted to help and support a school in a governing role as I now have the opportunity and time to do this. Since becoming a LA Governor I feel that this will be a worthwhile and rewarding role at Westdene Primary School.
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Judy Hawker – Vice Chair, Co-opted Governor, Chair of Curriculum and Standards Committee |
In a career based in education and languages spanning 40+ years, I have taught in primary, secondary, further and higher education, including 10 years as a Head of Modern Foreign Languages in three Secondary Schools. My love, however, of the primary age group bought me back to language teaching in Primary Schools and finally to the exciting post of Primary Languages Consultant in Brighton & Hove.
Outside the classroom I have held a variety of roles including Examinations Officer at the Institute of Linguists, International Relations Officer in local government, and Research Officer at the National Foundation for Educational Research.
My family moved to Sussex in 1999 and I started my association with Brighton & Hove teaching at Patcham Special School, before joining Westdene to set up the Primary French Department. When I took up the post of Primary Languages Consultant in the authority I remained involved in the school as a Governor, and working in the former Westdene Teaching School.
My contributions to the Governing Body are focussed on the Curriculum, School Improvement, and in-depth knowledge of the Local School Community.
My leisure interests are cruising the canals on the family narrowboat, travel, tennis, reading and choral singing.
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Katy Majumdar - Co-opted Governor |
I love being a Governor at Westdene. I enjoy being a part of somewhere that gives every child the opportunity to be the absolute best that they can be. I am trained as a primary school teacher and have taught from Years 2-7 in both Brighton and Hove and West Sussex. My areas of responsibility were primarily Mathematics, Assessment and Curriculum Development. I left full time teaching after the birth of my second child. I have two daughters currently at Westdene and also completed one of my teaching practices here over twenty years ago! I currently work as a supply teacher for the school.
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Az Naeem - Co-opted Governor |
Awaiting information...
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Lisa Hagon |
I am currently the acting Co-Headteacher here at Westdene School. I am also the Designated Safeguard Lead and the Pupil Premium Champion, amongst other roles I hold here at Westdene.
I have been teaching for over 30 years. Over that time, I have never experienced two days that are the same, this is one of the factors that makes teaching such an interesting and wonderful career. I have taught in all year groups from Reception to Year 6, this has given me such a fantastic all round view of our school.
I love learning from the children and adults around me. It is never too late, in my opinion, to teach old dogs new tricks! I have been on the Governing Body at various times over my career and enjoy being part of a great team who actively help move our school forward in such a positive way.
It is a real privilege to work here at Westdene School, to be part of a team helping to shape children as they move through their education.
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Jenny Stratton |
Awaiting information...
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Simrit Bagshaw - Parent Governor |
As a Parent Governor with a child in Key Stage 2 at Westdene, I am deeply committed to supporting the school community. With over 20 years of experience in teaching, I am a qualified PE teacher who moved to Brighton in 2007 to take on subject leadership. I later progressed to leadership roles, including responsibility for pastoral care and school data, and currently head up careers at a local secondary school. I am passionate about developing the whole child, ensuring that students thrive both academically and personally. Outside of education, I have a keen interest in sports, playing netball, cycling with my family, and enjoying running—usually with a friend!
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Emily Goodwin - Parent Governor |
I have been a Science teacher for over 17 years, working in a variety of schools (primary and secondary; private and state-maintained) in the UK, South Korea and New Zealand. I am passionate about every individual having the opportunity to thrive in a happy, supportive and stimulating environment.
As a member of the Friends of Westdene committee and parent governor, I am particularly enjoy sitting on the Community Liaison committee within the governors, helping ensure strong communication and understanding between the school and it’s community.
I moved to Brighton after the birth of my first child. Wanting to give some time to volunteering to enrich the community my children are growing up in (Friends of Westdene, Girlguiding, Scouting and now as a Governor), I chose not to return to teaching in schools and now have a very rewarding job teaching students with medical needs one to one.
I am a keen runner and cyclist and am keen to support the school in encouraging healthy, well rounded lifestyles for children.
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Charles Haywood – Chair |
With a background in Property and Construction I was co-opted onto the Governing Body primarily to chair the premises committee. This subsequently included liaising with the Local Authority, School, and builder to deliver the new extension.
When a vacancy arose I then became Chair of Governors and am currently in my second term of office.
I enjoy working with a dedicated team of staff and governors who are committed to offering such a wide range of curricular and extra-curricular opportunities that create an inclusive and motivating learning environment
I am the Foundation Stage Leader at Westdene. I have worked at Westdene for over 10 years. During my time at Westdene I have built up a wealth of experience leading the EYFS and teaching in both nursery and reception. I have led EYFS and Year 1 for several years and am a member of senior leadership. As a practitioner, leader and school governor, I believe excellent early years teaching and pedagogy can impact positively on all children's futures. The early years phase is my passion and I have enjoyed many opportunities to work with other practitioners who work in this unique phase. I am currently seconded as the Early Years Specialist for the Education and Standards Team at Brighton and Hove City Council. In this post, I offer support, consultancy and guidance to schools across the city. |
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Phil McDonald - Co-opted Governor |
Having served 2 terms as a Parent Governor, I’m very pleased to continue supporting the school as a Co-opted Governor, now that my son has moved to Secondary School. My passions are Maths, Science, DT and Music, and I’m also an advocate for vocational careers. I have spent my career in Horticulture and continue to fully support the school in regards to the Forest School provision, the allotment/practical Science provision and environmental ethos of Westdene Primary.