Governors' Pen Portraits
MR P EMMETT - Chair/Designated Governor for DISADVANTAGED LEAD
I have been a parent governor, and now rejoin the LGB as a Community Representative and am excited to continue in this capacity with the Academy and the Trust. Both of my children also currently attend Huntingtower.
For the last 12 years I have worked in and around Grantham in local schools - including Huntingtower Primary Academy - as a peripatetic music teacher working one-to-one with pupils as well as in some larger and whole class groups. In addition to this, I’ve had a variety of other jobs from cocktail making, to harvest sampler!
Over the past few years since the majority of my work stopped during the pandemic I decided to return to education myself and am currently on a course at the University of Nottingham studying music composition and conducting. I volunteer as a peer mentor and a mature student mentor, helping other students with any issues they may have while at university and sit on the Music Department Learning Community Forum as co-chair.
Continuing in the LGB my experience as a Governor will be invaluable and I will continue to build on my knowledge and continue to put my other experiences to use in the role. I am passionate about education and look forward continuing to work with the LGB and the school.
MR J Aspden - Parent Governor
MR S PLATTS - COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVE/DESIGNATED GOVERNOR FOR CAREERS LEAD
I have two children that attend Huntingtower, and I’m passionate about the education of the pupils within the school. I come from a background where culture and ethos are massively important, and therefore feel I can make valuable contributions in line with the school’s values and behaviours.
I am a bank manager, currently looking after a team of colleagues that are supporting customers through financial difficulty. In my role, I am constantly looking for continuous improvement across a matrix of different areas, including budgeting, profitability, impact on the local community, risk management, and networking, all of which are relevant in an education setting.
I have a keen interest in all things digital, and understand the importance of digital presence in the evolving world we live in, whether this is in the classroom, business or at home. I understand the importance of educating children around being safe online, and have delivered ‘safer internet’ discussions at local primary schools.
With a naturally curious, analytical mind, high level of enthusiasm and problem-solving ability, I’m able to act as a challenging friend to the governing body and academy by bringing my own experiences and perspectives to the board.
MR JON CLACK - COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVE/DESIGNATED GOVERNOR FOR SAFEGUARDING
I am an experienced primary school practitioner with headship experience for 15 years. I have been a Governor/Trustee of a primary and secondary school since 2011. I currently support a number of schools through my roles at Inspire+.
MR M WENTWORTH - COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVE
My career in education comprised 29 years headship, including Huntingtower for over 20 years.
I have always had a passion for the delivery of equal opportunity for all.
I strongly believe in the inclusion of pupils with additional needs in the mainstream setting, whenever possible.
From 1998 onwards I was a regular participant of Lincolnshire Statementing Panel which served to determine appropriate support for pupils in a range of setting of settings. This gave me a wealth of opportunity to visit a variety of schools both mainstream and special. Consequently, in 2006 I was invited to manage Garth Special School, Spalding as an Interim Headteacher for the summer term prior to my full retirement.
In 2006, I began a 5-year period of part-time teaching at HMP Stocken. I focussed upon teaching inmates basic skills: many of whom had been failed by the school system.
IN the last 10 years I have enjoyed the opportunity to jointly develop a charity, Foxdale Equine Assisted Learning in Oasby. I am a founding Trustee and a Volunteer Support Worker. The charity supported numerous clients from school age with additional needs, through to senior citizens with Dementia.
I am pleased to make a contribution to the Priory Federation of Academies Trust, as a Governor at Huntingtower CP Academy.
MRS V STEPHENSON - STAFF GOVERNOR/DESIGNATED GOVERNOR FOR SEND
I have been a teacher at Huntingtower since 2014, having completed a PGCE after a career in retail.
I have been involved in school governance for over 15 years having previously been a governor for a local nursery school.
My family and I have lived in Grantham since 2005 and my 2 of my 3 children attend local Secondary schools.
I have been a staff governor for over 5 years.