Governors | Asquith Primary School

Governors at Asquith Primary School

Our Governing Body

In accordance with the Government’s requirements the Governing Board has three core functions for our school, as set out in the 2014 Department for Education’s Handbook:

Setting targets and promoting high standards of educational achievement.
Setting the strategic framework within which the school operates.
Management of the school’s delegated budget.

Governor Mission Statement 2024/25

The Governing Body of Asquith Primary School aims to support the ethos of the school in providing a safe environment where achievement is high and every child is able to develop and thrive within a supportive atmosphere.

We will achieve this through both an active involvement in the daily life of the school, where appropriate, and by working closely with the school’s senior leadership team:

To set the strategic direction and appropriately challenging aims and objectives and support school leaders in achieving them through the establishment of the school Development Plan and careful monitoring of its implementation.
To agree policies, priorities and performance targets in order to achieve these objectives.
To receive evidence that these objectives are being achieved and challenge leaders where appropriate.
To ensure that the school sets and works within a sensible financial plan.
To ensure that all relevant statutory requirements are met.

The Governing Body will always act in the best interests of the school and its pupils. We will be prepared to explain clearly our decisions in an open and transparent way to staff, parents, pupils and others in the wider community and listen to their views.

We will be united in a common vision for the school shared by the Head Teacher in promoting the highest possible academic standards.

The Governors will act as a corporate body with integrity, objectivity and honesty in the best interests of the school and its pupils.

If you would like to contact the Governors, we politely ask that you do so by sending an email for our attention via the school office email: admin@asquithprimary.org.

Governor Code of Conduct

Governor Attendance

Annual Statement of Governance

Behaviour Principles Written Statement

Governing Body Constitution

Chair of Governors

Ms Michelle Robinson

SEND & Complaints

I have been associated with Asquith Primary School since 2014 when providing playwork services alongside the school, I then became a co-opted governor in February 2020.

I work as an Operations Director for two community interest companies which provide Early Education, Childcare and Forest School within the Leeds area. Within my role I am a designated safeguarding lead and work with Educators to provide unique approaches to learning. I have a keen interest in children developing lifelong skills and an inclusive education for all.

Co-opted Governors

Ms Paulette Bywater

Health & Safety

I have been a Governor at Asquith Primary since 2017, I initially served as a Parent Governor before being co-opted onto the Governing Body in 2021. With over 25 years of experience in local government, including 12 years in senior positions and eight years specialising in education, I bring a wealth of knowledge to my role. Both of my children attended Asquith Primary, and I actively participated in the school community, utilising its wrap-around provisions as a working parent. My background in HR Business specialises in education equips me to provide valuable insight and support to the school. I've witnessed firsthand the transformative power of a nurturing and inclusive educational environment under the former Headteacher and am dedicated to contributing to Asquith Primary's continued success.

Mr Lalit Suryawanshi

My son has finished his primary years at Asquith and now my daughter is at the school. I bring the following skills and experience as a Governor: Bachelor of Computer Engineering from VJTI, Mumbai; MBA from INSEAD; Vice President of Technology and Board member of INSEAD’s UK alumni association; 22 years of Experience working in technology field and the Co-Founder of Itechohealth (Med-Tech Company), speaker in medical technology forums, fund raise for company and managing product and technology team.

I am also a founder of Morley Indians Association; trustee of Leeds Hindu Temple; member of Morley Fairtrade Town comittee and board member of ‘Morley Town Deal board’ of Leeds Council overseeing £24.3 million investment. Chair of communication sub committee and Member of Education, Skills and innovation sub committee.

I am passionate about education and I strongly believe education plays an important role in person’s life. I am actively involved in engaging community in projects in Morley and wider Leeds area.

I am here to contribute to next phase of Asquith’s journey to maintain the excellent standards and makes Asquith the ‘school of choice’ for parents in the area.

Mrs Kathryn Nash

EYFS & Reading

I have had a long career in Primary Education. After completing a music degree and PGCE I started my first post as a class teacher in September 1976. When I retired I had completed seventeen years as a Primary Headteacher.

Since retiring my husband and I have enjoyed quite a lot of foreign travel. We have a grown up son and daughter and two young granddaughters.

We go walking regularly and I go to pilates and swimming which keep me moving-important as I enjoy knitting, sewing, crochet, reading and playing the piano-all done sitting down.

Mrs Helen Peirse

Curriculum

I joined Asquith Primary School at the beginning 2024 as a co-opted governor and I am looking forward to supporting everyone at school and contributing towards the school values.

I have worked in local government and private industry before joining Higher Education for quite a few years with a government funded widening participation project to support students who may not have a family history of going to university. I worked with universities, schools, stakeholders and partnerships across West Yorkshire. As a School Liaison Officer for Leeds City College, I worked in Further Education, having trained in Information, Advice and Guidance and again worked with schools across the whole of Yorkshire, offering information, advice and guidance to school students. They then had the opportunity to make informed choices about the best way forward for their education and future employment.

I have now retired and am looking forward to pursuing all my interests!

Ms Aisling Warr

Safeguarding, Pupil Premium & LAC

I have worked in education since 2005 and have always appreciated the support that governors have given to schools. I decided to repay that support to a local school and joined the Asquith Governing Board back in February 2023.

One of my areas of specialism is in Safeguarding and Pastoral Care and I am keen to lend my support to the Asquith Community in this realm first and foremost, but in any other way I can be of assistance.

Parent Governors

Mrs Deborah Baxter-Heyes

Vice Chair, Sports Premium Funding & Writing

I have been a parent at the school since 2018; I have 2 children in the school. I joined the PSA in early 2021 and I was so happy to be elected as a Parent Governor in November 2022. I am a Registered Mental Health Nurse and have specialised in Child and Adolescent Mental Health for the last 18 years and I believe that the foundation for a well rounded adult is good mental health support from a young age. I have extensive experience and knowledge around safeguarding, equality, diversity and inclusivity.

My passion is about ensuring that all children, no matter what, get the best start in life through their education journey and are supported to achieve to their own potential and to understand that ‘Equality is not about treating everyone the same, but recognising that individuals’ needs are sometimes best met in different ways’.

Ms Sima Patel-Gilpin

Attendance & Behaviour

Staff Governor

Miss Jess Hickling

Training & Development and Wellbeing

I have been a class teacher for the past 9 years working across schools in Leeds and leading EYFS and Early Reading. I love my job, particularly inspiring young minds. I joined Asquith Primary School in September 2023 and enjoy my role as staff governor. It is an exciting opportunity to make an impact on the whole school and be a voice for the staff.