Meet the Governors
All governors serve a 4 year term, unless otherwise specified. All associate Governors have no voting rights unless otherwise stated.
Caroline Beattie - Chair of Governors
Co-opted, Chair of Teaching, Learning and Attainment
Caroline is a busy mum of three and works in a Sheffield school. Caroline's children all previously attended Arbourthorne Community Primary School. She has been actively involved in school governance since 2007 and serves as a Governor because she wants to have a positive impact on the education of children in her community. Caroline is committed to serving children and families and her commitment and expertise have been used to good effect. Her challenge and support have ensured Arbourthorne has secured a Good judgement with Outstanding since 2008.
Fiona Smith
Fiona works for the Local authority as a team leader for access and inclusion and was previously a senior learning mentor.
Julie Scott Whitehead
Julie has worked with the Local Authority as an Education Welfare Officer, as an attendance lead practitioner and as a school’s consultant. Julie is well respected in this field. She joined the governing body having been the school’s attendance officer previously with a good knowledge of the community and its needs. She utilises this expertise to support the school in challenging and securing strong attendance. She has an excellent knowledge of attendance systems which she uses to good effect. Julie is dedicated to supporting children living in challenging circumstances and has played an active role in delivering activities for children as part of our Life Skills offer.
Lisa Shackleton
Co-opted (parent), re-appointed 01/09/20
Lisa's children attended Arbourthorne Community Primary School and she initially became involved in school governance because she was keen to best understand the way in which her children's school operated and how she could support and challenging using her expertise working in the NHS. She enjoys using the skills acquired at work as a member of the governing body. Lisa actively engages in school self evaluation monitoring with a particular interest in core subject teaching.
Stacey Hunter
Co-opted (Health)
Stacey is a parent in school and works for the NHS. She is a former pupil of the school.
Melanie Biggs
Co-opted (Springs Academy)
Melanie is a senior leader at Springs Academy and teaches Science.
Vanessa Langley - Headteacher
Vanessa has been the Headteacher of Arbourthorne since 2008. Vanessa is the Chair of the locality Poverty Strategy and works with Learners First to deliver elements of the NPQ programme for aspirant Headteachers. She has been commissioned to support schools within and beyond Sheffield. In 2020 she was nominated by colleagues for an Inspirational Women of Sheffield Award and was the judges overall winner for services to children and families living in challenging circumstances. Vanessa leads on curriculum and innovation and her ambition to enhance the lives of children and families living in challenging circumstances which has been realised though a number of key projects such as the conversion of the caretakers property into a life skills house at Arbourthorne, developing the school as a community hub by working with external partners and funders and most recently with the University of Sheffield to develop Arbourthorne as the first Sheffield STEM Maker school to support South Yorkshire schools.
Lucy Hanson
Staff Governor, appointed 15/07/2020
Lucy is a teacher and is currently the SENCo and Teacher in Charge of Arbourthorne's Integrated Resource Unit. Lucy became a school Governor as she felt her expertise could be well used by the Governing Body. She provides a key link with other parent schools and the local Authority, attending SEND meetings, and providing input into local strategy through the IRU network in Sheffield. She is passionate about inclusive approaches and is a highly regarded practitioner.
David Connor
Associate Governor, appointed 16/12/2020
David was formerly the Deputy Director of Education for Derbyshire. He brings high levels of challenge and support to the schools. He recently became a Governor to share his expertise and experiences widely with the Governing Body and support it through its next transition period. He has over twenty years experience in teaching including Headships in three schools and university lecturing with a specialism in Early Years education. He is currently working with a number of Sheffield schools as an adviser for school improvement.
Adewale Ogunsanwo
Parent Governor
Adewale is the parent of a pupil in school.
Rebecca Gillot
Co-opted (Finance)
Rebecca is an accountant with CAPITA and uses this expertise with the Governing Body. Rebecca is also a parent of children in the school.
