The Woodlands School Board of GovernorS
How our Governors are elected
- All governors are elected to the Board by the Full Board membership.
- Parent Governors are proposed by the parent body and elected by parents if more than one parent is nominated.
- Staff Governors are proposed by the staff team and elected by staff vote if more than one staff member is nominated.
- Local Authority Governors are elected and agreed with the Local Authority.
- Trust Governors and Co-Opted Governors are elected by the Full Board of Governors.
Current Board of Governors
JASON CHARLES WILLINGHAM - CHAIR OF GOVERNORS and CHAIR OF FINANCE COMMITTEE - CO-OPTED GOVERNOR
Areas of Responsibility: Foundation Trust, Finance, Headteacher Performance Management, Life skills Curriculum (including English and Maths)
Member of: Appeals Panel, Finance Committee
Attendance for 2022/23: 6/6
Pecuniary interests: Parent of a child attending the school; Trustee of Plymouth North West Learning Trust;
Term of office: July 2023 - July 2027
Formerly a parent governor, Jason is the father of a Woodlands pupil. Prior to moving to Devon, Jason managed a team for RBS in London. He is now a wages clerk and carer for his son.
ANDREA SUSANNE HEMMENS - HEADTEACHER
Attendance for 2022/23: 6/6
Pecuniary interests: Trustee of Plymouth North West Learning Trust; Friends of Woodlands School
Member of: Finance Committee
Term of office: N/A
Andrea has worked in settings where learning presents challenges for over 30 years. She relishes the problem solving that this requires and is driven to see every child reach their potential. Andrea has been Headteacher at Woodlands School for 16 years and enjoys working on the multi-school Wood View site.
NICOLA JANE SLIGHT - VICE CHAIR - CO-OPTED GOVERNOR
Areas of Responsibility: SLT Deputies Support, Headteacher Performance Management, Foundation Trust, Sixth Form
Member of: Appeals Panel
Attendance for 2022/23: 5/6
Pecuniary interests: Parent of a child attending the school
Term of office: July 2023 - July 2027
Nicky is a trained pharmacist and previously worked as a manager in Boots. Her son is a pupil at Woodlands school. Her aim as a Parent Governor is to use some of her professional skills to see every child reach their potential.
JOHNSON WENNER - VICE CHAIR - LOCAL AUTHORITY GOVERNOR
Area of Responsibility: Headteacher Performance Management, Sensory Complex needs , Safeguarding and Vulnerable pupils (including LAC), Pupil Premium Funding Outcomes
Member of: Appeals Panel, Finance Committee
Attendance for 2022/23: 6/6
Pecuniary interests: None
Term of office: February 2022 - February 2026
Johnson is a qualified teacher, who currently works in a mainstream primary school within Plymouth. He has responsibility for leading Upper Key Stage Two and oversees the PE curriculum and the Educational Visits Coordinator role.
Prior to teaching, Johnson worked as a Cinema Manager; his day-to-day responsibilities focused on the operational running of the business, including health and safety, audit, finance, and HR matters. He also has a wealth of experience working as a Play Supervisor, running Playscheme settings for children with SEN and SEMH difficulties in South Wales, where he originally grew up.
DR JONATHAN HARVEY - FOUNDATION GOVERNOR
Area of Responsibility: Safeguarding and Vulnerable pupils (including LAC), Literacy and Numeracy, Premium Funding Outcomes
Member of: Pay Committee, Appeals Panel
Attendance for 2022/23: 5/6
Pecuniary interests: None
Term of office: July 2023 - July 2027
Jonathan is a lecturer in Education and research assistant at the College of St Mark and St John (MarJon) in Plymouth. He is programme lead BA (Hons) Special Educational Needs and Disability Studies.
DONNA MARGARET HOLLOWAY - STAFF GOVERNOR
Areas of Responsibility: Early Years, Parental Engagement, Staff Wellbeing,
Attendance for 2021/22: 2022/23: 5/6
Pecuniary interests: Member of Staff
Member of: Finance Committee
Term of office: January 2024 - January 2028
Donna has worked for Woodlands School for over 20 years, mainly concentrating on communication skills. She currently has a split role with communication and working pupils. Donna is an expert in deaf-blind communication and has Level 2 BSL.
TOBY OGDEN - CO-OPTED GOVERNOR
Area of Responsibility: Early Years, Health and Safety
Member of: Appeals Panel, Finance Committee
Attendance for 2022/23: 4/6 Joined October 2022
Pecuniary interests: None
Term of office: October 2022 - October 2026
Toby is a former member of staff who has now progressed to study for a degree in education and is currently undertaking his teaching qualification.
CHRISTOPHER DIXON - PARENT GOVERNOR
Area of Responsibility: Health and Safety, Parental Engagement, Life Skills Curriculum
Member of: Appeals Panel
Attendance for 2022/23: 3/6 (Joined January 2023)
Pecuniary interests: None
Term of office: January 2023 - January 2027
Chris spent 22 years in the Armed Forces and now works for the Kings Harbour Master. His daughter has been at Woodlands School for over 15 years. His aim as a Parent Governor is to use his accumulated knowledge as a parent of a child at Woodlands School to help give a parental and career perspective on decisions made, and to see that every child grows into a happy and content adult.
PETE JEWELL - PARENT GOVERNOR
Area of Responsibility: Sensory and Complex Needs Curriculum
Member of: Appeals Panel
Attendance for 2022/23: Joined July 2023
Pecuniary interests: Parent of a child attending the school; Pete is on the executive committee at Devonport Services RFC
Term of office: July 2023 - July 2027
Pete is a registered social worker and approved mental health professional and work out of hours. Alongside this he runs Armada Social Work services and manages 12 social workers across the South West of England. Both roles require me to be organised and adaptable. Pete has previous experience as a governor.
Pete has been a foster carer for 20 years, with extensive experience of caring for children with disabilities, including their current child who attends Woodlands.
If you would like to get in touch with our Governors, please do so via our Clerk to Governors at clerk@woodlands.plymouth.sch.uk or send your correspondence to the school address.
Former Governors
VICKY GREIG - Stepped down: July 2023
DIANE BYGRAVE - Stepped down: October 2023
