Governors

On behalf of Leigh-ann Ogborne, our Chair of Governors, and the other members of the Governing Body, we would like to welcome all parents to our thriving and successful school.  We are proud to be associated with the children and staff of Westfields Junior School and believe that the children here receive an excellent education in a nurturing and happy environment. All Governors are appointed by the Full Governing Body, with the exception of the LA governor being appointed by the Local Authority.
We welcome contact from parents regarding any queries that you may have.

If you like to find out more about becoming a Governor, visit Hampshire Governor Services for information.

The Governing Body

 

Leigh-ann Ogborne
Chair

Date first appointed: 06/12/18   |   Term of office: 17/04/23 - 16/04/27   |   Co-opted Governor
Register of interests: Parent of a Westfields Federation pupil
Committees: Finance & Personnel, Staff Pay Review Panel, FGB Planning
Governor attendance 2024/25: 11/12   |   Governor attendance 2023/24: 12/13

How did I become a governor? – I saw an advert and thought I am sure that the skills, expertise, and knowledge from my working career are transferable and useful to support the school. Since embarking on this wonderful journey, I have never looked back. The joy of being part of the school community is a volunteering role I highly recommend.
Knowing that all the children are cared for, provide amazing opportunities to develop and grow both academically and personally is wonderful to see. Professionally I have a business studies degree and MBA, I have always worked in the pharmaceutical industry – yes, a million miles away from education! I have three children that keep me very busy and have thrived at their time through Westfields.

Jeff Jackson
Vice Chair

Date first appointed: 17/04/23   |   Term of office: 17/04/23 - 16/04/27   |   Co-opted Governor
Register of interests: None
Committees: Finance & Personnel, EHT Performance Review Panel, FGB Planning, Staff Discipline/Dismissal Committee
Governor attendance 2024/25: 9/10   |   Governor attendance 2023/24: 11/13

I joined Westfields Infant School Governing Body in 2010. I had previously served as a Governor at St. Peters CE Junior School for 13 years.
I am an Incorporated Electrical Engineer and had a 41year career in the NHS becoming a Director of Facilities.
Three of my grandchildren attended the Westfields and although they have moved on, I still enjoy helping to shape the education of young children during their very informative years

Ron Wilkes
Local Authority Governor

Date first appointed: 12/10/95   |   Term of office: 17/04/23 - 16/04/27   |  LA Governor
Register of interests: Grandparent of a Westfields Federation pupil
Committees: Finance and Personnel, Children and Learning, Assessment and Progress, Pupil Discipline, Staff Pay Review Panel
Governor attendance 2024/25: 11/19   |  Governor attendance 2023/24: 14/20

I have been a Governor for over thirty years, my children and now my grandchildren have attended Westfields, I am extremely proud to be associated with the school, its staff, and pupils not only for their achievement and ambition but for their commitment and standing in the community.
I believe in enhancing the values of discipline and mutual respect whilst embracing diversity and modern technology, opportunities, and advancements in education to prepare our children to take their place with confidence in this ever-changing world.
I am a consultant design engineer in the aerospace industry in semi-retirement among other things assisting with apprentice training helping to bring along the next generation in my industry.

Tim Hart

Date first appointed: 15/03/18   |   Term of office: 17/04/23 - 16/04/27   |   Co-opted Governor
Register of interests: None
Committees: Assessment & Progress, Finance and Personnel, EHT Performance Review, Pupil Discipline Committee, Staff Discipline/Dismissals Appeal
Governor attendance 2024/25: 13/16   |  Governor attendance 2023/24: 13/15

I retired from forty years in the teaching profession in 2016 having spent my final twenty years as a Headteacher at two primary schools.  My wife is also a former teacher, and both my daughters are also in the teaching profession.  With education in the blood, I take great pride in being involved with all aspects of the Westfields Federation and my particular focus is on Special Educational Needs and the attainment of each and every child.

Mark Gray

Date first appointed: 26/01/17   |   Term of office: 17/04/23 - 16/04/27   |   Co-opted Governor
Register of interests: None
Committees: Finance and Personnel, Pay Committee, EHT Performance Review Panel
Governor attendance 2024/25: 7/12   |  Governor attendance 2023/24: 10/12

I joined the Governing Body in 2017 when my eldest child was in year 5 and she’s now at Comprehensive School. I am qualified as an accountant working for a global recruitment company, whereby I collaborate globally, establish controls and support o strategy.
One of main highlights by being a Governor is seeing how the children develop in a supportive, collaborative and nurturing environment.

Helen Wilde

Date first appointed: 17/04/23  |   Term of office: 17/04/23 - 16/04/27   |   Co-opted Governor
Register of interests: Parent of a Westfields Federation pupil
Committees: Children & Learning, Staff Discipline/Dismissal Committee
Governor attendance 2024/25: 3/8   |  Governor attendance 2023/24: 2/9

I became a Governor at Westfields when my eldest son started reception. I greatly enjoy being a Governor, not only so that I can witness the children shine daily but also to contribute in some small way to the brilliant, insightful, fulfilling work that is carried out at Westfields Federation.
In addition to a Governor and personal assistant to my four children, I am a Solicitor specialising in property law. I deal with the legal aspects of buying and selling property whether be freehold or leasehold, together with assisting clients with re-mortgages, transfers of equity and lease extensions.

Annabelle Neilson

Date first appointed: 17/04/23   |   Term of office: 17/04/23 - 16/04/27   |   Co-opted Governor
Register of interests: Parent of a Westfields Federation pupil
Committees: Children & Learning, Pupil Discipline Committee
Governor attendance 2024/25: 8/8   |   Governor attendance 2023/24: 9/9

I joined the Governing Body in October 2021 just after my eldest started school. Outside of the Governing Body I am a solicitor specialising in high value mesothelioma and asbestos disease claims and I work closely with the medical professionals and charities in this field.
One of the highlights of being a Governor, particularly as a parent as well, is the opportunity to witness the enthusiasm and excitement of the children when they take part in assemblies and school activities.

Alan Furness

Date first appointed: 27/03/2024 | Term of office: 27/03/2024 - 26/03/2028 | Co-opted Governor
Register of interests: Grandparent of a Westfields Federation pupil
Committees: Children and Learning, Assessment and Progress, Staff Pay Review Panel
Governor attendance 2024/25: 11/12   |   Governor attendance 2023/24: 2/3

I am retired now, following careers in the Civil Engineering and IT Sectors. These encompassed a variety of roles and helped me develop a mixed set of skills, across technology, project management, consultancy, sales and marketing, and business development. I applied to be a Governor following a conversation at the school’s Christmas concert (yes, the ways of Governor recruitment are many and varied!).
With a highly committed staff at Westfields dedicated to delivering that vision, it is a pleasure to watch our children grow and thrive. Being able to play a part in supporting that work is frequently fascinating, occasionally challenging and highly enjoyable. It is a pleasure to be part of the Westfields team.

Sean Hatton

Date first appointed: 27/03/24   |   Term of office: 26/03/24 - 27/03/28   |   Co-opted Governor
Register of interests: Parent of a Westfields Federation pupil
Committees: Children and Learning
Governor attendance 2024/25: 5/8   |   Governor attendance 2023/24: 2/3

I have been teaching for 16 years and I am currently serving as an Assistant Head and Designated Safeguarding Lead in an all-through school in Reading. In my spare time I also coach Judo at 2 clubs in Wokingham.  It is my absolute pleasure to serve the Westfields community; I have a particularly keen interest in all things pastoral and safeguarding at the Westfields Federation and seeing that each child is being helped to develop their full potential.

Callum Field

Date first appointed: 12/12/24   |   Term of office: 12/12/24 - 11/12/28   |   Co-opted Governor
Register of interests: Parent of a Westfields Federation pupil
Committees: Children and Learning, Assessment and Progress
Governor attendance 2024/25: 5/9

I have worked in the charity sector for over nine years, a field that shares many similarities with the education sector. I am currently an Operations Director and a qualified Health & Safety professional. In my role, I lead teams across Safeguarding, HR, Finance, and Estate Management, and I was keen to use this experience to support The Westfields Federation.
As both a parent and a governor, I love being able to use my skills to support the incredible Westfields team. It is a pleasure to come alongside them—cheering them on, supporting them, and challenging them when necessary. Together, we work towards the shared goal of ensuring that every child can access the educational opportunities that set them up for a fantastic future.

Vicki Coady

Date first appointed: 19/12/25   |   Term of office: 19/12/25 - 18/12/29   |   Parent Governor
Register of interests: Parent of a Westfields Federation pupil
Committees: TBC

Mara Makunura

Date first appointed: 19/12/25   |   Term of office: 19/12/25 - 18/12/29   |   Parent Governor
Register of interests: Parent of a Westfields Federation pupil
Committees: TBC

Jo Redman
Executive Headteacher

Date first appointed: 01/09/16   |   Term of office: 01/09/16 - ongoing  |   Executive Headteacher
Register of interests: Member of staff
Committees: Finance and Personnel, Children and Learning, Assessment and Progress
Governor attendance 2024/25: 20/20  |   Governor attendance 2023/24: 21/21

As the Executive Headteacher of The Westfields Federation, one aspect of my role is to be a member of our governing body. However, prior to my appointment at Westfields, I have served as a staff governor in two other schools; one in Trafford and one in Surrey.
I thoroughly enjoy working with our governors to promote our vision and aims, plan the strategic direction and be held account for the performance of our schools. It is a privilege to collaborate with volunteers to make a difference to our school community on a day-to-day and long term basis.

Jo Wilson
Executive Deputy Headteacher

Date first appointed: 06/12/18   |   Term of office: since 05/10/17   |   Associate Governor
Register of interests: Member of staff with no voting rights
Committees: Children and Learning, Assessment and Progress
Governor attendance 2024/25: 8/8   |   Governor attendance 2023/24: 7/9

With my appointment as Deputy Headteacher in 2017, I also became an Associate Governor. Whilst I am not a Governor, I was appointed by the Governing Body to attend meetings due to the insight, contributions and expertise I have in my role as Executive Deputy Headteacher with responsibility for the curriculum and for assessment across The Westfields Federation.
It is a rewarding role where I have the opportunity to share the development of our curriculum, the successes of it, our next steps as well as provide information about our children’s attainment and progress. In my role here and in my previous school where I was Staff Governor, it is important to ensure that Governors have a voice from within the school and I very much enjoy sharing information and viewpoints to a Governing Body who are really invested in all aspects of the school, staff and children within it.

Heather Creelie

Date first appointed: 17/04/23   |   Term of office: 17/04/23 - 16/04/27   |   Staff Governor
Register of interests: Member of staff
Committees: Children and Learning, Assessment and Progress
Governor attendance 2024/25: 12/12   |   Governor attendance 2023/24: 12/13

I started my teaching career at Westfields Junior School in 2014 as an ECT and have taught across the school ever since.
When the school became a federation, I volunteered to sit on the Governing Body as I was excited to see how the schools could work together and I wanted to have the opportunity to contribute towards this.

Nicki Pagden
Clerk to Governors

Date first appointed: TBC
Register of interests: Federation School Business Manager

Bali Pereira
no longer serving

Date first appointed: 19/12/24   |   Term of office: 19/12/24 - 18/12/28   |   Parent Governor
Register of interests: Parent of a Westfields Federation pupil
Committees: Assessment and Progress, Children and Learning
Leaving Date: 18/12/25
Governor attendance 2024/25: 7/11

Mark Griffin
no longer serving

Date first appointed: 17/04/23   |   Term of office: 17/04/23 - 16/04/27   |   Co-opted Governor
Register of interests: None
Committees: Health and Safety Governor
Leaving Date: 01/12/2024
Governor attendance 2023/24: 7/12   |   Governor attendance 2022/23: 0/2