Governors – Wickersley School and Sports College

Governing Body

A message from the Chair of Governors

The Local Governing Body works alongside the senior leadership team to support the continuous improvement of Wickersley School and Sports college to provide excellent education and support to all our students.

Governors join the school community in following the ‘Wickersley Way’ and are committed to ensuring every student leaves Wickersley ‘able and qualified’.

It is a privilege to be part of the Wickersley Community.

Anna Lidster

Chair of Governors

Our Governing Body is…

Anna Lidster

Chair of Governors

I work for the Sheffield Community Learning Disability service, I first became a parent governor at Clifton Community school and was Chair of governors at Clifton for 8 years supporting school improvement and Clifton”s journey to become a good school.

I became Chair of Governors at Wickersley in September 2021, after supporting the IEB as Vice Chair. I am passionate about school governance and the role it plays in raising standards and ensuring that all students gain an outstanding education that not only equips them academically but also provides students with new experiences and with the social skills they need to become outstanding adults.

It is a privilege to be a part of Wickersley School and Sports College

Lisa Teather

Vice-Chair, Co-Opted (Parent)

I am a parent governor here at Wickersley School and Sports College. I have a wealth of experience in education and have been a secondary school teacher for 20 years.

I have two children currently on roll at Wickersley and I’m fully committed to ensuring all students get the best experience at Wickersley to provide them with the skills they need to be successful in life.

Catherine Tunnard

Support Staff

I began my career in education working for a local primary school as an HLTA after I had finished my degree at university. I stayed at the school for a few years and then finally made the move to Wickersley in 2012.

I am fully invested in the school and the ethos it promotes. I feel grateful to have the opportunity to be a school governor as I am passionate about ensuring students receive the education and support they thoroughly deserve.

Darren Finch

Teaching Staff

I began my teaching career at Minsthorpe Community College, South Elmsall in 2005 and I then joined Wickersley School in 2008. My desire to be a staff governor stems from a strong commitment to our student’s well-being and I have a genuine interest in ensuring that each student receives the best possible education and support. As a staff governor, I will endeavour to support our headteacher to shape the school’s vision and values, ensuring it remains focused on delivering high-quality education and fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment for all students.

Tony Hardcastle

Headteacher

Joshua Bartle

Co-Opted

I began my teaching career at Rawmarsh Community School in 2019 as a teacher of French and Spanish. I then moved to Clifton Community School in 2022 as Assistant Headteacher.

Having been a part of Wickersley Partnership Trust for 5 years, I feel I understand and contribute towards the WPT vision of sending all students into an ever-changing world able and qualified to play their full part in it.

The opportunity to become a member of the governing body at Wickersley School and Sports College is one which was of great interest to me, as it allows me to have an even greater insight into the steps taken at WSSC to ensure the school continues to improve on a yearly basis.

Lisa Carpenter

Co-opted

I work for a leading Internet Service and Communications Provider as a Manager within the Operations Department. My role and my teams role is to manage the business installation activity with our installation engineers on the day of install and assist with the resolution of any associated faults to ensure a right first time delivery for our business customers. I have worked for my current employer for 23 years and have over 30 years experience of both operational and people management.

Education is of paramount importance in the journey towards achieving your goals within life and employment. It provides the foundation skills and building blocks that we all need to succeed.

Contact the Chair of Governors

To get in touch with Anna Lidster, Chair of Governors, please email alidster@wickersley.net.

What does the Governing Body do?

The work of the Governing Body is carried out for one purpose only: to give the children the best possible start in their school life, by providing the finest in terms of the education they receive. The Governing Body is made up of the Headteacher, and members of the school community and wider Wickersley Partnership Trust where possible.

The Governors work closely with the Headteacher and meet regularly. Decisions are democratic, with all governors being given as much information as possible to aid them in that decision-making process, ensuring lively often lengthy and healthy discussions prior to decision making. Their work is focused around teaching and learning and in ensuring the school is offering the best possible values for its pupils. The position of school governor is a voluntary one, but it demands a high level of commitment, both in time and responsibility, as the decisions made directly affect the children.

The Governors have legal duties, powers and responsibilities, they can only act together, they cannot act as individuals.

Governors are appointed to help:

Decide what is
Set standards of
Agree targets for continual school
Interview and select
Monitor and engage with teaching and learning

School Governors can be:

Parents
WPT members
Community

Become a School Governor

INSPIRE. CHANGE. DEVELOP.

Wickersley Partnership Trust consists of a group of thirteen Primary and Secondary schools predominantly in Rotherham. The children and young people it serves are aged from three to eighteen and total almost seven thousand! Each school is supported by its own community based Local Governing Body made up of parents/carers, local community representatives and businesses.

Schools across the country require people to volunteer as Governors on their Local Governing Bodies. Despite the fact that an estimated 250,000 people volunteer in this way each year, there is still a shortage.

So, why not give back and help give children and young people the best start in life, whilst developing your own skills in a way which can benefit your career. We like to think of it as a win-win situation!