Meet the Governors
-
Mrs Linden Best
Parent Governor - Chair
Linden is the Chair of the Governing board and is committed to supporting the staff, Governors and pupils at the school. She moved to Whimple in 2008, although she grew up in Devon, and has a daughter at Whimple School. Linden has always been interested in education, having worked as a primary teacher and as an Education Mentor for excluded children across Devon. In her spare time, she enjoys being part of a roller derby team.
-
Mrs Julia Green
LEA Governor -Vice -Chair/ Chair of Teaching & Learning Committee
Julia moved to Whimple in 1999 with her husband Richard, a former Governor at Whimple School.
She loves living in such an amazing village and contributing to Village Life - previously leading Orchard Harmony (ladies singing group) for 14 years.
Julia is a trained secondary school teacher, having worked in large comprehensive schools in Taunton, Exmouth and Exeter before retiring from teaching in 2012. Since retiring Julia has taught singing, led three local community choirs, and is currently volunteering for Hospital Radio at The R.D.and E. which she loves.
She is passionate about state education and providing the best possible learning experiences for all children.
In her spare time she enjoys cycling, singing and travelling.
-
Mrs Sue Turner
Co-opted Governor/ Chair of Finance Committe
Sue joined the Whimple Board of Governors in September 2021, initially performing the role of an Associate Governor. However in April 2022, Sue was appointed as a Co-opted Governor, and also became the Chair of the Finance Committee.
Sue moved into Whimple in August 2019.
Sue is a qualified accountant and tax practitioner, who retired from work in February 2021, with a view to getting more involved with the Whimple Community
Sue was a governor in Stratford upon Avon for many years and was Chair for 4 at the primary school where her 3 children attended. She now has 4 grandchildren.
Sue is a strong believer that every pupil should be given the best chance to achieve their full potential. And as a Governor it is her responsibility to help the school achieve this.
-
Mrs Carole Shilston
Staff Governor - Headteacher
After gaining a science degree Carole worked in the enzyme industry in Wales where she then re-trained to become a teacher. Before taking up a position at Whimple in January 1999, she taught at many local schools including All Saints Infants in Sidmouth, The Beacon in Exmouth and Ottery St Mary on short-term contracts and many others on a supply basis.
Since starting at Whimple, Carole has mainly taught Reception and Year 1. She completed an NPQH in 2009 and a Masters in Mathematics in 2011.
In her spare time she enjoys walking, swimming and going along to support the Exeter Chiefs.
-
Mrs Gail Martin-Davies
Co-opted Governor
Gail's own happy experience of a village school contributed to her wish to be a governor at Whimple. She lives in Whimple and thinks that the energy and enthusiasm coming from the school crosses generations and interests, and benefits the whole community.
Throughout Gail's adult life she has worked with children and families. For many years she was a local authority social worker, in child protection and with children in care. She now works with adopted children and their families and is particularly interested in the provisions for children with special needs.
-
Mr Digory Smith
Co-opted Governor
Digory moved to Devon 5 years ago after graduating from the University of Cambridge. Since moving here, he has been working for an education technology company based in Exeter. Whilst he does not live in Whimple, he is passionate about education and supporting the local community. In his spare time he enjoys playing hockey for Isca, a local team.
-
Mr Matt Brown
Staff Governor
Matt joined Whimple Primary School in 2012 following completion of his PGCE at Plymouth University. Since then, he taught for two years in Year Three and Four and more recently, in Years Five and Six.
Matt completed his undergraduate degree in English Language and Linguistics at the University of the West of England, Bristol and during this time was lucky enough to spend two summers coaching football across the North Eastern states of America. Here his passion for working with primary aged children really became apparent and it was this which inspired him to take on a career in teaching.
Matt's ethos in the classroom is to provide an environment where children are encouraged to take risks, achieve their potential and enjoy their time at school to maximise their learning.
-
Mrs Sarah Butler
Parent Governor
Sarah has lived in Whimple for 7 years. She has two daughters at Whimple school. She is passionate about education, supporting children to achieve to their potential. She works as a senior physiotherapist at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital. In her spare time she enjoys walking, gardening and cooking.
-
Mrs Vivien Craig
Co-opted Governor
Viv joined the Whimple Board of Governors in September 2021 as a Co-opted Governor. Viv also sits on the Finance Committee. Viv moved to Whimple in July 2020. She has always been interested in education, believing that children are the most precious treasure any community can possess. She worked for some years as a secondary science and maths teacher, in the UK and in the Caribbean island of Grenada, as well as working in the field of software development. Voluntary work with youth and children has always occupied a large part of her free time.
-
Mrs Helen Mitchell
Clerk to the Governors
clerk@whimpleprimary.co.ukHelen started working for the school as the Clerk to the Governing body in September 2020. As the Clerk it is Helen's job to ensure accurate minutes are taken at all meetings and that the Governing Body meets its legal requirements. Helen also works as the Lead Administrator for Whimple Primary and was keen to offer her administrative expertise to the governing body.
-
Mrs Carianne Bright
Ex - Parent Governor July 2022
Carianne and her family are new to the area, her Son has recently started in the reception class.
Carianne is the regional Operations manager of a national care provider, this includes care homes and supported living services. She is particularly interested and passionate about the support available to those with a learning disability and/or autism.
-
Mrs Helena Hastie
Ex Co-opted Governor - Chair of Finance and Resources Committee - April 2022
Helena is a mum of 4 children, 3 of whom are at Whimple School. Helena and her family have lived in Devon since 2012 and love being part of community life. Helena holds 2 Master of Science degrees and is a qualified bookkeeper. She brings her accounting experience to the Finance & Resources sub-committee.
| Name | Governor Category | Sub-Committee | Term Started | Term Expires | Appointed By |
| Mr Digory Smith | Co-opted | F&R | 17.09.20 | 16.09.23 | Governing Body |
| Mrs Vivien Craig | Co-opted | F&R | 20.09.21 | 19.09.24 | Governing Body |
| Mrs Gail Martin-Davies | Co-opted | T&L | 20.09.21 | 19.09.24 | Governing Body |
| Mrs Julia Green | LEA | T&L | 17.09.19 | 16.09.22 |
Local Authority
|
| Mrs Sarah Butler | Parent | T&L | 01.10.20 | 30.09.24 | Governing Body |
| Mr David Rose | Parent | F & R | 1.10.23 | 30.09. 27 | Governing Body |
| Mrs Linden Best | Parent | T&L/F&R | 11.02.20 | 11.02.24 | Governing Body |
| Mr Matthew Brown | Staff | T&L | 06.07.21 | 05.07.23 | Governing Body |
|
Mrs Sue Turner
|
Co-opted | F&R | 29.03.22 | 28.03.25 |
Governing Body
|
|
Mrs Carole Shilston
|
Headteacher | T&L/F&R | 01.09.16 |
|