Our Governors

Governor Pen Portraits

Anna Dalton

I am a parent governor and a mum to three children, two of which are currently at Westacres. As a primary trained teacher and Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator, I have a strong belief that all children should be able to access an inclusive education, enabling every child to learn, grow and reach their full potential. I am keen to contribute to the future of the school, support staff and represent views of parents. I look forward to being part of supporting Westacre School to continue to provide a high level of education to our children.

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Lucy Rook
I’m a Founder and Director in both the fashion and media industries. I’m also a trainer who coaches all of the BBC's editorial apprentices across the UK. Discreet Bowtique is an online fashion store for breastfeeding mums. BlackRook Media is a broadcast and production consultancy. 

 

Bhavisha Patel

It’s important for me, not just as a parent, but a person living within our community, to ensure that our children are safe, happy and have the confidence to grow and have the best start to their lives. Every child should be made to feel as equal as the child sat next to them. No child should feel excluded and it’s up to us, to help make this happen. Therefore, I’m privileged to have been selected as a co-opted governor for Westacre Infant School where I can contribute to shaping the educational lives of our children. I’m a Senior Business Analyst by profession, working on Change and Transformation programmes within different sectors. I’m motivated and passionate by changes that have a positive impact to all aspects of life, especially children, so I look forward to the journey in shaping our school.

 

Ajay Patel

I believe education of our children is a vital key to their positive development and growth, and in turn this is reflected on to society and the environment we create for their wellbeing. The importance of these formative years that the children go through cannot be underestimated, therefore the progression and development of the school is paramount to the positive growth of the children.

 

It is a privilege to have been selected a parent governor, and to fulfil a position where I can have a positive influence and allow me to make a difference. It allows me to give back to the community what a good education has taught and provided me with. I'm a construction professional by trade, responsible for the estimation and management of costs on projects in the preconstruction phase up to financial close.

 

Education is a cornerstone in the foundations of life, and to be able to contribute to this and help shape children’s futures at Westacre Infant School is a journey I look forward to being a part of.

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Cassie McCalliog 

I joined the Westacre governing board in September 2022 as a co-opted governor. I am a teacher in a local primary school and lead the Early Years Foundation Stage.  I am a specialist in early years and also a moderator and have worked supporting other local schools.  I believe a child’s early years are the foundation for his or her future development, providing a strong base for a lifelong love of learning. I hope my skill-set and experience in early years can bring something valuable to the board here at Westacre.   I am a mom of two daughters.  My youngest has just started college and my eldest is at university in New York.  I believe strongly in the core ethos of Westacre Infant School and I am committed to supporting it to provide the best possible experience for all its pupils and staff. 

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Emma Guest

I am the Deputy Headteacher and Year 1 teacher at Westacre Infants and have been a Primary Teacher for over 30 years! I am married and am a Mum to twins – Luke and Adam. I am very proud of both them and their achievements. Luke is a Vet (very useful when our cat is sick!) and Adam is an Engineer.

I am passionate about ensuring that our school is fun and exciting place to be – where everyone feels happy, safe, valued and respected and we can ‘learn and grow together’. I lead on Maths and Pupil Premium within school as well as being the Curriculum Leader and part of our Governing Board. It is a privilege to come to work each day and have the opportunity to be part of the Westacre team. At Westacre, we strive to ensure that everyone has the opportunities, experiences, support and drive to be the best that they can be.

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Gurdip Sangray

I have recently become a governor and I am so grateful to have the opportunity to help shape the future of the school so that the children have the best possible experience both academically and socially.

As a mom of two these are so important to me when I think of my own boys and their journey.

I work in customer services and have also volunteered as part of The Children’s Society which requires understanding and empathy, traits that I will bring to the role in the hope of making a difference.

 

Link Governor Roles 

We have each been appointed a Link Governor role for this academic year which will help us to plan and focus our school visits on certain areas. The Link Governors for this year are:

 

Safeguarding/Child Protection: Anna Dalton, Bhavisha Patel and Poonam Panesar

Early Years: Bhavisha Patel and  Cassie McCalliog

SEND: Anna Dalton

Reading and Writing: Lucy Rook

Maths: Ajay Patel and Gurdip Sangray

Health & Safety: Lucy Rook

Pupil Premium: Ajay Patel

Attendance and Wellbeing: Cassie McCalliog and Poonam Panesar

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