Meet The Governors

Governors of Woodcroft Primary School

Welcome to the Governor section of the school website. Here is a little of who we are and what we do.

Who are we?

A Governing Body is a group of volunteers whose job is to oversee the management of the school. Our Governing Body is a mixture of different skills and abilities. We consist of: The Headteacher, 2 parents, 1 staff member, 1 Local Authority representative and 4 other volunteers. Everybody on the Governing Body is there to help the school achieve the best results for its pupils.

What is our role?

We have 3 core functions as a Governing Body:

To ensure clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
To hold the Headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils and the performance management of staff
To oversee the financial performance of the school and make sure its’s money well spent

During these trying times, it is important that we do not forget the wellbeing of our staff and pupils. The performance of the staff during the COVID outbreak has been a testament to their commitment to the care and education of the pupils.

To ensure the school fulfills their role, as a Governing Body, we oversee a number of areas. Each Governor is given specific areas of responsibility for monitoring and reporting. Where possible we have moved our monitoring and meetings online via video conferencing, ensuring that we still cover all areas. We also meet as a Governing Body at least every half term: these meetings generally last no longer than 2 hours.

During the academic years of 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 there had been no SATS and more than half of the pupils had moved to remote learning. In spite of this, we still ensured that all pupils had access to education at the appropriate level.

As a Governing Body it is imperative to focus on the needs of the school. We continue to support the teaching staff to address the priorities oft he School Improvement Plan throughout regular monitoring and feedback at Governing Body meetings. The Governors’ task is to consistently ensure that the school achieves the highest possible standards and performance.

The school’s Senior Leadership are responsible for the day to day running of the school and they work hard to implement the Strategic Plans. It is the responsibility of the Governors to challenge and support the leadership in its provision of the best all round education for all the children.

If you are interested in becoming a Governor or wish to contact me, please ring the school office and leave your contact details. I will reply to you as soon as I can.

Mr Phill Hawkins

(Chair of Governors)

Phillip Hawkins Chair of Governors & Local Authority Governor

Phill Hawkins is the Chair of Governors at Woodcroft Primary School, where his passion for supporting both academic achievement and personal growth inspires his leadership. Married to Kirsty and a devoted father to two boys, Ryan and Callum, Phill’s dedication to education extends beyond Woodcroft—he previously served as a parent governor at his children’s school in Fareham. Alongside his role at the school, Phill continues his distinguished service in the Royal Marines, working with cadets and young people. He is committed to helping every child reach their full potential and is focused on maintaining Woodcroft’s recent Ofsted rating of ‘good’, with outstanding recognition for personal development.

Henry Bowles Vice Chair of Governors, Co-Opted Governor & Safeguarding Governor

As the school safeguarding governor, I take great pride in ensuring the school is creating and maintaining a safe and supportive environment where every child can thrive. My professional experience as a police officer has given me a deep understanding of the many risks children and young people face, from neglect and abuse to online exploitation and peer-on-peer harm. This insight is invaluable when working with school leaders to review safeguarding policies, support staff training, and ensure procedures are not only compliant but effective in practice. I regularly engage with the designated safeguarding lead (DSL), attend relevant meetings, and challenge where necessary to ensure safeguarding remains a top priority across all aspects of school life. My role goes beyond ticking boxes—I aim to be a proactive, knowledgeable presence who can offer real-world perspective based on frontline experience.

Being a father of a child in primary school education has further strengthened my commitment to this role. I understand the trust parents place in schools and the vital importance of knowing their children are safe, listened to, and protected. I consider the safeguarding governor role to be a very important in a governing body, and I take that responsibility incredibly seriously. Whether reviewing safeguarding audits, analysing incident reports, or simply being a visible presence in the school community, I am committed to making a positive impact. By combining my professional skills and personal perspective, I strive to help the school provide the safest possible environment for every child.

Barry Fanning Headteacher

As the Headteacher of Woodcroft Primary School since January 2018. Prior to joining Woodcroft I worked for 7 years at a large Primary school in Portsmouth progressing from an NQT to Assistant Headteacher. Before entering the teaching profession, I had worked in a Senior management position for a large international recruitment business – which provided me with a range of skills managing both people and budgets. I am focussed on providing the best opportunity for the pupils of Woodcroft supporting their academic and emotional development to ensure they are ready for the next steps in their education.

Kirsty Hawkins Staff Governor

Kirsty has been a member of the teaching staff at Woodcroft Primary School since September 2015, with experience across both Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. Throughout her time at the school, she has undertaken a variety of leadership roles, including English, Physical Education, and Computing, as well as being the EYFS and Key Stage 1 Phase Leader.

Currently, Kirsty is part of the Designated Safeguarding team and has responsibility for leading Early Reading and Phonics across the school. In September 2024, she expanded her contribution to the school community by becoming a Staff Governor. In this role, she is committed to supporting the school’s continued development, with a particular focus on Staff Development and Training, as well as Mental Health and Wellbeing.

Stacey Merrell Co-Opted Governor

I grew up locally and have strong ties to the community, which makes it a privilege to support the school as a governor. I am currently a Deputy Headteacher at a local infant school and have worked in education for many years. I am passionate about ensuring that all children receive the best possible education and opportunities to thrive both academically and personally. Being part of the governing body allows me to contribute to the continued success and development of a school that plays such an important role in its community.

Daniel Thomas Parent Governor

I’m Daniel Thomas and I’m a Parent Governor at the Woodcroft. I volunteer as I want to facilitate the continuous improvement of the school. My two daughters attend the school and are thriving. For my day job I’m a Chartered Quantity Surveyor.

Dave Reid Co-Opted Governor

Dave grew up in the local area and, having personally experienced the challenges of adapting from primary into secondary school, he understands the importance of strong support during key stages of education, and believes that school plays a vital role in preparing children for the real world ahead of them. Dave has a strong personal connection with Woodcroft School as the parent of a former pupil and currently serves as a governor at a SEND secondary school, where he has gained valuable experience in governance, strategic oversight, and ensuring accountability to pupils, parents, and staff.

Professionally, Dave works as a consultant and auditor and by combining his professional expertise with his personal experience as a parent, his aim is to contribute positively to the continued success and development of Woodcroft Primary School.

Mikey Driscoll Co-Opted Governor

If you would like to apply to become a school Governor, please complete the application below and return it to: clerk@woodcroft.hants.sch.uk

School Governor Application Form

For the full list of Governor Pecuniary Interests and the last academic years’ FGB attendance, please see the link below:

Governor Information 2022 2023

For the full list of Governor Roles and Responsibilities please see the link below:

Governor Roles And Responsibilities 2025 2026

For this current academic year, please contact the school office for an up to date attendance register.

If you would like to see a copy of the minutes and documentation from any Governors meeting, please contact the school office who can arrange this for you.

To contact a member of the Full Governorning Body please email governor@woodcroft.hants.sch.uk