All schools in England have a Governing Body which is responsible for overseeing many of the strategic decisions of the school. A key role is to act as a ‘critical friend’: to support, to challenge, to ask questions and ultimately, to represent the school community.

The Governing Body works in close partnership with the headteacher, staff and the Academy Trust. Whilst the headteacher is responsible for the day to day running of the school, the governors are involved with teaching and learning.

Governors’ meetings are held once a term where governors monitor and evaluate the standards of teaching and learning and the impact that the school makes on children’s achievement and attainment.  The Governing Body monitors how the school ensures that we achieve our national and locally set targets and the targets that we set ourselves.

Carly West-Burnham (Chair of Governors) - Trust Appointed - Carly has recently been appointed as the Chair of Governors at Gaywood Primary.  Her desire to be involved with the school stems from the belief that all stakeholders have a role to play in ensuring that all children get the best education and opportunities whilst at school to enable them to grow, develop and reach their potential.  Carly has two daughters currently in the school and lives and works locally.

Peter Cuss - Trust Appointed Governor - Peter currently works at Springwood High School at a Head of Year and Teacher of Music. During his eight years of working in a secondary school environment, Peter has been a part of the primary to secondary transition process and has experience of leading a year group from Key Stage 3 to Key Stage 4.  

Neil Mindham - Executive Headteacher - Neil has several years of experience working in senior leadership roles in a variety of primary settings, including an executive position over three schools within the West Norfolk Academies Trust.  Neil has been Headteacher of Gaywood Primary since October 2017 and has recently taken on the role of Executive Headteacher leading Gaywood Primary and supporting other schools across the trust.

Vicky Matkin - Parent Governor - Vicky currently works for West Norfolk Academies Trust as an Human Resources Assistant. Previous to her current position, Vicky worked for 24 years as a Manager in the retail industry.  Vicky became a governor at Gaywood Primary as she believes every child deserves the same opportunities regardless of their personal circumstances and that children can excel with the right motivation and support.  Vicky's daughter is a pupil at Gaywood Primary School.

John Sinclair - Parent Governor - John is an experienced Avionics/Electrical maintenance supervisor.  His experience includes 3 years of in-depth electrical component fault diagnosis and maintenance of aircraft replaceable units and the establishment of a dedicated Quality & Continuous Improvement Team. John's two daughters are both pupils at Gaywood Primary School.

Lara Wardill - Staff Governor - Lara has extensive experience working in primary school settings supporting the mental health of children.  She is a qualified Designated Safeguarding Lead and attendance officer and has worked at Gaywood Primary for four years.  Lara holds the position of Mental Health Lead and is a leading force in supporting the social, emotional and mental health of our school community.

Nicki Gay - Clerk

The Clerk to the Governors is Miss Nicki Gay

If you wish to contact the Governing Body, please address any correspondence to her or the Chair of Governors via the following:

FAO Miss N Gay
Clerk to the Governors
Gaywood Primary School
32 Field Lane
Gaywood
King’s Lynn
Norfolk PE30 4AY

Telephone: 01553 774147
Email: n.gay@wnat.co.uk

Please click on the links below to view the up to date Governor Documentation:

• Governor Overview of Membership 2023-2024
• Governor Overview of Membership 2022-2023
• Governor Overview of Membership 2021-2022
• Governor Overview of Membership 2020-2021
• Governor Overview of Membership 2019-2020  
  Including Responsibilities, Relevant Interests and Attendance

Responsibility for all the academies that make up West Norfolk Academies Trust and for providing education in those academies is entrusted to the Board of Trustees.

The Board of Trustees have overall accountability for all the schools within the trust and manage all finances (including audits), premises and personnel areas, via subcommittees. Work is also delegated to our local governing body, whose assistance is greatly valued and supported by the Trustees.

For further information on our Board of Trustees, visit the West Norfolk Academies Trust website, Governance Page. 

Information on becoming a Governor at this school, or any other school within West Norfolk Academies Trust can be found in the  Become a Governor at WNAT leaflet. 

To register your interest in this School, or any of the other schools within the trust, please fill in the 'Become a Governor' form here.