Local governance matters in our Trust. It is what ensures our schools are rooted in their communities. For children, staff, and schools to flourish and succeed, governance at all levels of the Trust must be highly effective. 

Our governors work closely with staff to help children achieve their full potential in a happy, caring environment. Local governing committees collaborate with the Headteacher and senior leaders to ensure the school is running effectively and in the best interests of all pupils. 

Our governors are representatives of all the key groups involved in our school – parents, staff, the local community, the Trust, and the Church. Some governors are appointed, while others are elected, ensuring a wide range of voices and perspectives are included. 

Governors come from diverse backgrounds and bring with them a variety of skills that support the school’s strategic leadership. They work in partnership with the Headteacher and Rise Multi Academy Trust to guide and shape the direction of the school. 

As part of the wider Trust board, our governors have delegated responsibilities which include: 

• Promoting high standards of educational achievement 

• Monitor targets and progress 

• Monitor that schools are working to their vision and values 

• Ensuring that all pupils, including those with special educational needs are able to thrive 

We welcome any interest in our work and if you would like to know more, have specific questions, or are interested in becoming a school governor then please do not hesitate to get in touch via the school office: office@waltham.risemat.co.uk

We are always keen to hear your views, so please feel free to contact any of us directly in person or via the school office; mark the 'subject' as FAO A. Butler PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL; put your correspondence in an encrypted attachment. Alternatively, post through the school letterbox marking the envelope FAO A. Butler 'PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL'. 

Meeting Dates :

10.9.2024

19.11.2024

11.03.2025

11.06.2025

New Governance Structure 2022-2023

From the start of the autumn term, our Governing Committee will merge with the Governing Committee of Redmile CE Primary School (one of our close partnership schools within our Executive Headship model) to form a Cluster Governing Committee or CGC.

The Board of Trustees have determined that a CGC may be formed when there is an executive leadership arrangement in place across two or more schools. In these instances, one governing committee has delegated oversight of all schools in the cluster. This avoids duplication of governance where CGCs are in operation. We believe that we will be able to carry out our roles and responsibilities as determined by the Rise Scheme of Delegation more effectively as a two-school CGC rather than a four-school CGC.

Our other two schools, Croxton Kerrial CE Primary School and Wymondham CE Primary School, have been working in a similar way for the past 3-years, as they have a shared Head of School which has worked very successfully so it made perfect sense for them to continue as a CGC. 

We have a Clerk to Governors who is paid to carry out administrative tasks for governor business. Should you wish to contact her please email ntyers@risemat.co.uk

Governor Profiles

Mrs Anna Butler (Chair of CGC)

I moved to Waltham with my family 6 years ago.  I have worked in education for 20 years; initially as a maths teacher and now as a member of the school improvement team for a multi-academy trust, overseeing outcomes and professional development. Prior to this, I was Vice Principal at a secondary school in Nottingham.  I am passionate about ensuring all children have access to a quality education that allows them to flourish and achieve their potential.  It is a privilege to be Chair of Governors at our school where this is achieved by a team of such dedicated staff. 

Reverend John Barr

We moved to Waltham in April 2017 from Great Malvern in Worcestershire, when I became Rector of the Ironstone Villages - a family of seven churches - at the same time as my wife Mary became Vicar in the Melton Mowbray Team. I am delighted to be involved with Waltham School which I look across at every day from the other side of the Melton Road! As a parent of two (now adult) children who both went to their local Church of England Primary School, I fully appreciate the value of a church school education in those formative years and the opportunities to build good community links. I look forward to continuing to work with others in developing the already strong links between school, church, and wider community, and to contributing in whatever way I can to the flourishing life and Christian ethos of this lovely village school.

Mrs Briony Cheeseman

My husband Ben and I moved to Waltham in 2013 from Reading to be closer to our family. We renovated our current house and live here with our two children.  Both our children now attend Waltham School and really love it. I wanted to get more involved with the school, so I became a parent Governor in November 2020. I currently work part-time as a Transport Planner in Nottingham, and I have previously worked for Sustrans. I have a keen interest in sustainable travel and developing sustainable travel habits. I am looking forward to working in partnership with pupils, parents, staff and other governors to support the school and help it grow.

Mrs Alexandra Wilson

I arrived in Waltham in early 2020 after spending a year in the Arctic, studying the effects of global warming and climate change in these regions, as part of an Arctic research project at UiT (the Arctic University in northern Norway).

However, prior to this, much of my working life has been spent in a variety of educational settings, including the University of Nottingham and twelve years as a residential housemistress at Eton Collage, Windsor.  I am now working locally in a supervisory capacity at Stapleford Park Country House hotel and I feel honoured to be able to serve as governor at Waltham school.

Mr Jamie Key

I live in Barkestone with my wife Kerry and our three children. Two of our children attend Redmile School and we expect our third will follow. We have lived in Barkestone for around 5 years and feel fortunate to be able to enjoy the benefits of the area.

I became involved as a governor of the school with the hope I can help contribute positively in the running of the school. In my professional life I am solicitor and would hope some of the skills from that role could help the school continue to flourish. 

Mrs Kate Willey

I have lived in Woolsthorpe by Belvoir for almost 5 years with my husband and little boy. My son attends Redmile School and absolutely loves it.  Professionally I work in the Arts, Choreographing for various shows and companies, facilitating and leading dance/drama workshops and classes to all ages and abilities. I also work as a character actor for various companies and events across the world. 

I am delighted to have been appointed as a Parent Governor at Redmile School allowing me to have an input into its future development and giving me the opportunity to support the school, it's teaching staff, pupils and parents. 

Mrs Joanne Berridge

I have lived in Barkestone with my husband Mark and two sons for just over three years. My eldest boy started Redmile school in September. I am a qualified doctor who specialised in Paediatric medicine for four years before taking a career break to have my boys. I still locum in Paediatric Accident and Emergency department when possible. I became a parent governor in October 2019 and am looking forward to helping support the parents and school. As my background is medicine, I am keen to develop the love of science and sustainability.

Mr Richard Bingham

Having moved to Redmile village recently, my family and I are keen to be involved in the local community. Professionally I have held various positions in enterprise software development over the last 25 years and have a long-standing passion for education of all types. I have some experience in primary school governance and am therefore very excited to be part of the team.

Mr Jamie Cope

I began my position as the Year 5 and 6 class teacher at Redmile CE Primary School 7 years ago, having studied Primary Education at Bishop Grosseteste University in Lincoln. During this time, I have developed skills beyond the classroom, leading English across Redmile and our Vale Cluster, completing both a Maths and Reading TRG and achieving the National Professional Qualification for Middle Leadership (NPQML) in 2022. Coming from a drama and musical theatre background, I have developed my participation across the school, singularly directing whole school and KS2 musical productions and am dedicated to the wider life of the school as the Wellbeing lead (for both staff and pupils) and Mental Health First Aider, ensuring our children receive the best possible outcomes, ready for life outside of Primary.

Our Cluster Governing Committee

Dates of Meetings 2024 - 2025

10/09/2024

19/11/2024

11/03/2025

11/06/2025