Our Governors
Our Team of Governors
Welcome to our Governors' page. The aim of this page is to inform parents of the structure and remit of William Levick's Governing Body and how the Governing Body functions for the benefit of the School.
The School Governing Body includes representatives from parents, staff, members of the local community and Derbyshire County Council Education Authority. The Governing Body plays a largely strategic role together with the Senior Leadership Team of the School and is keen to see educational standards continually improving in the School, in line with government standards and targets. In addition, the Governors scrutinise the work of the School, particularly the standards of achievement, to ensure the School is effectively educating the pupils in line with Governor approved School policies and preparing them for their futures.
Governance of the School is conducted with a Full Governing Body, including all Governor representatives. The Full Governing Body is supported by two Sub-Committees, which include 'Resources' and 'Curriculum & Standards'. The Full Governing Body and Committees oversee the effective leadership and management of the School.
Our Governors (ID 1077)
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Mr John HigginbottomChair of Governors
Mr John Higginbottom
My name is John Higginbottom and I have been a Governor since 2011, and Chair of Governors since 2015.
Over the past 30 years, I have held senior leadership posts in both the private and public sectors and bring a wealth of experience and skills to the Governing Board, in the area of Business Strategy, Resource Management, Transformational Change, and Leadership.
I have a good understanding of how schools function and are governed, as I have been supporting and working with schools for over 15 years.
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Mrs Helen PickupParent Governor (Vice Chair)
Mrs Helen Pickup
My name is Helen Pickup and I am a parent governor, appointed in 2016. I have 2 children at William Levick.
For the past 16 years I have worked for HSBC in IT and have worked in various roles within the bank from Programming to Project Manager. My current role is working as part of a small team providing governance of a multi-million budget for upgrading the bank's IT systems.
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Mr Toby PochronAssociate Member
Mr Toby Pochron
My name is Toby Pochron, I am an associate governor and I joined the governing body in 2018.
I am a corporate employment law solicitor and work at a law firm based in Sheffield. My role on the governing board is focussed on data protection compliance and I am the school’s Data Protection Officer.
I have four sons, three of which currently attend William Levick and I hope the youngest will join in the future too.
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Mr Simon TempleAssociate Member
Mr Simon Temple
My name is Simon Temple and I am an associate governor of William Levick Primary School, with special interest in Health and Safety and EYFS.
I have been associated with the school since 2003. I am retired although still act occasionally as a consultant in the science industry. I am the Deputy District Commissioner for Scouts in Dronfield, run a ukulele group and I am an active member of Dronfield Baptist Church. -
Anna NewbyRemote Governor
Anna Newby
I'm Anna Newby and I live in London and so have a remote governor role at William Levick. I work in business development for an international law firm, which enables me to bring skills in marketing, communications and budget management to my role with the school.When not working, I enjoy running (slowly!) and visiting family and friends across the country. I have one son in Y2 at a local school and another who is a few years off starting school yet. They keep me very busy! -
Ms Ruth LucasCo-Opted Governor
Ms Ruth Lucas
My name is Ruth Lucas and I was appointed as a co-opted governor in July 2021 and am currently the curriculum link Governor.I work as a lecturer at the University of Nottingham, teaching on the Masters in Public Policy and the Masters in Public Administration. My PhD from the University of Sheffield and my own research concentrates on strategic management in the public sector, with a particular focus on leadership and skills development in social housing. I have a background in national and international politics, strategy development and policy, negotiating and lobbying.In my spare time I love going to the theatre, silversmithing and taking my dog for walks. -
Mrs Rebecca KeenAssociate Member
Mrs Rebecca Keen
I am Becca and am associate governor here at William Levick. I have a little boy who is currently in year 1 here and loving it.I am a year 3 primary school teacher at a local school just across the border in Sheffield and have been teaching for ten years.When I am not teaching or being a mum I love sewing and building big Lego kits!
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Mrs Helen PeckettInterim Head Teacher
Mrs Helen Peckett
I am currently interim headteacher at William Levick and a key part of the governor team. I have worked at William Levick Primary School for the past 10 years and have several additional roles, such as DSL, leading science and I am mentor to our ECTs.
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Mrs Emma YoudanStaff Governor
Mrs Emma Youdan
My name is Emma Youdan and I am a staff governor. I have worked at William Levick for a number years as a Teaching Assistant and Higher Level Teaching Assistant providing cover for classes across all Key Stages.
All three of my children have attended the school, but have now moved on to Dronfield Henry Fanshawe School.
,TBC
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Ms Sue Millward,Clerk to Governors & Senior Business Officer
Ms Sue Millward,
My name is Sue Millward and I am delighted to be the Clerk to Governors for William Levick Primary School. I am the Senior Business Officer for the school and can be found in the school office. I am also the Paediatric First Aider for the school and regularly have the opportunity to interact with our lovely children and parents/carers.
,TBC
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Jo DavisCo- Opted Governor
Jo Davis
I'm mum to Lucy who is in Year 6, I became a governor in 2024.I have been an active part of the school community since Lucy started in foundation as I am a PTA member. I'm a HR manager (although currently enjoying a career break). -
Ashley SandallsCo- Opted Governor
Ashley Sandalls
I'm Ash Sandalls, and I am a parent governor, appointed in 2024. I have one daughter at the school.I have a background in Finance, working for 12 years for Vodafone across a range of commercial finance and finance data roles. More recently, I have been working for Capgemini, a global data and technology consultancy, working with private and public sector companies on data strategy, analytics and management projects. -
Mrs Jennifer SmithDeputy Head Teacher & SENDCo
Mrs Jennifer Smith
My name is Jenni. I am the assistant head teacher at William Levick. I teach in foundation Stage and have a passion for teaching in the early years. I am EYFS and KS1 leader and also the school's SENDCo and one of the DSLs. I have worked at William Levick for 5 years and love working for such a wonderful team.
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Jonny PearceCo-Opted Governor
Jonny Pearce
Hello, I'm Jonny Pearce; I'm an associate governor at William Levick. I joined the school's governing body in 2024 when my daughter started school. My son will also hopefully be attending in a few years' time.
Over the last 10 years I've worked in local government and am currently a Digital and Technology Programme Manager at Sheffield City Council.
I've some background in education, and have a PGCE in Secondary Modern Foreign Languages; however, my main motivation for being a governor is to be involved in my local community and to support my children's school.
Roles and Responsibilities
See link below.
Curriculum & Standards Committee (C&S)
The purpose of the C&S Committee is to ensure effective School leadership and management, within the agreed policies of teaching, learning and assessement across the School, ensuring that the School's aims and objectives are met, in line with government standards and targets and that attainment is of a high standard for all the pupils at William Levick Primary School.
The C&S Committee meets termly prior to the Full Governing Body meetings and have Governor representatives with the appropriate skills and experience to contribute in this area.
Resources Committee
The purpose of the Resources Committee is to ensure effective leadership and management of School financial resources, within the government's Financial Standing Orders for Schools, ensuring that funds are prioritised, within budget parameters and ensuring best value for money to meet the overall aims and objectives of the School, ensuring high levels of attainment for all pupils within a safe learning environment.
The Resources Committee meets termly prior to the Full Governing Body meetings and have Governor representatives with the appropriate skills and experience to contribute in this area. The Committee is also responsible for policies such as Child Protection and Safeguarding, E-Safety and Teachers Pay – for a full list of all Governor approved School polices, please go to the policies page.
To contact the Governors, please email: chairofgovernors1@williamlevick.derbyshire.sch.uk, or you can write to us at the school address.
Governors Meeting Schedule 24-25