Meet the Governors

Sanjai Desai - Co-opted Governor (Resources Committee's member) Elected 06/11/2019 - 05/11/2023

Governors that have left during last 12 months

Muhammad Hussain

Clerk to Governors 

Olga Michael

Declaration of Interests

Members of the Governing Body are requested to declare any interests which are pecuniary or non-pecuniary prior to any meetings.

Governors who have declared an interest;

Julie Carrick - declared a non-pecuniary interest. Julie is a trustee and committee member at St Pauls Playgroup, Gloucester.

Governors are required to inform the Governing Body of any relationships with school staff to include spouse, partners or relatives.

Steve Birt  -declared a non-pecuniary interest. Steve's partner is member of staff in Widden Primary School.

Governors at Widden Primary School do not govern at any other educational establishment other than those declared above.

Governor profiles -  Tim Cooper

I have been Head at Widden Primary School since 2000 and I have enjoyed every minute of my time in this wonderful school. I have combined my role here with work for the Gloucestershire International Education Office some time ago, helping to set up and run the Gloucester Schools Partnership (from 2008) and more recently as Executive Head of Moat Primary School during 2016 and 2017.

Governor profiles - Ian Etherton

I am the current chair of governors at Widden school. I’ve been a governor here for about 10 years and previously at another two schools.

I was born and educated here in Gloucester and had worked almost all my life as a civil servant although I’m retired now. I love Gloucester and the fact it is surrounded by the countryside within easy reach to go and walk around. I am interested in the history of the area especially in the city of Gloucester and also keen on the wildlife found on our doorstep. My other interests include sport, especially rugby, gardening and music.

So why did I become a governor. It is a bit like seeing an open door and wondering what is on the other side. An opening arose years ago to become a governor and having an enquiring mind I accepted and very soon afterwards I realised that this was something interesting, worthwhile and rewarding.

Widden is a wonderful school to be a part of, as it is a school based at the heart of the community surrounding the Barton area of Gloucester. The mix of nationalities, religions and social backgrounds provides a fantastic opportunity to share and learn together and enables Widden to rise to the challenge presented to it. The enthusiasm of the staff and everyone else involved in the school in making a difference to every child who enters its door is clearly apparent not just for the education they provide for the children but also for the support to the families as learning does not just stop as they leave the school gate.

Governor profiles - Steve Birt

Hello my name is Steve Birt and I’m a parent governor. I have held this post for nearly two years. I believe I am helping the school by bringing the experience of a parent who has seen a child through primary school life and another child half way through their journey at Widden. I have developed my role and am now Chair of Curriculum & Standards committee. I like to attend the other committee meetings too to get an overview of the way the school functions in all areas. I very much enjoy the role and heartily recommend it to anyone who wants to have input into the school.

Governor Profiles - Clare Thomas

I studied English, and after university worked for the BBC as a television director for many years, and after we moved to Stroud I was as a business manager for engineering companies.  For the past two years I’ve worked at Beaudesert Park School, and I still do some consulting work too.  I am married with two sons, and my husband is a maths teacher.   

I got to know Widden School because of the exchange visits Year 4 have with Beaudesert.  Having always been interested in schools and teaching, being a governor is a great opportunity to get involved with and to contribute to a school – it also means I am constantly reading and learning more!   I am on the Resources Committee where we look at how the business side of the school is run – this includes finances, facilities and staffing.

Governor profiles - Julie Carrick

I am now in my tenth year as a governor at Widden, and am the Chair of the Resources committee.  I grew up in the Stroud area, and moved to Gloucester in 1999.  I worked for the Library service for 7 years, and the Railway for 8 years (where I met my husband) and am now a stay-at-home mum.  One of my sons attends Gloucester Academy, and the youngest has now left Widden and moved on to Marling school in Stroud.  I run the Stay and Play sessions in the Children’s Centre, and have a particular interest in Maths.

Governor profiles - Fiona Womersley

I was born and brought up in a prep school, which was founded by my parents and is now run by my brother.  I chose not to become a teacher but then married one and spent 27 years living in schools!  My husband was headmaster of Beaudesert Park in Minchinhampton for 21 years and I worked at the school where I had various roles, the most important of which was to lead the safeguarding.  We retired from Beaudesert in July 2018.

I first met Mr Cooper in 2013 when we set up a link between Beaudesert and Widden.  I was immediately struck by the warm and friendly atmosphere, the purposeful environment, the dedicated staff and the fact that the children are at the heart of everything.  The Year 4s of each school have continued to have an exchange day each year so that the children can experience each other’s environments. 

I was delighted when Mr Cooper asked me if I would help the governing body and my first impressions of the school have never wavered.

Governor profiles - Sally Dillon

I have recently become a co-opted Governor of Widden Primary School and am a member of the Curriculum and Standards Committee. I have worked in Education in Gloucestershire for many years, both as a teacher and Headteacher and, now that I am retired, I am happy to keep that involvement as a Governor.

In getting to know Widden, I have been very impressed by the vibrant nature and enclusive ethos of the school and hope that I can bring my experience to support the school in any way that I can.

I know the Gloucestershire area very well and I have two sons, both now grown up, who went to local schools. I have four grandchildren who bring my husband and me great joy, but also keep us very busy!

Governor Profiles - Sanjai Desai

Originally from Bolton Sanjai moved to Gloucester in 1992. He is married with 3 children. He owns a consultancy business specialising in business turnaround and transformation as well as stakeholdings in other ventures. He is a Chartered Accountant and read Pure Chemistry at University.

Sanjai was the former Chairperson of the Aspire Sports and Cultural trust and contributes a significant amount of his time to not for profit organisations in the county. A FA Level 2 coach he formed Redmarley Youth football Club in 2014, which has grown to just under 200 players aged 6 to 16. A number of older players coming from Widden, where he continues to mentor them into good citizens.

Sanjai was delighted to accept the opportunity to be a Governor at Widden because of his background which enables him to add value to the various stakeholders and believes it is an opportunity for him to use some of his skill and contacts for the benefit of the school.

He is extremely proud of his mother who was awarded an MBE in the Queens’ birthday honours for services to the NHS and Social care and hopes to mirror some of that good work in the local community in and around Widden.