Meet the Governors
Each meeting is also attended by the Clerk to Governors who keeps minutes and advises governors of any changes in legislation.
You may also request a copy of minutes from a meeting.
After the Governing Body reconstituted on the 28th January 2015, 8 governors took a new 4 year term of office.
The Chair and Vice Chair are elected annually.
The Governing Body Committee Structure consists of;
Timothy Cooper - Headteacher (Member of all committees)
Ian Etherton - Co-opted member (Vice Chair of Governors, Chair of Widden Plus Committee, member of Resources and Curriculum and Standards Committees) Elected 28/01/2015 - 27/01/2019
Charlotte Hout - Staff Governor ( Curriculum & Standards Committee member) Elected 28/02/2018 - 27/02/2022
Muhammad Hussain - Parent Governor Elected 24/04/2019 - 23/04/2023
Associate members
Debbie Innes - Deputy Headteacher ( Curriculum & Standards Committee member) elected by the governing body 27/09/2017
Governors that have left during last 12 months
Fatima Patel
Sammia Yousaf
Lisa Smith
Yordanka Ivanova
Elzbieta Adamczyk-Kuczynska
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.
There are no Governors with any links to School staff.
Governors at Widden Primary School do not govern at any other educational establishment other than those declared above.
Attendance Record
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 - 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 Governors and 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 - Ian Etherton
I am the current vice chair of governors at Widden school. I thought I would take this opportunity to tell you a little bit about myself and my view of the school.
Firstly about me. I was born and educated here in Gloucester and have worked almost all my life as a civil servant in an office not very far from Widden school. I love Gloucester and the fact it is surrounded by the countryside with forest, river, hills and vale all within easy reach to go and walk around and explore. 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, music and of course now I can include education.
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 about 15 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 - Julie Carrick
I am now in my fifth year as a governor at Widden, and my second as vice-chair. I grew up in the Stroud area, and moved to Gloucester in 1999. I worked for the Library service for 7 years, and the railways for 8 years, and am now a stay-at-home mum. I am married, and have 2 boys who attend St Pauls school, currently in years 2 & 4. I am particularly interested in the impact Maths Makes Sense has across the school.
Governor profiles - Fiona Womersley
I was born and brought up in a prep school, which was founded by my parents and now run by my brother. I chose not to become a teacher but then married a school master and have spent the last 24 years living in schools. My husband is headmaster of Beaudesert Park in Minchinhampton and I work at the school and have various roles but, in particular, I am very involved in the pastoral care.
I first met Mr Cooper four years ago when we set up a link between Beaudesert and the Widden School. I was immediately struck by the warm and friendly atmosphere and the efficient organisation of the school. Our Year 4s now have an exchange day each year so that the children of both schools can experience each other’s environment. I was delighted when Mr Cooper asked me if I would help the governing body and I look forward to getting to know the staff and children better.