Meet our Governors

Wahida Warshow

I have really enjoyed my time as a governor and parent at Eling the last couple of years. The school has such a beautiful feel to it and the care and support for the children is heartwarming. It has been very enlightening to learn about how the school runs and it is wonderful to be a part of the team. I am a pharmacist and so, naturally, peoples best interests are always a priority.

I have lived in Totton for the last 7 years and it feels like home. I love the community feel and enjoying all the beautiful places around us. In my spare time I enjoy walking, cycling, visiting castles and days out with my family. Please feel free to say hello if you see me around the school. 

Chair of Governors with responsibility for Safeguarding (Local Authority Governor)

Term: 16th May 2023 - 15th May 2027

 

Chris Oddy

I am a co-opted governor. Professionally I am an IT Project Director working for Siemens PLC working on international IT projects. Siemens PLC is very keen that their staff support the local communities, therefore they give me the time to be a co-opted governor at our great school. From a governor perspective I support the curriculum and also the recently introduced GDPR legislation. Outside of work interests, my leisure time is spent with my wife and daughter in the New Forest. I also enjoy Football and Cricket, and when Summer comes I always look forward to getting the BBQ operational!

Co-opted Governor responsibility for GDPR

Term: 18th May 2021-17th May 2025

 

Su Edsall

it was both a pleasure and a privilege to have worked at Eling Infant School both in the classroom and then as Admin Officer for 21 years. I retired in 2016, but have remained an active member of the Governing body with a number of different responsibilities including being the SEND governor.

I love coming back into school and especially meeting and working with the children. My father,brother and my own son attended Eling so you can see there clearly is a connection! In my spare time I enjoy walking, swimming, gardening and travelling.

Co-opted Governor responsibility for SEND

Term: 5th October 2020-5th October 2024

 

Gemma Forman

In my professional role I am an airport Duty Manager. In my volunteer role, I am parent governor for the school, health and safety support and I volunteer in Year R. My favourite volunteer job is spending time in Year R and reading with the children. I started volunteering at the school from September 2018. As a school governor, I was keen to find out and understand more of the school processes. The community spirit in the school is amazingly strong. I have found the support for the children incredible and I love it here. As a family, we like to ride our bikes everywhere and enjoy climbing and kayaking.

Parent Governor with responsibility for Health and Safety

Term: 17th May 2022-16th May 2026

 

Ellen Humphries

Fifty five years ago I started school at Eling (Primary as it was then) and now I am a Governor! I lived in Eling until I went to university and then moved away and now we’ve come back!

It was lovely to be shown around the school by the Head and see all the changes AND all the things that remind me so much of my own happy school days there. It was fantastic to see the busy, happy children and hear the buzz of learning around the school.

I am now retired, but in my career I was a teacher and head teacher. I am hoping to be able to bring the skills learned and experiences survived, to “support and challenge” the team at Eling Infant School.

Vice Chair and Co-opted Governor

Term: 2nd February 2021 to 1st February 2025

 

Amy Dolan

I am a parent governor for Eling. I currently work as a finance officer for a Southampton school having held previous finance roles in a variety of schools within Hampshire.  We have lived in Totton for the last 10 years and enjoy being so close to the New Forest. I have 2 children one who currently attends Eling school and another in secondary school. Working full time means I sometimes miss out on being able to actively participate in school life. However becoming a governor is a way I can be part of the school and utilise my financial skills.

Co-opted governor

Term: 22nd November 2022- 23rd November 2026

 

Will Forster

I am delighted to join Eling School's governing body as a Parent Governor. I grew up in Totton and returned after studying in London. As a Commercial Manager at a local printing company and a parent of two children at Eling School, I am passionate about positively impacting our school and supporting the local community.

My goal as a Parent Governor is to collaborate with fellow stakeholders to ensure a nurturing and inclusive environment where every child can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

Parent Governor

Term: 23rd January 2024 - 22nd January 2028

 

Mark Jackson

Parent Governor

Term: 14th May 2024 - 13th May 2028

 

Trina Sillence

I am so proud to work at Eling Infant School and Nursery. I love that everyday is different working with great staff and fantastic children. I like to think that the  school makes a great difference to the local community. I have been at Eling since 2002 when I joined as a young teacher. Throughout the years I have been in many roles including class teacher, SENCO, Senior teacher, Assistant Headteacher and finally in 2016 I became Headteacher. I have been a governor since 2012. When not at work I enjoy spending time with my family and going on holiday.

Headteacher and Development Training Governor

 

Lucy Biggs

I am the Assistant Headteacher and SENCO at Eling. I work in Nursery and Year R. I have a BA (hons) with QTS in Primary Education and as part of my masters in education I have a post graduate certificate in early years and have gained the National SENCO accreditation. I love working across the school getting to know all the children as individuals. In my spare time I am often found in the forest cycling, walking or jumping in puddles with my children.

Staff Governor and SEND responsibilities

Term: 6th October 2020-6th October 2024

 

Hannah Morgan

I am Clerk to Governors and also an Admin Assistant in the school office.

The thing I love about Eling is that we are all continuously learning and growing together, children and grown ups alike!

 

 

Governing Board Structure

 

Our Governors meet regularly. We have a flat structure, so no committees, but each Governor takes responsibility for an area of the School Improvement Programme. They are:

Parent Governors (appointed by parents)

• Will Forster
• Mark Jackson

Local Education Authority

• Wahida Warshow (Chair)

Staff governor

• Lucy Biggs

Co-opted governors (appointed by the Governing Board)

• Chris Oddy (GDPR)
• Su Edsall (SEND/ Disadvantaged)
• Ellen Humphries
• Amy Dolan
• Gemma Forman (Health and Safety)
• Vacancy (please contact our Chair, or Mrs Sillence to find out more if you are interested)

Headteacher

• Trina Sillence (DTG)

Clerk to the Governors

• Hannah Morgan

Please contact the Governors via the school office

 

Governing Board Diversity Statement

As a school, we recognise that a diversity of thought, voices, and perspectives is essential to good governance and the effective running of any organisation. We regularly collect diversity information from our governors and, depending on current data, can use this to:

• target recruitment to address gaps in experience and diversity
• develop and adapt practices to ensure full participation
• prioritise training and awareness-raising in identified areas
• address potential 'blind spots' by seeking wider advice and perspectives on current and upcoming opportunities, challenges, and risks

However, we are unable to publish this information as it would mean that individual members of our Governing Body are identifiable.

 

Governing Board Vacancies

There are currently vacancies on our Governing board for volunteer Governors. Please download the Governor Flyer, and 'What a Governor Looks like at Eling' below.