Governors
A Governing Body is a group of volunteers elected by parents and staff at the school and also nominated by the Bury Local Authority. Working closely with the Exeecutive Headteacher and Head of School, the Body has the responsibility for raising school standards through key roles of setting strategic direction, ensuring accountability and monitoring & evaluating school performance.
East Ward Community Primary School has 10 Governors who meet once per term to address the delegated functions of the Trustee Board (Vision Multi Academy Trust).
Our Governing Body includes 3 Parent Governors, one Staff Governor, the Executive Headteacher and Head of School as ex-officio and the remaining members are co-opted.
To find out more about our Trust Governance Model along with further information about trustees and members please visit the Vision Multi Academy Trust website.
Diversity
The Governors/Trustees of Vision Multi-Academy Trust believe it is important that Governing Boards/Trust Boards reflect the diversity of the school communities they serve. Diverse Boards promote inclusive school environments and provide diverse role models for staff and young people. Vision MAT has a diverse Board and a wide range of perspectives around the table to support robust decision making. At the present time, we do not publish this diversity data online, as individual Governors/Trustees could be identified, and we have a legal obligation to protect their personal data.
Current Governing Body Members 2025 - 2026
Chair Mr Richard Walthall
c/o SEast Ward Community Primary School,
Willow Street
Bury,
BL9 7QZ
office.eastward@visionmat.com
Vice Chair Belinda Pennington
Executive Headteacher Mrs Kathryn Mort
Head of School Laura Jarvis
Teaching and Learning Governor Mrs Wendy Beedie
Community Governor Mrs Susan Ruddock
Staff Governor Miss Alex Lees
Parent Governor Mr Sajid Amin, Miss Jade Walmsley and Mrs Hannah Golding
| Full Name | Date of Appointment | Term in office | Role | Business or Pecuniary interests | Governance Role in other Schools | Associate or Full Membership | Voting Rights | Attendance 2025 - 2026 |
| Mr Richard Walthall | 16-Oct-23 | 4 years | Chair Safeguarding Link Governor | None Declared | Stansfield Hall C of E Primary School | Full | Yes | 2 out of 3 |
|
Mrs Kathryn Mort |
05-Sep-22 | 4 years | Executive Headteacher | None Declared | Bridgewater School | Full | Yes | 2 out of 3 |
| Miss Laura Jarvis |
05-Sep-22 Ended 13-Nov-25 |
4 years | Head of School | None Declared | None | Full | Yes | 1 out of 3 |
|
Mrs Wendy Beedie |
05-Sep-22 | 4 years | Teaching & Learning Governor | None Declared | None | Full | Yes | 1 out of 3 |
|
Ms Belinda Pennington |
05-Sep-22 | 4 years | SEND Link Governor | None Declared | None | Full | Yes | 2 out of 3 |
|
Mrs Rebecca Johnson |
02-Feb-26 | 4 years | Health and Safety | None Declared | None | Full | Yes | 1 out of 3 |
| Ms Susan Ruddock | 26-Jan-23 | 4 years | Community Governor | Friend of Hazelwood High School. | None | Full | Yes | 2 out of 3 |
| Mrs Hannah Golding | 26-Jan-23 | 4 years | Health/Wellbeing & Parental Governor | Works at Spring Lane School | None | Full | Yes | 2 out of 3 |
|
Miss Jade Walmsley |
02-May-23
|
4 years |
Early Years & Parental Governor |
None Declared | None | Full | Yes |
1 out of 3 |
|
Mr Jordan Slater |
08-Jan-24 Resignation 31-Aug-25 |
4 years |
Health & Safety |
None Declared | None | Full | Yes |
N/A |
| Mr Sajid Amin |
08-Dec-23 |
4 years |
Attendance & Parental Governor |
None Declared |
None |
Full |
Yes |
1 out of 3 |
| Miss Alex Lees |
03-Nov-25 |
4 years |
Staff Governor |
None Declared |
None |
Full |
Yes |
1 out of 3 |