Governors
Meet the Governors
Welcome to the Governors section of our school website. We thought you might like to know a little bit about us and what we do and how to get in touch.
The Governing Body (GB) together with the Headteacher and senior staff, forms the school Leadership and Management team, and share responsibility for the school. The GB must hold the school to account for the standards it achieves. It must ensure that all resources (including the school budget and staff) are properly used to meet the needs of all children and provide value for money. Governors help to form the school development plan and are responsible for monitoring all aspects of its effectiveness in terms of outcomes for pupils.
The GB appoints the Headteacher, and delegates to her responsibility for the day to day running of the school. Governors meet termly and scrutinise closely the work of the school.
We welcome any ideas or suggestions you have regarding your school and how we can improve it. If you wish to contact us please write to:
The Chair of Governors
Oakdale Primary School
Oakdale Avenue
Stanground
Peterborough
PE2 8TD
dward@oakdale.peterborough.sch.uk
The Governing Body
Chair (Co-opted Governor)
Diane Ward
My name is Diane Ward and I have joined Oakdale School Governors this year. I have lived in Oakdale Avenue for 40 years so the school has always been part of the community and my own two children attended in the 1980's.
I have a background of working in the NHS for 39 years as a District Nurse, Nurse Educator and Manager and hope to transfer my knowledge and skills to support the staff and children at the school. As the school enters an exciting phase with the expansion it is important that its links with the community are maintained, and I as a new Governor look forward to being a part of this.
Parent Governors
Mr B Rogers
Mr Chris Firth
Co-opted Governors
Donna Flynn (Vice Chair)
My name is Donna Flynn, I joined Oakdale Primary School as a School Governor in September 2018.
I have worked in and supporting schools for over 20 years! I currently work for Cambridgeshire Local Authority, working primarily with maintained Schools ensuring they have robust systems in place so that they can be fully compliant with their monitoring visits and have access to all the information they need when Ofsted are in attendance. More recently, I have been supporting schools with ensuring they are working towards compliance with the Data Protection Act 2018 (and associated GDPR legislation); this was my introduction to Oakdale School.
I have been extremely warmly welcomed to the Governing Board at Oakdale: I am extremely proud to be associated with such a dedicated team of staff, who go above and beyond making the children’s journey through the school a very happy and memorable one. I always enjoy my school visits and looking forward to many years supporting the school in this role.
I have always lived in Peterborough, I love it here. I enjoy going to plays at the local theatres as well as at least a weekly jog around Ferry Meadows.
Kirsti Britton (Deputy Headteacher)
I have taught in both Key Stage One and Key stage Two and I became Deputy Head at Oakdale in 2007. I am accountable for data in school and work with the Headteacher to ensure that teaching and learning meets the needs of our pupils and that every child makes good progress from their starting point.
I am extremely proud and passionate about our school. Together we drive school development and I feel privileged to be a part of a team which strives to achieve the best for the pupils in our care. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my three children, travelling and retail therapy.
Mr R Colley
I am proud to serve as a governor at Oakdale Primary School, bringing with me 13 years of experience in education, including my current role as Head of School at Winyates Primary. My extensive background in school leadership and passion for fostering a positive and enriching learning environment for all students shape my contributions as a governor.
As a primary school head, I have developed expertise in areas such as school improvement, safeguarding, curriculum design, school leadership and staff development, and I am committed to supporting Oakdale in achieving its educational goals. I work alongside the headteacher and other governors to ensure that the school remains accountable, effective, and focused on delivering the best possible outcomes for its students.
Vacancy
Staff Governor
Elizabeth Clement
My name is Elizabeth Clement and I am a staff governor. I hold a B.A.Hons in English Literature and Fine Art and PGCE completed in 2013. I have seven years of experience in both key-stage 1 and 2, in a range of vastly different schools in England and Wales.
In my spare time I paint in oils and enjoy yoga.
I joined the Governing body to make a difference contributing to the lives of everyone at Oakdale; supporting children, parents and staff alike to achieve our ethos and vision.
Clerk to the Governors
Martin Thorner
My name is Martin Thorner, and I am the clerk to the Governing Body at Oakdale School where I am responsible for organising governor’s meetings, recording the minutes of those meetings and supporting governors as required. This includes providing advice on school governance issues.
Prior to taking on this role, I served in the RAF for 35 years, retiring in 2022. Although I was lucky enough to serve in many locations across the world, I have lived in the Peterborough area on and off since 1992. During my service I have been involved in the training of service personnel, the governance of training for service people and civil servants and I was even the chair of governors of a pre-school for service children while serving in Italy. On retirement from the RAF, I was seeking an opportunity to contribute to our community and this role has offered that opportunity.
LA Governor
Vacant
Headteacher
Ilona Wrigley
My name is Ilona Wrigley. I was appointed Head of Oakdale School in September 2013.
I was a member of the Governing Body at my last school for 10 years. I have been in education for sixteen years and have taught all primary age ranges during this time.
I was Deputy Head at Nene Valley Primary for 5 years and spent two terms there as Acting Head before coming to Oakdale.
I am passionate about teaching and learning and love the challenges that headship brings. I am very excited about the future and all we can achieve as a Governing Body for the benefit of the school.
I live in Stamford with my daughter who is now at University. When I have free time I enjoy films, shopping, crime drama ( I'm a massive Columbo fan!), eating out and I would be lost without my Kindle!