Whingate Primary School - Governor Pen Pictures

Governor Pen Pictures

Pete Zanzottera - Chair of Governors

Debbie Binnersley

Pete has been a governor for about 10 years. He started as a parent governor but both of his children have now left the school. Pete is active in the community as part of Armley Common Right Trust and regularly helps at Armley Parkrun. He is self-employed although he worked for local government and for an international transport consultancy. He is confident at organising and leading meetings and experienced at holding the school to account, whilst being a passionate supporter of Whingate and Armley. He has been Chair of Governors since October 2018.

Debbie has been a governor at Whingate since October 2017 and has three children, two who currently attend the school and one at University. She has lived in the LS12 area all her life. Although now self-employed as a Freelance PA, she previously worked as an Office Manager for a local civil and structural engineering consultancy overseeing the day to day running of the business from premises management to recruitment. In her role as Equalities Governor, Debbie is responsible for ensuring the school and governing body comply with their equality duties and current legislation.

Ian Stokes

Ian has been a governor at Whingate for about 10 years and was a governor at another Armley School prior to that. His children attended Whingate and are now at secondary school. He is a data analyst and trainer, and works with lots of schools in the Leeds area. When he is not working, or being a dad-taxi, he enjoys going for walks with his dog or going for a run. Ian was the Chair of Governors for three years until October 2018, and currently chairs the Teaching and Learning Committee.

Jim Guy

Jim has been a governor here at Whingate for over 20 years. Like many he started as a parent governor, but both of his children have now left the school. During his time at Whingate he has been Chair, Vice Chair, Training Governor and is currently chair of the Resources (Finance) committee. Jim retired in 2017 after working for the same company for over 42 years and now spends time looking after his grandson. You will see him at the annual sponsored walk in June where he organises the Bratwurst B-B-Q.

Stacey Booth

Stacey is a co-opted governor and joined the governing body in 2017. Her son is at Whingate and her 20 year old daughter was a pupil previously. Stacey is a trade union officer looking after members in the NHS. She previously worked for Leeds City Council at Armley Sports Centre and Bramley Baths. She is a keen community campaigner and has organised many events locally, two recent ones being the I love Leeds West Festival at Armley sports centre and the NHS 70th birthday event in Charlie Cake park last Summer.

Michelle Gittins

Michelle became a parent governor in October 2016. She has two children in Key Stage 2, and is passionate about the Whingate School community and ensuring it is a happy and successful teaching and learning environment. Michelle worked for over 20 years in Accounting, HR and Senior Management roles in public, private and voluntary sectors. She loves the Armley community and is a committee member of the 'Friends of Armley and Gotts Park’ and a founder and Event Director of Armley parkrun. Michelle sits on all 3 school governor sub-committees.

Samantha Stewart - Vice Chair of Governors

Sam has been a governor at Whingate since 2013 and is Vice Chair of the Governing Body since 2015. Both of her children have attended Whingate. She is self-employed working as a teacher of music and community musician around Leeds. She has a background in youth work and is passionate about empowering young people to reach their potential. She is the Governor responsible for Child Protection, Children Looked After and Safeguarding. As the chair of the Pupil Support Committee, she is committed to working together with the staff, parents and children at the school to ensure that the children in our community grow and develop in a nurturing and safe environment where they can enjoy learning.