Key Information

Letters

Governors

School governors play a vital role in promoting high standards of educational achievement. Our governors are committed to serving the best interests of Wheldrake with Thorganby CE Primary School. As unpaid voluntary public servants, they help to sustain the school’s identity and provide a link with the local community. The members of the governing body include:

  • school staff
  • parents of pupils
  • representative of the church
  • members of the public from all walks of life.
 
Here at Wheldrake with Thorganby we are extremely proud of the way in which the governors are fully involved in the life of the school, and are grateful for their time, enthusiasm and dedication.
 
 

LGB Attendance

Governor Committees

Please click below to view our committees and membership.
 

Our sub committees will be reviewed at our next Local Governor Body meeting and will be updated here with our new parent governors who have joined us this year.

Governor Profiles

Phil Baldacchino Steward – Chair of Governors, Trust Appointed Governor

I am a parent of two children at Wheldrake with Thorganby school, and a leaver who now attends Fulford secondary. I relish the opportunity to give something back to the organisation which is caring for and educating my children. I am a Trust appointed governor based on my governance experience within primary schools. I have been a governor since 2017 for another primary school and have been a chair for a Local Governing Body since 2018. I am keen to continue the development of the school and make a positive impact for all the children who attend. My work background is in business and I bring wide ranging people and business skill including human resources, finance and health & safety.

Paul Botting – Foundation Governor, Ex-officio

I have lived in Wheldrake village for over 50 years. I am the Diocesan appointed ex-officio Foundation Governor for the Church.

Over the 32 years that I have been a Governor at Wheldrake with Thorganby CE Primary School, I have held all the offices at various points.

My three children all went to the school and from September 2022 I will have a Granddaughter in Reception class.

Alan Crowe – Foundation Governor

I have been a foundation governor for eight years and have lived in Wheldrake and Thorganby for nearly ten years.  I have three children who also attend Wheldrake with Thorganby School and we all love it very much.
 
It’s been amazing to part of all the discos and summer fairs over the years and see our beautiful village come together.  I have been a residential social care worker in children’s homes for eight years in Northern Ireland and am currently a teaching assistant in a SEN setting.  I am also a youth worker in church.
 
I love a good table quiz and am currently trying to get better at playing darts.  Here’s hoping that I manage to keep the arrows on the board.

Shirley Hodgson – Foundation Governor

I was born in Wheldrake and went to school in what is now White Rose House. My two sons went to the school we have now but it has been extended since then.

I am disabled and limited with things I’m able to do physically but like to be involved with school’s connection with church it is very important to me.

I like reading and listening to music, spending time with family and friends. Theatre, Cinema, love motorbikes.

Andrew Mason – Foundation Governor

I am a foundation governor appointed by the parish and have been part of the governing body here at WwT for nearly 3 years.  I have recently accepted the role of Vice-chair supporting the Chair of Governors and the Head Teacher with various aspects of school strategy and governance, helping the development of the children be the best they can be both individually and as part of the local community.

I am a secondary school teacher by trade so understand the challenges and rewards of education that provides a great background to bring to the governing body here at WwT, moreover my head of department position gives me essential leadership skills that are applicable in our governing body also.

Outside of work, I have two children who keep me busy – both attended WwT school in the past and who adored their many happy years here! I am a keen cyclist and enjoy getting outdoors with my family and dogs and boring them with geography facts!

Bronwyn Urwin – Foundation Governor 

I have lived in the village now for over 30 years and my youngest child attended Wheldrake with Thorganby School in the 1990’s. I am a Foundation Governor and have special responsibility for Special Educational Needs in the school.

Prior to retirement I worked as a speech and language therapist/teacher and latterly a child and adolescent mental health therapist. I was, and still am, passionate about inclusivity with justice and fairness for all. Although I am close to edging out of my 7th decade, I believe I still have the energy and commitment to support the work of the school and to see the children grow and develop in a happy, caring community.

Emma Mawer – Foundation Governor

I have been a Foundation Governor at Wheldrake with Thorganby CE Primary School for 3 years and am a parent of a pupil who left the school last year. I originally trained as a primary teacher and taught for 11 years in the U.K., so am passionate about providing excellent education for all children.

Over the past 8 years I have set up and run community projects, which has given me leadership and management experience.

I am a Christian and am actively involved in the local church. So, I am also keen to support the school in immersing children in Christian beliefs and practice, as it strives to be the best that it can.

Jill Patrick – Foundation Governor

I was born in Wheldrake and moved to Thorganby when I was six months old. After working at the school, as a teaching assistant, a midday supervisory assistant and an emotional literacy support assistant, I retired in 2019. I have been a foundation governor (appointed by the Parochial church council) since November 2013 and am keen to give our children the best possible learning experience in a safe, happy caring and friendly environment. Both my daughters attended Wheldrake with Thorganby CE primary school.

I play the church organ, enjoy various crafts including sewing and love a night at the Theatre.

Dave Carpenter – Parent Governor

I am an elected parent governor and am excited to be a part of our wonderful village school. I am passionate about the role of the arts in helping children express themselves and gain confidence.

At work, I manage the commercial aspect of large rail civil engineering and asset management programmes. This has given me a wealth of experience in budget management which I look to bring to my role as governor. Working in a safety critical industry, I am used to putting safety first in everything we do, which is why I volunteered to be the link governor in this area.

Sarah Greatorex – Parent Governor

I was appointed a parent governor in October 2021 and have two children at Wheldrake with Thorganby school.  I am a qualified governance professional with over 18 years’ experience of governance and compliance in public listed companies.  I am looking forward to using my skills and experience to support the development of my local primary school for the benefit of all the children and the wider school community.

Alison Shaw – Headteacher, Ex-officio

I have been the headteacher at Wheldrake with Thorganby CE Primary School since September 2013. I reached my twentieth anniversary of headship in April 2022, with previous headships in Stamford Bridge, East Riding of Yorkshire and Hepworth, Holmfirth. I live in a neighbouring village with my teenage son who attends Fulford School so we are very local. I feel very privileged to lead our school and work with a strong staff team and insightful governors. I really value working in the Wheldrake and Thorganby communities and within the South York Multi Academy Trust I am passionate about providing the best well-balanced education for our children in a caring environment.

Nicola Clark – Staff Governor

I have worked at Wheldrake with Thorganby CE Primary School for 15 years. Currently, I teach Year 1 but I have also taught Year 2, Year 3 and Year 5 while I have worked here. I am the RE subject lead now having also been the subject lead for English and Computing in the past. While my son was growing up I have helped out in my local community as Chair of the Committee for his pre-school and out of school club and more recently as Group Secretary for our local scout group. I am looking forward to helping my school community now as a Staff Governor. In my free time I enjoy reading and cross stitch.

Admissions

All children can start school in the September before their 5th birthday.  You should apply for your child to start primary or infant school by the 15th of January in the school year your child turns 4. For entry in the September 2023 school year, children will have been born between 1st September 2018 and 31st August 2019.  Later start dates are possible and can be discussed with the headteacher.

Applications for children who were born between 1st September 2019 and 31st August 2020 can be made onlyfrom the Autumn of 2023.

Following the conversion to academy status the South York Multi Academy Trust is our admissions authority.  Applications are processed by, and must be made via, the Local Authority.  You will find the South York Multi Academy Trust Admissions Policy on our Policies page of this website. Our PAN (Proposed Admission Number) for both September 2022 and September 2023 is 30.

For any queries about the admissions policy or process you can email education@york.gov.uk or call 01904 551554.  Further details are available on their website, and details of the admissions policies for all York schools can be found here.  

Will your child start reception in September 2023?

Applications for a place in Reception starting in September 2023 open on 12th September 2022. The deadline for applications is 15th January 2023 although late applications can be made after this date. National Offer Day is the 16th April 2023, or the next working day.

Applications for entry into reception can be made by using the online form to apply for a school place.

If you can’t apply online you can request a paper Primary Application Form by calling 01904 551 554. Forms are also distributed to primary schools and nurseries in the York area.

Please read the Guide for Parents applying for a school place, as it contains key information on school admissions.  You can also find the Guide to School Catchment Areas online.  We also advise you to keep checking on the City of York Council Admissions site to keep updated with key dates throughout the year.

Key Dates for the City of York Council Admissions Process for Reception 2023

  • 12th September 2022 – opening date for applications
  • 15th Jan 2023 – Deadline for applications
  • 16th April 2023 or the next working day – National Offer Day
  • 21st May 2023 – Appeal forms to be returned
  • June-July 2023 – Admission appeals heard
  • September 2023 – Applications for the 2024 entry into Reception expected to open

Admission Consultations

South York Multi Academy Trust is our admissions authority. Admissions consultation for entry in 2024-2025 which will be held by all admissions authorities in the City of York, opening on the 3rd October 2022.

Admissions

Please contact us if you would like to join our school community. We offer visits to school normally, however during Coronavirus restrictions, we are offering an after school visit or a virtual video tour. This will give you an insight into our school environment, please contact us if you would like further information.

Children starting school in Reception should turn 5 during their Reception year from September to August. For information about how to apply for a school place, please see this link to the City of York Starting School Information. 

 

Our Admission Arrangements 2022-23

Please follow the link below to view our Admissions Policy for school places in Reception 2022.  Our published admission number for Reception is 30.

SYMAT Admissions Policy 2022-23

 

Admission Consultation for 2022/23 entry

South York Multi Academy Trust is our admissions authority.  Applications for children who were born between 01 September 2017 and 31 August 2018 for entry to Reception in September 2022 can be made only from the Autumn of 2021. Click here to find out about the admissions consultation for 2022-2023,  which is being jointly held by all admissions authorities in the City of York between 12 October and 29 November 2020.

Policies

A selection of our policies are available to view online by following the links.

All our policies are available to view at any time – just call in to the school office to enquire.

Accounts and Financial Information

The Academies Financial Handbook includes a requirement for academy trusts to publish financial statements for the last two years. There is also a requirement to publish the relevant business and pecuniary interests of members, trustees and local governors.

Click this section of the page, to find information about our school governance.

Visit this link for information about the trustees, appointed senior staff and members of the board of the South York Multi-Academy Trust.

The financial statements are published on the South York Multi-Academy Trust website here.

Safeguarding

Our School Designated Safeguarding Officer is Miss Alison Shaw (Headteacher). We have two Deputy Safeguarding Officers Mrs Clare Thompson (Deputy Head) and Miss Sophie Tams (Pastoral and Wellbeing Lead). 
 
Should you have any questions, please contact us at the email at the bottom of this page.
 
 
Please see our School Visitor Safeguarding Guide for more information.
 
If you have a concern that a child is vulnerable or at risk of significant harm, please contact the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) in York on 01904 551900 and select option 3 or email MASH@york.gov.uk. Outside office hours, at weekends and on public holidays contact the emergency duty team on 01609 780780. You can also visit www.saferchildrenyork.org.uk, for more information.
Please also be aware that as a school we subscribe to Operation Encompass. One of the principles of Operation Encompass is that all incidents of domestic abuse are shared with schools, not just those where an offence can be identified. Additional information can be found at: www.operationencompass.org/school-participation

Remote Education