Governors

Our Governors

Rockingham Primary School is governed by an Academy Scrutiny Committee.

Our governors are:

• Deborah Godfrey
  DRET Appointed Governor (Chair)
  Deborah Godfrey

  Deborah joined the ASC in November 2024. As Principal of another DRET primary, Abbey CE Academy, Deborah had strong links with Rockingham Primary School.

  Outside of work, Deborah loves reading and all aspects of English. Deborah particularly enjoy musicals, and enjoys spending time with her family.

• Adam Lea
  DRET Appointed Governor (Vice Chair)
  Adam Lea

  I became a governor to give back into my local community and make a positive difference in children’s lives. I want to continue developing my knowledge of education and apply my skills in a meaningful way. I am currently employed at United Learning as a HR Officer. I support schools and nurseries across England providing a range of HR advice. This can include employee casework, mediating disputes or conducting safeguarding audits to ensure sound recruitment checks are taking place. I enjoy watching sci-fi movies or TV shows and visiting English Heritage sites.

• Dr Cath Arnold
  DRET Appointed Governor
  Dr Cath Arnold

  Cath Arnold has served as a DRET Appointed Governor at Rockingham since October 2015 and has also previously served on Lodge Park Academy’s ASC. When the previous Chair left the position unexpectedly in April 2024, Cath stepped into the position on a temporary basis and has since extended this arrangement.

  Cath is interested in education and in supporting children to fulfil their potential. In her working life, Cath was a nursery teacher, researcher, lecturer and author with her specialisms being early development and learning, how young children learn and working with families. She brings knowledge of the local community as well as some knowledge of education and research.
  

• Emilia Petre
  DRET Appointed Governor
  Emilia Petre

  In February 2024 Emilia joined Rockingham's ASC.

  Emilia decided to become a Governor to go back to a DRET school (a former DRET pupil herself) and support students broaden their horizons. Emilia has always been passionate about supporting others, and by being a Governor can contribute to the strategic direction of a school in her community.

  Currently, Emilia is a Programmes Administrator. Prior to this Emilia has worked in Apprenticeships, and extensively volunteered as a Romanian Interpreter and an EAL LSA linked to Business.

  Emilia am passionate in making a positive change by supporting others achieve their truest potential. Her interests revolve around development and morale, as well as mental health and wellbeing.

• Victoria Gibson
  DRET Appointed Governor
  Victoria Gibson

  Victoria joined the ASC in September 2024 as she wanted to bring her skills and support the school into becoming a safe and nurturing environment for everyone.

  In her paid work, Victoria is a Risk Manager with twenty years working in public and private sector environments.

  Outside of work, Victoria enjoys being in the water (usually rivers or lakes), reading, cryptic crosswords and playing netball.

• Connor Sharkey
  DRET Appointed Governor
  Connor Sharkey

  In October 2024 Connor joined Rockingham's ASC as he wanted to have a positive impact in his local community and gain additional experience to support his personal/professional development.

  Connor works as a Regulatory and Specifications Manager at a food manufacturing company in Corby.

  Outside of work, Connor is a keen footballer, a bit of a gamer and loves to read to both his children and for himself.

• Sophie Lane
  Staff Governor
  Sophie Lane

  Sophie originally joined the ASC as a Parent Governor on 15 October 2019. However, she has since been re-appointed a Staff Governor after becoming employed by the academy. Sophie has a keen interest in the educational system. She grew up in Corby, and since moved away to complete studies, but has chosen to move back and bring up her own children in the town. She has a passion to support local children to achieve, and to be offered, a great educational experience. Sophie has previous managerial experience however more recently has taken some time out to raise her children. She volunteers at the Corby Musical and Performing Arts Centre and Pen Green Centre, thus bringing experience of other local educational platforms. Sophie also enjoys music and playing the trombone.

• Natalie Belton
  Staff Governor
  Natalie Belton

  Natalie is a year 5 teacher and Science lead at Rockingham, and Natalie decided to become a governor as she is extremely passionate about our school and the children who learn at Rockingham.

  With a passion for performance, Natalie runs a Shakespeare club at school which culminates with a performance on a real stage for the children. Natalie also has a passion for science and loves how we can find out so much about the world around us through experimenting and testing new concepts out.

  Outside of work, Natalie is an avid board gamer, enjoys being outside in nature, roller skating and spending time with her family.

• Anthony Lee
  Parent Governor
  Anthony Lee

  Anthony joined the ASC in October 2024 as he wanted to become more involved in his children's school.

  For his paid role, Anthony is a Senior Customer Care Manager for a medical legal business.

• Danielle Wensley
  DRET Appointed Governor
  Danielle Wensley

  Danielle served two terms of office as a DRET Appointed Governor, originally appointed on 25 March 2014. She became a governor around the same time she started volunteering at the academy to give her more experience of school life and teaching. As an ex-pupil of Rockingham she always wanted to give something back and help children attending the academy to have the same amazing experience and brilliant memories she remembers from her years spent there. When she first joined as a governor she had just completed her BA in Media Production at Coventry University and was considering taking a PGCE route into teaching. The fantastic staff and governors at Rockingham were very supportive of this and supported her to fulfil her ambitions.

  Whilst seconded to Rockingham from Greenfields Primary School in Kettering and Danie took on an Associate role for a short period.

  Danielle has a passion for teaching and learning. She is always reading about or listening to ways she can improve her teaching practice and help improve the learning experience for children in her classroom and across the Trust. Danielle also loves music and sports and although her skills in this area are not one of her strengths, she loves to see her own children improving their skills in these areas. Her two sons always teach her new skills in these areas.

• Angela Watts
  Interim Principal
  Angela Watts

• Emma Stephens-Dunn
  Clerk
  Emma Stephens-Dunn

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  Emma Stephens-Dunn has been clerking academies for DRET since 2013. Emma is Clerk to ASCs for all but one of the academies in the DRET Greater Corby Region, as well as an independent Clerk for several other schools in Northamptonshire, and Company Secretary for a Peterborough based Multi-Academy Trust. Emma has also served as a governor for fifteen years, in three different schools. Emma is Chair of Governors at one of the schools. She has a broad insight into school governance across all sizes, types and phases of school. She has an excellent understanding of current issues in education as well as best practice in governance. Emma has four children aged between eight and twenty and is therefore keenly aware of the crucial role played by education in shaping young lives. Emma enjoys supporting governors to fulfil their role within this through providing governance advice and guidance and an efficient governance administration service. Emma's interests and hobbies include gardening, singing, fitness, running and walking with her two dogs.

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Current Governors 

Former Governors 

 Below is a list of Governors that have served in the past 12 months. 

Contacting Us

The Governance Officer for Rockingham Primary School is Victoria Linthwaite. Victoria can be reached at governance@dret.co.uk. 

To contact a governor, please contact the Trust Governance Team by emailing governance@dret.co.uk.

If you are looking to contact a Governor to make a complaint or share a concern, please note that as per our Complaints Policy, governors do not investigate complaints at Stage 1 or Stage 2.  This enables them to be impartial should a complaint be escalated to a Stage 3 governor panel. If you wish to make a complaint, please complete this form and your complaint will be investigated accordingly.

Scheme of Delegation

Information about the David Ross Education Trust’s scheme of delegation is available here.

Minutes of the Academy Scrutiny Committee

Should you wish to view a copy of the minutes of the ASC at this academy, please contact the Trust Governance Team, (governance@dret.co.uk) who will be able to provide you with an electronic or paper copy of the minutes.

Are you interested in becoming an academy governor?

We are looking for new governors to support our academies. Our governors work closely with their academies to support the Trust’s goal of broadening the horizons of young people through a world-class education, equipping our students with the skills and experiences to become their confident, academic best, no matter what.

If you have an interest in, and commitment to, improving education and would like to make a difference within your community, please register your interest in becoming a governor by completing our governor application form. If you have any questions about a governor’s role or responsibilities please contact us at governance@dret.co.uk or review our information pack below. 

march 2024 governor recruitment booklet.pdf

What is it like being a governor with DRET?

To understand what it is like to be a governor with us, take a look at our testimonial booklet and videos which contain insights from serving governors.

governor testimonial booklet .pdf

 Emma Bennett 

Angela Watts 

Stephen Platten 

Garry Allen 

What training do Governors receive? 

We offer an extensive range of training opportunities. Take a look at what is on offer for the current academic year.