Governance
Governance
The Role of a School Governor
Governors are one of the largest volunteer forces in the country and have an important part to play in raising school standards. Eckington Governing Body is part of Chorus Education Trust. The Trust Board is absolutely key to the effectiveness and strategic direction of the Trust, as are the school Governing Bodies to the individual school communities within the Trust.
Trustees and School Governors provide strategic leadership and accountability. For more details visit the National Governance Association website. For full details of the governance of Chorus Education Trust visit www.chorustrust.org/governance.
Eckington School Governing Body
Full details of the Eckington Governing Body can be found below. You can read more about the governance arrangements in the Trust (including information about the terms of reference for Local Governing Bodies) on their website at www.chorustrust.org/governance.
If you wish to know more about becoming a Governor on the Local Governing Body, please contact the Lead Governance Professional via email info@leap-mat.org.uk
Our Governors are:
Jill Wormleighton, CHAIR
- Co-opted Governor
- Chair: Curriculum, BASW.
- Link Roles: Safeguarding, Joint Chair SEND/DA, Personal Development.
- Committee Member: Health & Safety, Careers, Personal Development, Quality of Education, Sixth Form
- Term of office: 04.05.22 – 03.05.26
I have worked in Education for many years – Teacher, Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA), Special Educational Needs (SEN) Teaching Assistant (TA), School Business Manager (SBM), in Infant, Primary and Adult and have been involved with Governing Bodies as Clerk, Finance Governor, Vice Chair and Chair in all different schools.
I am passionate about ensuring that every child has the right to have the best quality education and for all to have the opportunities to develop their knowledge and skills to equip them for their life ahead. I bring experiences in Administration, Accounts, Education and Community Work to my role as a Governor. I chose Eckington School as I recognise the potential and challenges for this school in my area.

Phil Johnson
- Co-Opted governor
- Link Governor: Personal Development (Assist on Focus Groups – Safeguarding)
- Committee Member: BASW, Curriculum, Health & Safety, Pay & Progression, Behaviour
- Term of office: 01.09.21 – 31.08.25
Having taught at Eckington School for 29 years, mainly as a Maths teacher but latterly as a Leader of Student Development (LoSD)/Head of Year (HoY), I was delighted to be asked to join the governing body upon taking early retirement. I see this as an opportunity to work with pupils, their parents/carers, staff, fellow governors, the community, and the LEAP trust to make Eckington School even more welcoming, inclusive, and successful for all.
Julie Meiner
- Co-opted Governor
- Joint Link Governor: SEND, PP/DA, Behaviour
- Committee Member: BASW, Curriculum, Quality of Education
- Term of office:10.11.21 – 09.11.25
I am a co-head teacher at Kings Oak Primary Learning Centre.
I believe very strongly about ensuring that every child has a right to a first-class education no matter where they live, what circumstances surround them or what challenges they may face. I enjoy working alongside a team of people that also share the same philosophy as myself.

Laura Moor
- Staff Governor
- Co-ordinator for Careers Committee
- Term of office: 01.01.21 – 31.12.24
I began my teaching career at Eckington School as a trainee teacher in the Business Department, and secured my permanent role at Eckington at the end of that year. 22 years later I am still here.
My current role in school is Careers Lead, and Associate Assistant Principal with responsibility for Character Development alongside other SLT members.
My passion lies in supporting students to be the best versions of themselves they can possibly be. To allow them to be exposed to experiences and support so that when they leave our school, they are ready for the world around them and they can live happy and successful lives. I hope my role as staff governor can support the school to make continuous improvements to the benefit of our students and the wider community it serves.
Professor Richard Phillips
- Co-opted Governor
- Committee Member: Curriculum, Sixth Form, Personal Development, Careers
- Term of office: 01.09.21 – 31.08.25
I am a relatively new governor, having taken up this role in September 2021.
I believe in education at all levels and for everyone who wants it. As a professor of Geography at the University of Sheffield, I am also interested in getting to know communities in the Sheffield region. I would like to help inspire and support young people from all backgrounds to continue learning when they leave school, whether that means going to university or learning in other ways.
Timothy Vernon
- Parent Governor
- Link Governor: Sixth Form, Quality of Education
- Committee Member: Curriculum, Pay & Progression
- Term of office: 07.11.21 – 06.11.25
I have two children at Eckington, so obviously have a vested interest in the performance of the school. I attended Eckington between 1991 and 1997, after sixth form I went to University to study Sport Science. I now work as a researcher at Sheffield Hallam University where my main interests are in enhancing physical activity opportunities for children and young people, and particularly in the quality of physical education.
My role as a governor is to check and challenge the school leadership and help ensure the school is doing all it can to help pupils and staff optimise their learning and enjoy their time at the school.
Chris White
- Parent Governor
- Chair of Health & Safety
- Committee Member: BASW, Curriculum, Pay & Progression, Careers, Quality of Education
- Term of office: 01.01.21 – 31.12.24
I wanted to volunteer some time to support a community project. This seemed like somewhere I could use my skills to have a positive impact. I worked in a professional services / student support role in higher education for 9 years, and I’m a qualified health and safety professional.
