Our Governors work collaboratively as part of the school Leadership Team to promote and develop the school vision. Their role is strategic and responsibilities include: employing staff, managing resources, ensuring a broad and balanced curriculum, maintaining high standards, working effectively with parents and ensuring that the staff and children have a high quality working environment.  Our Governors work very hard for the development of successful learning at Waterside Academy and there are a variety of times during the school year when you can meet them.

A Governor’s time commitment is significant and they have a number of meetings throughout the year. They have 1 Business Meeting and 6 Full Governing Board Meetings (FGB). We have combined the committee meetings with the FGB meetings. We call them either FGB Resources focus or FGB School Improvement focus meetings.

Resources (Personnel, Premises and Finance)
School Improvement (Pupils and Curriculum)

Governors are also linked to the School Development Plan and are encouraged to make several visits a year during the teaching day to talk to the children and staff, to informally observe teaching and learning and to learn more about the day to day work of the school. We also hold Governor days at the school where we all come in during a teaching day and focus on one aspect of learning for that time.

The Governing Body provide strategic management and act as a ‘critical friend’ supporting the work of the Head Teacher and other staff.
Schools have a budget and the Governing Body is responsible for managing this budget. They  support the Head Teacher in deciding how many and what types of staff to employ, which type of equipment to replace or upgrade and what the priorities are for implementing new strategies and initiatives. The Budget then gets approved by the Agora Learning Partnership Trust.  The Governors also have a role in monitoring the school’s progress.

The Governors do not get paid for their work at school – it is a voluntary role. People often apply to join the Governing Body because they are keen to make a commitment to their local community.

Anyone can become a Governor, some of our Governors work full-time, some part-time, and others are not in paid employment, but they all share one thing – a commitment to the children at Waterside Academy today and in the future. We welcome people with skills and expertise in particular fields, but the most important thing is having the time and willingness to work with the school to make it as good as it possibly can be.

Elections are held for new Governors as and when the need arises. Any parent or guardian of a child at our school is eligible to stand for election. You may want to talk to a current Governor if you would like to find out more about joining the Governing Body.

The Governors are pleased to meet with parents. You can contact them by emailing admin@waterside.herts.sch.uk. The Governors also attend our parent teacher consultations, plays, fetes etc. to meet as many parents as they can.

Our safeguarding governor is our Chair, Monika Szita-Rimann.

Governors Day reports

Last Friday (8th October 2021) I attended the Governors' morning at Waterside Academy, as a very new Governor, and what a delight it was.  This is a small school with a very inclusive and supportive learning environment. 

The morning started with a full school assembly. The Headmaster talked charismatically to the children, reminding them of the school's ethos through its five Golden Rules, the importance of learning and doing their best, and then presented a variety of awards for everything from the weekly "star in class" chosen by the class teachers to the sporting achievements against another local school the previous day. The children all paid careful attention and their pride in their achievements was lovely to see. 

I then observed each of the classes from nursery to year 6. While the teaching methods varied according to the subject and ages of the children the common features were the calm of the classrooms, good behaviour and respect for the teachers, who needed to give only a look or a quiet word for any inattention to stop. It was clear that the children enjoyed being back in school and were trying very hard with their learning.  I also talked to some of the teachers whose enthusiasm, and determination to make sure that all the children maximised their potential, shone through. 

This is a school where every child is known to the head teacher and many of the staff by name, and has a warm and encouraging approach to every child.

- Sarah Stevens

Please visit the link below to see who the Governing Body consists of and what their role is:

Attendance 2021/22

Attendance 2022/23

Attendance 2023/24

Governor Profiles:

Monika Szita-Rimann  (Chair)

I am a Trust Governor and mum of 4 daughters who now have all left Waterside Academy. I have enjoyed helping the school in various ways since my oldest daughter joined the school in 2008. I am the Chair of Governors and the Safeguarding Governor. I am also responsible for the accuracy of the Website, for the training for Governors and I am the link Governor for Curriculum (Humanities (History, Geography, R.E.) and Modern Languages. Furthermore, I am a member of the Pay and the Head Teachers Performance Committee. In my role as the Chair of Governors I work closely together with the Agora Learning Partnership (ALP) Trust and the other Chair of Governors from the Trust Schools. I work in the finance/ administrative sector. In my spare time I am a very enthusiastic singer in a Barbershop Chorus called Welwyn Harmony.

Helen Turner (Co-Vice Chair)

I have been a parent governor at Waterside since December 2016. I am a working Mum of two. Both attend Waterside Academy. I work part-time for DSTL, undertaking research in science and technology. I wanted to become a Governor to give something back to the school, as both my children have really flourished here. I am one of the two Co-Vice Chairs with a focus on resources and I am a member of the Pay Committee and the Head Teachers Performance Committee. I am the Link Governor for Performance and Data, GDPR and Early Years. 

Andy Davey

I have been a Trust Governor since May 2015. My wife and I are working parents with two children; both of them now in secondary School. I decided to become a School Governor as it was a way for me to contribute and support the children, parents and staff in a positive manner. I am the Link Governor for Health and Safety.

Coral Bamgboye

I've been a Governor since October 2015 and I am a mum of 4 children, two are of school age and attend Waterside Academy. I am a working mum (working for a global organisation within the HR, Recruitment and Equality & Diversity field) who is keen to support and develop our community school in various ways and have loved the opportunity to do so through the role of school Governor. As part of my role I am the Link Governor for English (writing, grammar, reading and phonics). Furthermore I sit on the Pay and Headteacher Performance Committee.

Mags Rosier  (Co-Vice Chair)

I joined at the end of 2019 the school Governing Body as a Parent Governor. I am a mum of 2 girls, both attending Waterside Academy. I work locally as an Operations Manager in retail. I decided to apply to become a Governor as I wanted to support the great work the school team are putting in to give all our children the best learning experience, not only in core and foundation subjects but also helping them develop their physical and emotional well-being. I am the Link Governor for PSHE, Creative Arts (Art, DT and Music) and Curriculum (Humanities (History, Geography, R.E.)) I am one of two Co-Vice Chairs with a focus on School Improvement.

Anna Galinska

I was appointed as a Governor in September 2023 and I am very excited about working with the wonderful team at Waterside Academy. For the past fourteen years I have been working as a teacher and subject lead in primary schools in London and Essex. Since September 2023 I took on the roles of Early Years Foundation Stage and English Lead; joined the Senior Leadership Team in one of primary schools in Stevenage. Two years ago, I have graduated from Ambition Institute, successfully achieving National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership degree. In addition to my professional development, I have completed The National Tutoring Programme with a qualification of an Endorsed School - Led Tutor.

I have a particular interest in Early Years Education, and I truly believe that all children can achieve personal success and make great progress when provided with an enabling environment and high standards of teaching. I feel very grateful to be given the opportunity to share my professional knowledge as well as offer my contribution with link to English subject to this Governing Body. As a Governor, I hope to play a role in the continued success of the school, ensuring the best possible outcomes for all pupils.

Katheryn Wilson

I am very excited to have joined the Waterside Academy governing body as a Staff Governor. I am the Deputy Headteacher and currently teach in Year 1, managing Key Stage 1.  I have worked at Waterside Academy since September 2016 and have previously worked in a range of schools - from the private sector to extremely deprived. Since joining the school I have seen many positive changes and look forward to continuing our journey.

Carrie-Anne Sturmey

I have worked for Waterside Academy since 2013 and have enjoyed the various roles I have had within our school. I currently across UKS2 as a Teaching Assistant. In addition to my role within the class, I am the lead for our support staff and a member of Waterside’s Middle Leadership Team. I am extremely excited to have the opportunity to become a Staff Governor with a link to Special Educational Needs and Behaviour. I look forward to working alongside the other governors; sharing my own views and opinions as well as that of the staff at Waterside.

Sarah Stevens

I am a solicitor and have worked in various jobs relating to children and safeguarding.  Having recently retired I have time on my hands and was looking for a new challenge. I wanted to become a school governor because of my interest in children and how  best to help them have fulfilling lives whatever their circumstances. I believe a rounded education is key to this. My own interests include music, (I am a member of 2 local women's choruses),  sports,  (walking, sailing and golf), travel and reading.  I am a keen dog lover and share the care of a mad Border Terrier which keeps me on my toes. And I am always looking for new experiences to enjoy life. I hope to bring a little of that spirit to Waterside.