Our Governors
Our Governing body has full meetings each half term. In addition to this we have committees overseeing finance and standards, which each meet once per term. Should you wish to view the minutes taken please contact the office for further information.
Governors' Long Term Vision and Plan
Our vision is to be the best school we can, by striving towards being Outstanding. While we appreciate all areas of the curriculum are important to the development of a rounded education in Upland children, our key aims will focus in the following areas:
We will maintain our commitment to a high level of personal development and wellbeing for everyone in our school.
We recognise the ever-increasing use of technology in society and the importance of
developing technologically literate children who also gain from a close interaction with a wide range of library resources.
Unlike many schools, we have extensive grounds which we will continue to develop and utilise to improve the educational experience of our children in an environmentally friendly manner.
If you would like to find out more about the role of the school Governor, then you may find this link useful:
COULD YOU BE A SCHOOL GOVERNOR?
ATTENDANCE OF GOVERNOR MEETINGS - see below
MEET OUR GOVERNORS
Please find below details of how our Governing body is structured, including the names, categories, responsibilities and terms of appointment for each Governor.
We have also provided a Register of Governor Interests and an Annual Statement of Issues for your information.
| Chair of the Governing Body - Dorothy Fane |
| Vice Chair - Laura Melsome |
| Clerk to Governors - Sue Johnson |
| Headteacher's Performance Management Chair - Laura Burton Dorothy Fane James Doherty |
Standards Committee Co Chair - Fatimah Hameer Co Chair - Katie Hutton Christina Dalingwater Hannah Cottam Laura Burton Dorothy Fane Robert Jempson Zulfikar Kermali James Doherty Quorum – 3 |
Finance Committee Chair – Robert Jempson Vice Chair – Sam Farrant Christina Dalingwater Dorothy Fane Louise Clubley Laura Melsome James Doherty Lorraine Dunger(Finance Office – attends Finance Committee meetings) Quorum - 3 |
| Governor Recruitment Panel Laura Melsome Dorothy Fane Hannah Cottam |
Pay Review Committee Zulfikar Kermali Laura Melsome Katie Hutton Robert Jempson Quorum – 3 |
SEN/Inclusion / Pupil Premium Katie Hutton Hannah Cottam |
Safeguarding Dorothy Fane Laura Melsome Fatimah Hameer |
| Health and Safety Robert Jempson Zulfikar Kermali |
Training and Development Laura Burton |
Pupil Voice Laura Melsome |
Policies Sam Farrant |
| Local Governor Forum As required |
Vision and Long Term Plan Working Party All governors |
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| Subject Link Governors (core subjects Maths and English to be monitored termly by a governor – assigned on Governors’ Audit Rota) | |||
| Computing | James Doherty | ||
| Science | Fatimah Hameer | ||
| RE | Fatimah Hameer | ||
| PE | Robert Jempson | ||
| DT | Zulfikar Kermali | ||
| Music | Laura Melsome | ||
| Art | Dorothy Fane | ||
| History | Laura Melsome | ||
| Geography | Katie Hutton | ||
| Modern Foreign Languages | Robert Jempson | ||
Christina Dalingwater - Headteacher - October 2023 Ex-officio Governor by virtue as Headteacher
Designated Safeguarding Lead
Safer Recruitment Trained
Dorothy Fane - Chair of Governors - Local Authority Governor - 10 Feb 2025 - 9 Feb 2029 - 4 year term of office
I am currently a governor at another school and I am related to an employee of Hampshire Music Service.
Safer Recruitment Trained
I am a retired Headteacher, living in the local area.
I have spent most of my career working in schools in the Gosport and Fareham area and, throughout that time, I was involved in the work of and served on several school Governing Bodies. I fully understand the importance of the Governing Body to the school and its vital role in ensuring the school’s effectiveness.
Since I retired from headship, I continued to fulfil my interest in education by working part time as a Link Tutor with Winchester, Chichester and Southampton Universities, visiting primary schools across Hampshire, to supervise Trainee Teachers while they were on School Experience.
I remain very interested in education and I firmly believe that schools must provide the best possible education for each and every child, so that they can maximise their ability in all areas. I therefore fully endorse Uplands Vision.
I very much enjoy being a member of the Governing Board at Uplands and relish the opportunity of being involved in education and working as part of the team to serve the school.
Hannah Cottam Co-opted Governor - 27 Nov 2024 - 26 Nov 2028 - 4 year term of office
Previously Staff Governor from 08 Feb 2021 - 27 Nov 2024
Appointed by Governors
I have been a member of staff since 2015; I work as part of the KS2 team in Year 5/6. My role as teacher and team leader enables me to work collaboratively with my colleagues within the really supportive environment we have at Uplands. As the subject leader for PDL, I have a committed interest in supporting children's well-being and ensuring that we work to develop and prepare our children for a healthy and successful life beyond Uplands. I have been a member of the USA since 2016 and thoroughly enjoy working within our wider school community. I hope to be able to continue this in my capacity as staff governor and I look forward to supporting the school further.
Zulfikar Kermali - Parent Governor - 25 Oct 2023 - 24 Oct 2027 - 4 year term of office
Elected by Parents
I qualified as a pharmacist in 2009 and after working for a large high street chain I settled as a manager for a supermarket pharmacy. During that time, I had the opportunity to be part of the Local Pharmaceutical Committee (LPC) helping shape pharmaceutical services across Hampshire.
In 2012, when my eldest daughter was born, I opened my first pharmacy with some friends and the second in 2014 when my youngest daughter was born. Recently, I’ve bought Opticians with my optometrist business partner and we co-manage them. I was delighted to be elected as a parent governor in 2019. I care about the education and experience my children and their peers have in school. I strongly believe that early education has a critical role in building our children’s foundations for the future. I am humbled to be part of this diverse team and hope to make a positive impact and support the school in their commitment to continuous improvement.
Mrs Katie Hutton - Co-opted Governor - 25 Nov 2024 - 24 Nov 2028 - 4 year term of office
Previous term of office as Co-opted Governor 25 Nov 2020 - 24 Nov 2024
I joined the governing body of Uplands in 2021. I have been a teacher for 19 years. I spent 16 years teaching in a junior school, and am now teaching in an infant school. I have a secure knowledge of teaching and the curriculum, and I look forward to supporting Uplands from a more behind-the-scenes role.
I am also interested in Special Educational Needs (SEN) and supporting all children to achieve their full potential within a school setting. Having grown up on the Uplands Estate, I am now settled here with my young family. Both my children attend Uplands, and I really appreciate the passion that the staff have, and their desire to give our children the best possible opportunities. I am also a member of the Uplands School Association, and enjoy participating in fundraising activities for the school.
Mrs Fatimah Hameer - Co-opted Governor - 25 Nov 2024 - 24 Nov 2028 - 4 year term of office
Previous term of office as Co-opted Governor 25 Nov 2020 - 24 Nov 2024
I was born and raised in Tanzania and I came to the UK for my university education in 2009. I am a pharmacist by profession and I have had the opportunity to work in both hospital and primary care services. I have always had a passion for teaching and education, volunteering at faith schools both here in the UK and back home in Tanzania. I thoroughly enjoy working with students and facilitating their learning accordingly. One of the primary reasons for wanting to be a school governor is to be able to engage with my local community and invest in the education and development of students. As a parent, I would like to be involved in the decision making process for a holistic approach to learning. I am grateful for the opportunity to have become a member of the Governing Board and I look forward to working with and supporting the school.
Laura Melsome - Co-opted Governor - 17 Mar 2025 - 16 Mar 2029 - 4 year term of office
I have spent most of my life in the Fareham area and went to Uplands for a couple of years, many moons ago, before moving to Portchester. My early adult years took me to North Yorkshire and then Germany, for several years, but I moved back to the area in time for both my sons to attend Uplands. While my sons were at Uplands I was a regular visitor, taking my oldest sons class for cooking, once a week, and listening to reading in my younger sons class. I was an active member of the PTA during this period. For the past 20 years I have worked in the financial sector and am currently an Account Manager with a commercial bank, where I work within the Invoice Finance team. I completed a Chartered Management Institute level 3 diploma in Principles of Management and Leadership in 2019, which gave me new skills and showed me that you are never too old to learn. For the past two years I have also been the Health and Wellbeing representative for my office, supporting colleagues, when required. I look forward to my term as a Governor and hope that my work experiences, along with my experience as a Mother and a Grandmother, help me support Uplands to be the best school that it can be.
Laura Burton - Co-opted Governor - 26th January 2022 - 25th January 2026 - 4 year term of office
Elected by the Governing Body
I live in Locks Heath, Hampshire but wanted to become a governor for a school outside of my own children’s direct learning establishments. I specifically chose Uplands as my nephew had started his school life at Uplands and saw how it had given him a great start in life.
I have worked in Human Resources for over 25 years both in Hampshire and across the UK, and been a HR Director for the past 10 years working primarily in the IT and recently Defence industries. I am a qualified coach and love interacting with people from all backgrounds. I especially have a passion for seeing people grow and develop both as adults in professional careers, but particularly of children and how their learning journey can help shape them for the future. I also volunteer with the Solent Enterprise Partnership with a secondary school in Southampton to help build links between academia and business to provide insight and information of different career pathways for school leavers.
I joined the Uplands Governing body in January 2022 and very much look forward to my term as a Co-opted Governor bringing my skills and experiences in both work and life to help to support the school on its journey to being the best it can be.
I have been married to my husband for the past 13 years and have two young children at school in Warsash and currently nursery, as well as the recent addition of a hectic springer spaniel called Bert.
Louise Clubley - Co-opted Governor - 30th March 2022 - 29th March 2026 - 4 year term of office
Elected by the Governing Body
I have been brought up in Fareham all of my life and lived in central Fareham for 50+ years, having been a past pupil of Wykeham House School and also sending my 2 daughters through the private sector. Later to become involved in the running of the finances of the school. My career has included working within a local building society and dealing with mortgage issues and buildings insurance, to now currently working within the Office for National Statistics in Titchfield collecting data. I have a keen interest in children’s education as they are our future. I am very honoured to be accepted as a governor and hope to help in many ways across the spectrum. I am currently also a Fareham Borough Councillor of which Uplands School is part of the area I represent.
Robert Jempson - Co-opted Governor - 30th March 2022 - 29th March 2026 - 4 year term of office
Elected by the Governing Body
I was a Governor for 8 years at Uplands when my children were at the school in the late 1990s and now the Grandchildren have started their educational journey at Uplands, I am delighted to have been selected to join the Governor Team again.
My career extended through Banking for a top four organisation where I became an Area Manager and then I moved into Corporate Finance looking after major clients before early Retirement. I have also been a Trustee and Governor at a large Private School where I was Chair of the Finance Committee.
I have been a resident in Fareham since I was at school and reside within the school’s catchment area.
Sam Farrant - Co-opted Governor - 20th February 2023 - 19th February 2027 - 4 year term of office
Elected by the Governing Body
I have lived in Fareham since 2005 and have 2 children at Uplands. As a qualified Chartered Engineer and Manager, I have been engaged with education and personal development from a young age and am particularly interested in developing Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics in the younger generations. I am also keen to see that the children of Uplands get the best educational start possible in life, to complement their physical, social and emotional development and become successful and rounded individuals who maximise their talents.
I have been an engineering manager throughout my career but I also hold a number of coaching and mentoring qualifications which I hope will complement my work as a Governor. I intend to bring a fresh perspective to the board and I look forward to helping Uplands to be a safe, happy and aspirational School.
Mr James Doherty - Parent Governor - 15th November 2023 to 15th November 2027 - 4 Year term of office
James has worked in education for his whole career, including helping to found UTC Portsmouth – the region’s only specialist STEM college for 14-19 year olds - since before it opened its doors in 2017, and took over as Principal in 2020.
Having studied biomedical sciences, he has carried his passion for STEM forwards through to the establishment and running of UTC Portsmouth. His background in chemistry, biochemistry and genetics and his decision to study these subjects stems from inspirational teaching received during science lessons in school.
The importance of primary education as a vehicle for enthusing young people about education is something that cannot be understated and James is excited to be a part of the Uplands Primary School governing body; a school he attended.
In his free time, James enjoys Warhammer and has been inducted into the Warhammer Wall of Heroes, speaks regularly at a local historical society and spending time with his young family.
Mrs Abbey Gravestock - Staff Governor - 18th January 2025 to 18th January 2029 - 4 Year term of office
During my 10 years as an Uplands staff member, I have had the opportunity to teach and collaborate across a range of year groups, from Year R to Year 6. This has given me a secure understanding of the curriculum offer at Uplands as well as a clear understanding of our school vision and what makes us great. Currently, I am a Year 5/6 class teacher of Hawks class. As well as my role as a class teacher, I am responsible for co-ordinating and developing the enrichment opportunities within the PE curriculum so that all children have a range of opportunities to further develop their skills and participation in PE. I therefore am committed to ensuring our Uplands community takes part in events in our local area and experiences the joy of representing our school. It is a privilege to be a part of our governing body and I look forward to supporting the school further in my capacity as staff governor.
Sue Johnson - Clerk to Governors
I have worked as Clerk to the Governors at Uplands Primary School for a number of years. My role is to provide administrative support and offer legislative advice as required, to the governing body. I find the clerk role very interesting and enjoy supporting governors in their role.
Please click on this link to for the Hampshire Governors page https://www.hants.gov.uk/educationandlearning/governors
Previous Governors
Robin Tucker - Vice Chair of Governors - Co-opted Governor - 05 Feb 2024 - 26 Sept 2024 (previous term 05 Feb 2020 - 04 Feb 2024)
Member of the Finance Committee and the Standards Committee - Previously Chair of Finance Committee
Chair of the Headteachers Performance Management Panel
Governor for Pupil Voice
Link Governor for PE
Uplands Primary School: Register of Governors’ Interests
| Name | Name of Business Including: if you are a governor elsewhere (please include school name) related / married to member of staff (please include staff name) employed at school |
Nature of Business | Nature of Interest | Date of Appointment or Acquisition | Date of Cessation of Interest | Date of Entry |
| Laura Burton | None | N/A | None | N/A | N/A | 02.10.2024 |
| Hannah Cottam | Staff Member – Employed at the school | N/A | Staff | N/A | N/A | 02.10.2024 |
| Louisa Clubley | Fareham Borough Councilor | N/A | Local Government | N/A | N/A | 02.10.2024 |
| Christina Dalingwater | Headteacher - Employed at the school | N/A | Head Teacher | N/A | N/A | 02.10.2024 |
| James Doherty | UTC Principal and governor on another Governing Body. | N/A | Governor | N/A | N/A | 02.10.2024 |
| Dorothy Fane | Governor on another school Governing Body. Related to an employee of Hampshire Music Service. |
N/A |
Governor Relative |
N/A | N/A | 02.10.2024 |
| Sam Farrant | None | N/A | None | N/A | N/A | 02.10.2024 |
| Abbey Gravestock | Staff Member – Employed at the school | N/A | Staff | N/A | N/A | 18.01.2025 |
| Fatimah Hameer | None | N/A | None | N/A | N/A | 02.10.2024 |
| Katie Hutton | None | N/A | None | N/A | N/A | 02.10.2024 |
| Robert Jempson | None | N/A | None | N/A | N/A | 02.10.2024 |
| Zulifikar Kermali | None | N/A | None | N/A | N/A | 02.10.2024 |
| Laura Melsome | None | N/A | None | N/A | N/A | 02.10.2024 |
| Robin Tucker | None | N/A | None | N/A | Resigned from governor role 26.09.2024 | 02.10.2024 |
| Sue Johnson Clerk to Governors (non-governor) | Local Authority Clerk | N/A | None | N/A | N/A | 11.09.2024 |