Governing board
The Governing Board plays an important role in the leadership and success of The Henry Cort Community College. Working closely with the Principal and senior leaders, governors provide support, challenge and strategic oversight to ensure that every student receives the best possible education and opportunities.
Governors are volunteers who bring a wide range of skills, experience and perspectives from education, business, public service and the local community. Together, they help shape the long-term direction of the college, promote high standards and ensure that resources are used effectively to support student achievement and wellbeing.
What Does the Governing Board Do?
The Governing Board's role is strategic rather than operational. Governors do not manage the day-to-day running of the college. Instead, they work with leaders to ensure that the college remains ambitious, accountable and focused on continuous improvement.
The Governing Board is responsible for:
- Setting the strategic vision and direction of the college.
- Holding senior leaders to account for educational performance and student outcomes.
- Monitoring the quality of education and student wellbeing.
- Ensuring public funds are used effectively and responsibly.
- Approving key policies and reviewing college performance.
- Supporting and challenging leaders to drive continuous improvement.
- Representing the interests of students, parents, carers and the wider community.
Through this work, governors help ensure that the college remains a safe, inclusive and successful environment in which every student can thrive.
Who Are We?
The Henry Cort Community College Governing Board is made up of individuals from a range of professional and community backgrounds who are committed to supporting the college and its students.
The board currently comprises:
- Co-opted Governors appointed by the Governing Board.
- Parent Governors elected by parents and carers.
- A Staff Governor elected by college staff.
- A Local Authority Governor appointed by Hampshire County Council.
- The Principal, who serves as an ex-officio governor.
This mix of experience and expertise helps ensure that the Governing Board benefits from a broad range of perspectives when making decisions and setting strategic priorities.
How We Work
The Full Governing Board meets regularly throughout the academic year to review college performance, monitor progress against priorities and make strategic decisions.
In addition, governors may serve on committees or panels that focus on specific areas of governance, including:
- Staff Pay and Performance Management
- Governor Discipline Panels
- Other statutory panels and committees, as required
Governors also visit the college, engage with staff and students, and participate in training to ensure they remain informed and effective in their role.
Governance Information
To support transparency and accountability, the following information is available below:
- Governing Board Membership
- Terms of Office
- Governor Responsibilities and Areas of Oversight
- Register of Business and Pecuniary Interests
- Governor Attendance Records
We are grateful to all governors for the time, expertise and commitment they give to supporting the continued success of The Henry Cort Community College.
|
Name |
Category |
Start date |
Current Term of Office Ends |
Responsibilities |
|
Ms Tina Woodcock |
Co-opted Governor | 27 March 2024 | 26 March 2028 |
|
|
Mr Chris Rice |
Principal |
17 June 2024 |
— |
|
| Mrs Kay Dawkins | Co-opted Governor |
17 July 2024 | 16 July 2028 |
|
| Mr Peter Boon | Co-opted Governor |
05 February 2026 | 04 February 2030 | |
|
Mr Malcolm Brand |
Co-opted Governor |
17 July 2023 |
16 July 2027 |
|
| Mr Pete Cruden | Co-opted Governor | 11 September 2025 | 10 September 2029 |
|
| Ms Kathryn Fidler | Co-opted Governor | 05 February 2026 | 04 February 2030 | |
| Mr Alan Schreiber | Co-opted Governor |
05 February 2026 | 04 February 2030 | |
| Mrs Celine Lecomte | Parent Governor |
22 January 2025 | 21 January 2029 |
|
| Mr Rob Watters | Staff Governor | 11 September 2025 | 10 September 2029 | |
| Mr Richard Swain | Clerk |
|
Register of governor interests
| Governor name | Entity* | Nature of interest | Date of appointment or acquisition | Date of cessation of interest (if applicable) |
| Peter Boon | Department of Education | Relative employed | 05/02/2026 | |
| Hampshire County Council | Schools independent appeals panel | |||
| Kay Dawkins | Hampshire County Council | Schools independent appeals panel | ||
| Alan Schreiber | Hampshire County Council and Southampton City Council | Schools independent appeals panel | 05/02/2026 | |
| Richard Swain | Hampshire County Council | Local Authority Clerk | 01/09/2022 | |
| Newtown C of E Primary | Parent governor and vice-chair | 01/02/2021 | ||
| Tina Woodcock | Governor Services | Employee | 04/12/2010 | |
| Hampshire and IOW ICB | Employee | 01/04/2025 | ||
| Hampshire County Council | Foster Panel Member | |||
| Hamble School | Exam Invigilator | |||
| GENsNYC (Special needs youth club) | Committee Chair | 09/01/2026 | ||
| Federation of Bendenham & Holbrook Primary School | Other governance role | 10/02/2023 | 10/01/2027 |
* Including: Governor elsewhere, related or married to a member of staff or employed at school
Governing board meeting attendance during the academic year 2025/26
| Name | Meetings Attended | Resigned |
| Tina Woodcock | 9/9 | |
| Kay Dawkins | 8/9 | |
| Charlie Henderson | 6/9 | October 2026 |
| Carl Stanton | 4/9 | September 2026 |
| Sylwia Strzelec | 4/5 | March 2026 |
| Kathryn Fidler | 5/6 | |
| Victoria Popham | 3/5 | June 2026 |
| Alan Schreiber | 5/6 | |
| Peter Cruden | 6/6 | |
| Malcolm Brand | 6/9 | |
| Kelly Denton | 1/1 | September 2025 |
| Rob Watters | 8/9 | |
| Chris Rice | 9/9 |
Review Information
Last reviewed: October 2026
Next review due: October 2027