Mr Al Kingsley
Governor Category: Chair of Governors
Dates of office: 01/09/23
Mrs Rebecca Waters
Governor Category:
Headteacher.
Dates of office: 1/12/2020
I love being the Headteacher of Dogsthorpe Infant School. I started at the school as a newly qualified teacher in Sept 2001 and have been instrumental in school improvement throughout those years. I am proud to have been at the helm as full-time Headteacher since April 2015 and in less than a year led the school out of 'Requires Improvement' into becoming a 'Good' School' in February 2016.
I feel very privileged to work with such an amazing staff team and very supportive governors all of whom have the school at heart. Our aim is to make the school the very best it can be and to ensure that as one team all of our children and their families Dream, Believe, Shine.
Mrs Julie Tate
Governor Category:
Dates of office: 21/09/21–
I am a retired as a teacher of Religious Studies at a local secondary school where I also held pastoral roles. I am married to a retired English teacher and have 2 grown up daughters, one of whom is a teacher in a Special School. In the past I have been the chair of governors at my daughters’ primary school and a staff governor.
I believe that every child deserves a really good start to their education and I have been very impressed by my experience of Dogsthorpe Infant School. I hope I can use my educational experience to help the school continue to from strength to strength.
Dr Lee Botrill
Governor Category:
Local Governor
Dates of office: 21/09/21–
After periods working in Higher Education at the University of Exeter and following a short period working in the Head Offices of the Dixons Stores Group, where I realised the corporate life was not really my thing; I qualified as a teacher and moved to Peterborough in 2000. I have lived in Dogsthorpe since 2007 and am currently the Head of the Humanities Faculty and a long serving staff governor, in a local secondary school.
I first became involved with Dogsthorpe infants in 2014, when the first of my children started the school. My son and daughter went on to enjoy their time at the school immensely. As a parent, I felt it did an excellent job in identifying their individual needs and tailoring the teaching and learning they received, enabling both to get the best possible start to their formal education. At the same time it provided the care centred, school environment we were looking for as parents.
Now it is time for me to offer what I can in return, supporting the school and its staff to continue the good work and to further grow, in order to offer the best possible provision to our local community.
Ms Cheryl Melkowski
Governor Category:
Local Governor
Dates of office: 12/07/22
I currently work for the Peterborough Library Service, with most of my shifts being at Dogsthorpe Library just across the road from Dogsthorpe Infant School.
I joined the board to support and encourage the pupils in their reading and educational development after seeing many of them coming into the library.
I firmly believe that the local community, need to do all they can to support the school and the pupils in their development. I look forward to working with the pupils, staff and governors.
Miss Toni Gattuso
Governor Category:
Governor Meeting Attendee
Dates of office: 6/12/21
I am the Deputy Head teacher at Dogsthorpe Infant school and I am passionate about how children learn. I work closely with the KS1 staff and children in my role as a Learning and Teaching Manager and love teaching in class too.
Prior to working at the school, I completed a degree and Masters in Education whilst raising three children as a single parent. I started at Dogsthorpe Infant school as a teaching assistant ready to put all the theory that I had learnt into practice! It wasn’t long before I wanted to be a fully-fledged teacher!
I am committed to community that our school serves and believe every child deserves a positive school experience that will provide a toolkit that can be used for the future.
Cllr Ishfaq Hussain
Governor Category
Local Governor
Dates of office 30/3/22
.I am a city councillor and represent the Dogsthorpe Ward. I also sit on the cabinet in the town hall as an advisor. I have grown to enjoy my role in the council and on various other boards. Having lived in Dogsthorpe for over 18 years, my eldest children attended Dogsthorpe Infants. As a parent I always found the staff to be professional, caring and really engaging with students.
I truly want the children in Dogsthorpe to have the best start in life with every opportunity afforded to them. Having graduated myself with a Masters Degree in Medicinal Chemistry and managed a couple of successful businesses I understand the importance of a good education and a hard-working mentality. Characteristics Dogsthorpe Infants can help to instil into our future generation.
Mrs Karen Garinger-Smith
Governor Category
Staff Governor
Dates of office 30/3/22
I originally had a career within the hotel industry in both London and Heathrow working my way up to Management level. After I had my children, I decided that I needed a change in focus and career. Whilst still working, I then completed a course to become a Teaching Assistant and worked in 2 schools in Harlow, Essex before relocating to Cambridgeshire.
I joined Dogsthorpe Infant School in 2016 as a temporary Teaching Assistant. I then got the opportunity to join the school on a permanent basis and jumped at the chance. Having had a few years in the role of Teaching Assistant and with the support of the school I began to train as a Teacher. I am now in my second year of teaching in Reception and feel that throughout my career development DIS is the perfect fit for me.
My goal at DIS is to give every child the best start in life, to give them experiences they have never had and to build a solid basis for their future learning.
Mrs Tina Gardner
Clerk of Governor Meetings
We currently have a Parent Governor vacancy.
If you would like to find out more about this exciting role please contact the Clerk to the Governors, Mrs Tina Gardner om 566849 or click the 'contact our Chair of Governors box to register your interest via email.
