Testimonials

'I have known Anne for several years in her capacity as a School Governance Quality Assurance Officer with Essex County Council.

My role as Chair of Governors to a small rural Church primary school is demanding and challenging in many ways. In that respect, Anne has always been an extremely reliable and up to date source of information, guidance and support and has delivered this in a sensitive and professional manner.

Her own personal experiences of governance and taking the Chair, give her a real understanding of the many difficulties facing governors today. In that respect, she is appreciative of the need to give timely and clear advice in a sympathetic manner, offering practical solutions to both short and long term issues.

Governing body development and improvement has been a key issue for us and Anne has guided us through areas such as governor recruitment, our own skills audit, a training review and the re-constitution of the governing body. Her guidance has enabled us to more accurately assess our own performance and look at key areas in order of priority.

We have received in-house training from her on the implementation and use of GSET and Anne also delivered to us a hands-on approach training session to give governors more confidence with their classroom monitoring visits. Her training is tailored to suit the needs of the individual body and is therefore effective and gives value for money.

Anne’s knowledge and her caring, yet professional approach have been essential to me personally when dealing with various complicated and delicate issues. She is completely trustworthy and reliable and I would not hesitate to recommend her services to any school, governor or governing body.'

Caroline Page

Chair of Governors

Tolleshunt D’Arcy St Nicholas C of E (VA) Primary School



'As my term of office as a Governor at Baddow Hall Junior School comes to an end after 12 years, over 10 of which were as Chairman of the Governing Body, I would like to take this opportunity to thank our Clerk, Mrs. Anne Whelpdale for all her support and involvement during that time. 

I would wish to put on record my appreciation for all her excellent work, not only pre, during and after the subcommittee and Full Governing Body meetings, but at all other times when I and the other members were able to draw on her in depth knowledge of the sometimes onerous requirements of Governors.   She was always available to discuss and advise on the myriad problems that we often faced. 

Thank you Anne, from myself and all the other Governors.' 

Roy Bellman

Chairman of Governors

Baddow Hall Junior School  2001 to September 2011.



'Anne has provided an exemplary clerking service to our governing body for considerably longer than the 10 years I have been one of its governors.  She ensures matters are dealt with at the appropriate time in governors’ meetings and always produces excellent minutes that include evidence to demonstrate how governors fulfil their role.  Rarely does a meeting go by without Anne being called upon to provide additional or explanatory information to us to help with our understanding of governance matters.   Her knowledge of school governance is immense; she strives to keep up-to-date with current regulations and requirements and ensures that governors are aware of these.   Governors have absolute confidence in Anne and know that any advice she provides will be accurate, current and relevant. 

 In recent years as I have taken on more responsibility within the governing body, Anne has proved to be a huge help to me personally.  At all times I have found her to be an invaluable source of advice and she is always happy to act as a sounding board or to talk through any issues that may arise.  The value of her support cannot be underestimated.

As well as providing an excellent clerking service, Anne has also delivered governing body training sessions, both to small groups of governors and to the whole governing body, and these have always been very useful and well received. 

Anne’s professionalism is second to none and I would not hesitate to recommend her services to others.  I am happy to provide further information if required.'

Jo Hampton

Chair of Governors

Baddow Hall Junior School  - September 2011 to present