The Wapping and Shadwell Secondary Education Trust (WSSET)
GOVERNANCE
Wapping High School is run by The Wapping and Shadwell Secondary Education Trust (WSSET), a not for profit organisation run by parents, local residents and business leaders who are determined to improve the choice of education provision for local children. The role of the Trust’s Governing Body is to provide strategic management, and to act as a “critical friend”, supporting the work of the headteacher and other staff.
The Governing Body and its committees meet once every half term. Working parties typically meet once per term. All Governors are members of the Full Governing Body.
In addition Governors are members of at least one of the two sub-committees and working parties, the terms of reference for which are reviewed annually. All committees report to the Full Governing Body.
Self-evaluation – The full Governing Body meets annually in the autumn term to self-evaluate their performance using guidance provided by the National Governors Association, the Department for Education and Ofsted. The outcomes from the self-evaluation inform the objectives set for governance in the School Development plan.
The history of the Wapping and Shadwell Secondary Education Trust (WSSET)
The Trust was originally set up by a group of parents with the specific intention of campaigning for a new school for Wapping, Shadwell and Limehouse. The group has been actively campaigning since 2009 and founded the Trust in October 2010.
The campaign for Wapping High School was supported by more than 500 families representing over 700 children. We were also supported by Jim Fitzpatrick MP, London Assembly Member John Biggs and Dame Helen Mirren.
In October 2010, the Department for Education (DfE) approved our application to open a Free School. The Trust worked closely with the DfE to get the school ready for opening in September 2012. Following the successful opening of the school, the Trust continues to run the charity that oversees the school.
Declaration of Business Interests
Financial accountability
The Headteacher is the designated Accounting Officer of the academy and has overall responsibility for the day to day financial management of the Charitable Company. The Headteacher has delegated responsibility for low values of expenditure to specific budget holders who are each responsible for managing their own departments within the constraints of their allocated budgets. A system of financial controls is in place to manage this process, the robustness of which is reviewed by independent Internal Auditors.
The school’s financial accounts are independently audited on an annual basis by Price Bailey. Internal auditing of the school’s financial systems and procedures is conducted throughout the year by Price Bailey.
Governors are required to disclose any relevant business and pecuniary interests at the start of each meeting. With the exception of the Headteacher and staff governor who are both receive a salary from the school. None of the governors currently have any relevant business or pecuniary interests.
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Higher Paid Staff
Higher Paid Staff
The number of employees whose employee benefits (excluding employer pension costs) exceeded £100,000 was:
2020/2021 No. | ||
In the band (£120,000 – £130,000) | 1 |
Contacting the governing body
We love hearing from students, parents and the wider community.
If you wish to contact the governing body or have any
The chair of governors is Kerstyn Comley and can be contacted directly via Chair@wappinghigh.org. If you have any complaints please refer to the school’s complaints policy. It may be more appropriate to contact your child’s tutor, head of house or the Headteacher in the first instance.
Agendas, minutes and papers available upon request.
Meetings 2020 - 2021
| Meeting dates for 2020/21 | ||||||||
| 17/09/2020 | Thursday | 04:45 | Safeguarding / FGB meeting | |||||
| 12/11/2020 | Thursday | 06:00 | Governor Self assessment | |||||
| 10/12/2020 | Thursday | 06:00 | FGB (AGM) | |||||
| 18/03/2021 | Thursday | 06:00 | FGB | |||||
| 08/07/2021 | Thursday | 06:00 | FGB | |||||
| 06/10/2020 | Tuesday | 04:00 | Learning committee | |||||
| 25/02/2021 | Thursday | 04:00 | Learning committee | |||||
| 06/05/2021 | Thursday | 04:00 | Learning committee | |||||
| 05/11/2020 | Thursday | 06:00 | Resource Committee | |||||
| 11/03/2021 | Thursday | 06:00 | Resource Committee | |||||
| 24/06/2021 | Thursday | 06:00 | Resource Committee | |||||
Wapping High committee meetings attendance record 2019/2020
Wapping High committee meetings attendance record 2019/2020
| Name | Date of appointment/ resignation | Role | Meetings Attended | Out of a possible |
| Jon Cheyne | 19/10/2010 | Governor | 4 | 4 |
| Kersytn Comley | 19/10/2010 | Chair of Governors | 4 | 4 |
| Jeevan Dhoot | 01/09/2018 | Governor | 3 | 4 |
| Jake Kemp | 19/10/2010 | Governor | 4 | 4 |
| Gary Nelson | 03/07/2017 | Headteacher | 3 | 3 |
| Joanne Aristide | 01/03/2019 | Governor | 4 | 4 |
| James Grant | 01/09/2018 – 12/10/2020 | Governor | 4 | 4 |
| Julie Varley | 01/09/2019 | Governor | 4 | 4 |
| Tiffany Ingram | 22/11/2018 | Governor | 3 | 3 |
| Marie McMahon | 01/03/2019 | Governor | 4 | 4 |
| Meera Shah | 01/09/2018 | Governor | 4 | 4 |
| Laura Mills | 01/09/2015 | Governor | 3 | 4 |
| Resources Committee | ||||
| Jon Cheyne | 19/10/2010 | Chair | 2 | 3 |
| Kersytn Comley | 19/10/2010 | Governor | 3 | 3 |
| Jeevan Dhoot | 01/09/2018 | Governor | 3 | 3 |
| Jake Kemp | 19/10/2010 | Governor | 2 | 3 |
| Gary Nelson | 03/07/2017 | Governor | 3 | 3 |
| Joanne Aristide | 01/03/2019 | Governor | 2 | 3 |
| Learning Committee | ||||
| Joanne Aristide | Governor | 1 | 1 | |
| Kersytn Comley | Governor | 3 | 3 | |
| Jake Kemp | 19/10/2010 | Governor | 3 | 3 |
| Gary Nelson | 03/07/2017 | Governor | 3 | 3 |
| James Grant | 01/09/2018 – 12/10/2020 | Governor | 3 | 3 |
| Julie Varley | 01/09/2019 | Governor | 3 | 3 |
| Tiffany Ingram | 22/11/2018 | Governor | 3 | 3 |
| Marie McMahon | 01/03/2019 | Governor | 3 | 3 |
| Meera Shah | 01/09/2018 | Chair | 3 | 3 |
| Laura Mills | 01/09/2015 | Governor | 2 | 3 |
Pupil premium
Click here to find out the impact of our Pupil Premium funding.
Catch-Up
Click Here to find out the impact of our Catch-Up Funding
Governance documents
Wapping Funding Agreement 28 June 2012
Annual Statement of Accounts Ending 31 Aug 2021
Download our Annual Statement
Become a governor
Current Vacancies
We are looking for two new governors to support our governing body. In
If you have an interest in, and commitment to, improving education and would like to make a difference within your community, please register your interest in becoming a governor by contacting us. Don’t hesitate to get in touch If you have any questions about a governor’s role or responsibilities.
What skills, experience and commitment are required?
Governors attend twelve meetings a year and are asked to support and enrich the school in a range of other ways including:
- Undertaking school visits, at least once a term, outside meetings.
- Taking on a ‘link’ governor role, liaising with other governors in the locality on areas such as finance, data, special educational needs and literacy.
- Sitting on panels related to the school.
- Participating in governor training and development.
We are looking for local people who would be committed to supporting Wapping High School’s goals. You need time, enthusiasm and a passion for helping our students reach their full potential. A full programme of induction, training and support is provided and expenses are covered.
Method of recruitment and appointment or election of Governors
The Members of the Trust are responsible for the appointment of Governors including staff governors, except three co-opted Governors and two parent Governors. In the event that these positions are not filled, the members of the Trust are able to appoint to these positions. Except for the Headteacher, Governors are subject to retirement after 4 years of service but are eligible for re-appointment or re-election at the meeting at which they retire.
Please click on the link for an application form to become a governor or to nominate someone.