Vanessa is CEO of the Aspire Academy Trust which has 29 primary schools in Cornwall. Vanessa has over 30 years of experience in primary education in schools in Cornwall, including fifteen years of executive leadership responsibilities. During this time Vanessa led schools to outstanding and moved schools from an Ofsted category to good.  Vanessa has wide experience in running small rural schools in Cornwall and has extensive experience of being a governor and governance.

On a personal note, Vanessa is a founder of an African children’s charity. She runs a large children's centre, focusing on providing education and healthcare for children affected by HIV, and grassroots projects for women and girls in the Mombasa slum areas of Kenya.  

Vanessa is passionate about education and upholds the values of integrity and fairness. She believes all children deserve a chance to shine and is delighted to be able to support Whitstone Primary School and its community.  

Dominic trained to teach at Canon Williamson CE Secondary School in 2004 via the Graduate Teacher Programme. He was Head of science at Salford City Academy for four years, and at the same time was a Lead Practitioner in science for the Academies Network, affiliated to the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust. In 2008, Dominic went to work for the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust full-time as a Programme Coordinator, where he led the Maximising Achievement at Key Stage 4 programme and national programme on numeracy. At the same time, he was asked to join St Philip's CE Primary School, a National Teaching school, as a Vice Chair of Governors during a time when the school was leading support for a large number of Primary Schools across the North West. In 2011, he returned to work in a school, as an Assistant Headteacher at Little Lever School, Bolton, Greater Manchester where he was later promoted to Deputy Headteacher. Dominic remained at Little Lever School until his appointment as Headteacher of Budehaven Community School in April 2019, taking up post in September 2019.  He has a vested interest in the community as Headteacher of the local Secondary School, and is keen to work with Whitstone staff, pupils and members of the community in the future.

Graeme Plunkett

Graeme is a Senior School Improvement Officer with Cornwall Council. Having grown up, and attended school, in Cornwall, he has worked in education for almost 40 years, including 16 years of senior leadership and headship in secondary schools. He has served as a governor and also worked with interim Executive Boards.  Graeme has worked in schools in Cambridgeshire, Bedford, London and Cornwall and returned from headship in the South East to take his current post with Cornwall Council.

Having had three children who were educated in Cornish schools, Graeme is passionate about achieving the highest quality of provision for young people in the Duchy. He is a keen supported of the arts and, as an English teacher by training, the importance of literacy and of developing a love of reading.

Caroline Stone - Clerk to Governors