Trustee Elected Governor/Chair Person
I was elected by the Poppy Hill Trustees to represent the local community and St Mary’s Church, Henlow, and now Chair the Local Governing Body. I have lived in Henlow for over 45 years and both of my sons attended Henlow Middle School, which evolved into Henlow Academy.
I am now retired, but for 16 years worked in marketing, in the life assurance industry, before setting up my own consultancy business. For the next 30 years I worked for companies in financial services, in the retail and leisure sectors, and for central Government. For much of the last 20 years I have undertaken consultancy assignments throughout Europe and Africa.
The Poppy Hill schools share a wonderful ethos based on inspiring and enabling students to fulfil their own unique potential, and I am honoured to have the chance to support them in my current role.
Parent Governor
I'm a new parent governor and am excited to help out in anyway I can. I've previously been on the Meppershall Preschool committee and was chair of the committee at the start of the pandemic, I learnt lots about dealing with staff and helping children in my time on this committee. My daughter went to Henlow a few years ago and my son is currently at Meppershall Academy. I'm a software engineer and have worked in this sector for other 30 years, having started before the internet took off and worked alongside it's growth.
Parent Governor
I am delighted to start my new role as a parent governor. My son has been attending Henlow Academy since year 5, he is now in year 9 and is staying there for the rest of his secondary education.
My professional background is in education and psychology. I previously worked as a teacher of English and German in secondary schools and then as a supply teacher in both primary and secondary schools, teaching a variety of subjects, whereby I enjoyed being a team member in a school environment.
My special interest is in neuroscience and child development. I currently work as a private neuroplasticity therapist for families of children with additional needs, predominantly diagnosed and undiagnosed autism, communication, learning and behaviour challenges and trauma. It is very rewarding to see my clients have profound and lasting improvements in communication, learning and behaviour.
I believe that a harmonious relationship between schools and families and a nurturing school environment is a must for children’s wellbeing and progress and am hoping to help foster this relationship and nurturing environment in my role as a parent governor.
I am really excited to be able to support the growth of the trust and its staff and pupils.
Trustee Elected Governor
I am married with two grown up daughters and two grandchildren. Now a semi-retired teacher with almost 40 years experience of education, I served on the Senior Leadership Team of a large secondary school as Assistant Headteacher. During that time I was responsible for a number of aspects of school improvement which involved significant whole school developments. I was also a school reviewer (‘mock Ofsteds’) for an organisation which supports schools on their journey of improvement - this afforded me the privilege of being able to work with a number of schools in the local area as we supported each other in driving up standards.
It is my absolute belief that children only get one chance at their education and therefore they deserve the very best chance schools can offer. This is best delivered through schools which actively seek to inspire young people; encourage high expectations and support pupils by encouraging aspirational goals for their futures. I am immensely proud of the young people whom I taught, many of whom are now doing some amazing things in a range of careers.
I am also a minister in the Church of England (Reader). In addition to leading worship in church on Sundays I also regularly lead collective worship in Meppershall school. I have been a governor of two Church of England schools and see my role as one of offering support and challenge to the school and its leadership, that they might deliver the very best ‘all round’ development of all children in school.
Henlow Staff Governor
Parent Governor
Parent Governor
Meppershall Staff Governor