Wadhurst CE Primary School and Nursery

I’m a Londoner by birth and my first career was as a research scientist, working for 21 years firstly as a space scientist at the University of Kent and then for the Ministry of Defence developing tanks. In 2009 I left that work to became a vicar, originally serving in rural Kent. I came to Wadhurst in January 2019 as the new vicar, and that made me also Ex-Officio Foundation Governor at the school with responsibility for helping the school in the areas of RE and school ethos.

I came with some experience of school governance having served for over six years on the governing body of the Church of England primary school in my previous parish, where I was the Safeguarding Governor. I view working with schools as one of the most stimulating aspects of my role in the community and I thoroughly enjoy coming in to the school to take weekly Acts of Worship (which I usually do with my wife, Heather), and on other occasions such as helping with science week.

I am a co-opted governor having originally been appointed as a parent governor when all three of my children attended Wadhurst Primary School. Over the years it has been my privilege to serve in various Governor groups, committees and to have previously been chair of governors.

I have an interest in welfare issues at school and am keen that Wadhurst Primary School continues to play a strong part in our community.

I’m a mum of three little ones and our eldest daughter started Reception at Wadhurst Primary in 2020.  We recently located to Cousley Wood from London (via Tunbridge Wells) and we are really enjoying settling into East Sussex life. With our children set to be pupils of the school over the next few years, I’m really keen to be involved and do all I can to be an active part of our school and Governing board, which is why I am so pleased to be a newly appointed parent Governor of the school. 

Outside of being a Mum, I have a professional career spanning over 20 years in PR and Publicity, working to devise, implement and deliver full spectrum marketing and communications strategies for brands, influencers and high profile celebrities.

Following the birth of my first born, I retrained as a hypnobirthing teacher where I support and educate pregnant people to prepare for the births of their babies.  I have my own business, The Birth Thing, and I’ve spent the past five years building up a community to support expectant and new parents as they transition into parenthood.  I host regular meet ups and support groups, as well as teaching my antenatal courses.

As a daughter of a recently retired primary school headteacher, education has been a big part of my life. I have always admired my mother’s passion and commitment as a teacher and now I have children of my own, I can understand the fundamental importance of primary education even more. My short experience of our school so far has inspired me to want to be more involved in supporting the school to achieve our collective goals as I can already see what a huge role it will play in our family’s life and every other family who chooses Wadhurst Primary School.  I’m excited to see the school grow and evolve over the next few years and hope to use some of my experience and enthusiasm to support the school where I can.

I have been a Foundation Governor since 2012 and am currently chair of the Teaching Learning Committee.

I’ve had a varied career in education working as a teacher and leader in primary schools and children’s centres, both in the UK and overseas. My particular interest is in early childhood development and literacy which has led me to work as a local authority advisor and for Ofsted. When I became a parent, I took a break from teaching but did not give up learning, studying for a Masters degree. I also help run Jellybeans, the toddler group for Wadhurst church.

I have a young son who loves being at Wadhurst Primary.

I am a newly appointed Foundation Stage Governor which means that I attend the local Church and support the school in considering the spiritual development for our children as part of a holistic education and develop our connections with the local community.

I am a Doctor in Educational, Child and Adolescent Psychology and have worked as an Educational Psychologist across the South East for nearly a decade. I am interested in the connections, relationships and systems that we are all part of and how we can support children in a whole range of ways to thrive and feel confident within their own individuality. I am very excited to be joining the Wadhurst Governing Body and hope to support the school to continue to be a valuable part of the village and provide an excellent education, in the broadest sense of the word, to our children.

I have two young children who keep me on my toes, I help with Jellybeans, the parent and toddler group run by the church, I am involved in local Friends of the Earth climate change activism and love music.