Wadhurst CE Primary School & 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.

My wife and I moved to Wadhurst in 2021 along with our two boys who both attend Wadhurst Primary School and Nursery seeking more space and freedom in the countryside for them to grow up in. I am an owner and Director of a media company and hope to bring experience from a general business background to the Board of Governors. Having spent a number of years as a Junior Coach at Sevenoaks Hockey Club it has always been a huge pleasure to see children thrive and develop with learning and with that it is a privilege to be a very small part of guiding the future of my children and their peers at Wadhurst Primary School.

I look forward to contributing to the very bright future for the school and playing a part in ensuring children, parents and staff continue to be proud of the setting, the school community and its achievements.

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.

My family and I moved to Wadhurst in 2018 and I currently have three children at the school. 

I have a career in public policy spanning education, health and the economy. I ensure engagement and evidence inform decisions that shape the future and I advocate for policies that are sustainable and promote social and cultural wellbeing. 

I love outdoor adventures and I am passionate about encouraging environmental consciousness, resilience and active citizenship.