Winhills School Governors | Winhills Primary Academy

Alan Ball- Chair of the Board

Sandra Gill - Chair of the local governing body

I was brought up in St Neots and have seen the town expand dramatically over the years.

I have been a school governor since 2010, firstly as a parent governor at Middlefield when it was a community primary school and latterly as Chair of the Winhills Local Governing Body (LGB). I supported both schools through their transition to Academy status and seen the growth of the Diamond Learning Partnership Trust (DLPT) to what it is today.

I have 2 children; both of whom flourished and enjoyed their time at a DLPT school, from joining the Reception class through to leaving at the end of Yr 6.

I have a busy full-time job which involves me commuting to London but it's on these train journeys that I enjoy time to read a book or catch-up on that TV program I missed the other evening, on my phone.

At work I am a voluntary member of an Education Outreach Program which is mainly aimed at colleges but has recently expanded into secondary schools. The program can include pairing with a mentor, interview techniques and depending on the course, a “Dragon’s Den” presentation that is marked and feedback given.

When I'm not being Mum's taxi, or the dreadful person who reminds the children that homework needs to be done (properly), I enjoy pottering in the garden, sewing and meeting up with friends for coffee.

John Turner- Head of School

I have been working in education for a number of years in various different roles. I started working as a Teaching Assistant before completing my PGCE in Primary Education. On completing this, I spent the first years of my teaching career at Middlefield Primary Academy in Key Stage 2. Having spent a number of years teaching here, I then took on the role of subject leader for PE and then Maths, before becoming a Phase Leader. As Middlefield became part of the DLPT, I became the Assistant Headteacher working closely with the Headteacher. After two years working as Assistant Headteacher and then Deputy Headteacher, I became the Associate Head of School. Here I helped build on the Outstanding Ofsted that we received. Alongside this role, I also worked closely as a consultant to Bedfordshire Schools by supporting Subject Leads as well as helping lead training for them. Whilst at Middlefield, I completed the Mathematics Specialist Teacher program (MaST) and started the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH).

At the start of September 2017, I moved across and started my new role here at Winhills and I am looking forward to getting to know the children and the community of Winhills.

Outside of school, I enjoy participating and watching many different sports. Another love of mine is the countryside and I enjoy walking out or running taking in the fresh air.

Adam Gross- Deputy Head Teacher.

After spending time working as a Teaching Assistant, I began my teaching career in Milton Keynes working as a class teacher and subject leader across Key Stage 2. After two years, I joined The Round House Primary Academy and spent three years working in Year 6 as a class teacher, whilst also working as a Mathematics specialist and subject leader, the phase leader for upper key stage 2, and a Subject Leader in Education with schools across Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire.

I joined Winhills in September 2016 as Assistant Headteacher and class teacher for Year 6. I am looking forward to working with the children at Winhills, and helping to inspire them to achieve their full potential.

I have a BA (Hons) degree in History and Politics, a PGCE in Primary Education with Languages, and I am currently in the second year of the Mathematics Specialist Teacher program (MaST) at the University of Northampton.

Outside of school, I am an avid cyclist who regularly competes across the south of England. I also enjoy watching sports, listening to music and reading.

Jane Larratt

I am a Semi Retired Health Visitor with extensive experience in both rural and urban areas. I have for the past ten years worked in London in some of the most deprived areas and have always worked closely with the schools my client group will attend. I always have a student Nurse, Student Health Visitor or trainee GP with me wherever I go.

I have enjoyed being a Practice Mentor during my time as a Health Visitor and I also have qualifications and experience as a Registered Mental Nurse, Registered General Nurse and Registered Midwife, which have proved invaluable to my Health Visiting Practice.

I have undertaken many roles in the NHS and have been a senior manager during my long career; I have seen many changes throughout this time and believe that we have to work through the changes for the benefit of our clients /patients.

I feel my back ground in early years will be of help to the school as a whole.

I live in Eynesbury and have been here for over thirteen years; I have a menagerie of pets and meet lots of locals when out and about with my dog. We are also active with Dog Agility and hope to be competing this year at some fun events. have lots of other interests and vegetable growing is amongst then.

Claudia Kirk

As a parent with three children who have been at Winhills for 5 year now, I am ever more interested in the education and welfare that the school provides. I play an active role in the education of my children, I enjoy helping with homework, History Off the Page days and wherever else I can in school.

My own background comprises of being a professional nanny for over 20 years in the UK, Canada and United States. I have been a stay at home mum for 8 years and am a nursery nurse working for an agency where I work in a variety of pre-schools and daycare centres across Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire.

Being a parent on the governing board enables me to appreciate issues which affect the school from a parental point of view. I am committed to being part of the Governing Body which is focussed on building and enabling a safe environment where children are excited by their learning and able to excel.