Winhills School Governors | Winhills Primary Academy

Sandra Gill - Chair of Governors

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.

Sarah Farrugia – Parent Governor

I am entering my fourth year of being a parent governor of Winhills and I currently have a son in Year 1.

In addition to being a parent, I have also worked in schools for twenty years, so I have a good understanding of current changes within the education system. This background knowledge has helped me to fulfil my duty as a governor of Winhills and to take an active role within the governing body.

Being a governor has enabled me to find out more about the school where my children spend their time and it has also given me an opportunity to support the school in offering them, and all of the other pupils, the best educational experience possible in the primary school years.

Darrell Herd - Community Governor

I joined the Winhills community in Autumn term 2004, when my son started in Winhills nursery, I was appointed as a parent governor in July 2012 and then moved across to a community governor role in September 2014 after my youngest child moved up to Ernulf Academy. I was motivated to join the governing body by the positive changes Winhills was undergoing under the fresh direction being provided by the acting head Susannah Connell who is now the Lead Executive Head Teacher for The DLPT family of schools.

My son is now at Cambridgeshire Regional College Huntingdon Campus so I have from a parental perspective experienced the full range of school education from reception class through to year 11. As a result, I have a strong understanding of the importance of primary education in laying strong foundations ready for secondary school and beyond into the post 16 option.

I have been employed as a Delivery Postman in St Neots since leaving school in 1991 at the tender age of sixteen and have been a Trade Union rep since 2001 holding various roles at workplace and area level for the Communication Workers Union. I am currently an assistant union rep at the St Neots delivery office and also a Union Learning Rep (ULR) which is an area (PE Postcode) wide role. As a ULR my job is to promote, arrange and assist union members with adult education and lifelong learning opportunities both formal and informal. I am also joint Trade Union Liaison Officer for Huntingdon Constituency Labour Party.

Outside of school governance, I enjoy genealogy, politics, reading (fantasy genre and social history) and regular trips to Cineworld. I also enjoy walking over the fields linking Eynesbury to Abbotsley with my four-year-old Fox Red Labrador Retriever.

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.

Carla Woolston

I am 37 years old and live in Eynesbury with my husband of 10 years and 2 young children. The eldest is in year 1 at Winhills Primary Academy and the youngest is 2 years old currently at home with me. I, myself attended Winhills between the age of 4-11 so I have an invested interest into the running and development of the school. Following on from Winhills, I attended Ernulf Community College and gained 2 A-levels in Art and English Language.

I also hold a level 3 Diploma qualification in Holistic Therapies and Nutrition which I received from Bedford College.

I am fortunate enough to have my own childminding business which I started up in November 2016 and currently have 3 mindee’s on my books. I have a good understanding of EYFS and hold a certificate for Safeguarding Children. I am trained in Pediatric First Aid, DBS checked and qualified in level 2 basic Food & Hygiene.

Before becoming a childminder, I worked for ABB Ltd as a Credit Control Data Analyst and had 3 members of staff in my team. I reported to our head office in Zurich on a weekly and monthly basis.

In my role I took control of organizing and chairing meetings as well as setting up conference calls with our head office and sub divisions. I changed my career to be at home for my own children and provide a learning and nurturing environment to other children to help them grow and develop in all key areas

Childminding is something I enjoy and get satisfaction from. The 3 mindee’s have become an extension of my own family and I care for them like I do my own two children. I am part of a large network of Childminders who I see on a regular basis and who all support each other.

I would say I am approachable, self-motivated and dedicated to my role as a mother, professional and my new role as a governor of Winhills Primary Academy

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.