School Governors (ID 1160)

• Mr Peter Christie
  Chair of Governors
  Mr Peter Christie

  I became a School Governor at the end of 2019 when I joined the Kimpton, Thruxton and Fyfield C of E Primary School governing body. I have long held the ambition to participate in school governance and now that I am semi-retired I have the time to devote to the role. I have had a long career in Human Resources management, initially working in the hi-tech sector and then banking as a Human Resource Manager and for the last 30 years working as a Consultant on people management issues. My work has taken me around Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia and the Americas, including a period of 7 years leading a consulting company in Dubai. I have advised several governments on their education systems and on school leadership and my work has also involved the university sector.

  I am married with 2 adult children, one of whom used to be a primary school teacher; my wife was a Governor of 2 schools in Mitcham, south-west London, my grandfather was a primary school headteacher and my sister used to teach secondary children. I am fascinated by the impact that a well-run school with talented and committed staff can make to the lives of young people. I still do some consulting but I also enjoy sport (rugby and cricket especially), theatre, travel and reading. We moved to Thruxton in 2017 and are enjoying the wonderful environment that this part of the country offers.

• Mrs Ros Bass
  Foundation Governor
  Mrs Ros Bass

  I first became a governor at Appleshaw St. Peter’s when my children were there, they are now 22 and 25. I was actively involved as a member of the PTA and was asked to consider the role of parent governor, I’m very glad I said yes and over the last 15 years I have learnt so much about primary education and in particular how that looks in a village school. I am currently a Foundation governor and am looking forward to being part of the Skylark Federation governing body and getting to know the school and community at Kimpton. My working life has been spent in Early Years education, I put some of those skills to use as Safeguarding and SEND governor.

  I live in Appleshaw and am married, we have a gorgeous Vizsla called Lola you might see me out walking with her as she needs lots of exercise. Now that I am at home I enjoy reading and travelling and am part of a couple of committees in the village too.

• Mr Edward Bailey
  Foundation Governor
  Mr Edward Bailey

  I attended an LCC infants and primary school in the 1950s and then moved to Canterbury Cathedral Choir School, where I was a choirboy for 4 years. I completed my education in Canterbury, spent a gap year as a Lay Clerk at Ripon Minster and teaching at Ripon Choir School, and then went to University where I was a Choral Exhibitioner and Senior Scholar. I read Economics and Law. After graduating I was for two years a University lecturer, while also completing a further degree and undertaking pupillage, and I then spent 28 years at the Bar. Meanwhile I continued my interest in music. I became a Circuit Judge in 2000 sitting essentially at the RCJ in London (although I had a short stint at Winchester Crown Court and Southampton County Court) retiring in 2019 when I reached the statutory retirement age of 70. I have lived in Little Shoddesden since 1988 and have now retired here. I play the organ at Kimpton church and run the De Fakto Singers. I was asked to become a School Governor in Summer 2020 to take the place of former Kimpton School governors who were resigning after Kimpton voted to federate with Appleshaw. I come to School Governorship with an open mind, and wait to see what (if anything) I am able to bring to the party. Education is in the family. My father was a schoolmaster teaching English at St.Marylebone Grammar School in Central London; he took great pride in helping inner-city school kids get into ‘smart’ universities. My mother was a Reader at Birkbeck College, London University teaching French and Philosophy. My sister is a special needs teacher with responsibility for dyslexia teaching in Ealing. I am married with two grown-up daughters.

• Mr James Cripps
  Foundation Governor
  Mr James Cripps

  I have been a Foundation Governor for the federation from Summer 2020. My wife and I have experienced Appleshaw school first-hand, with both our two children having attended the school. Our children count this as some of their happiest times.

  I studied Electronics Engineering at university - four years convinced me that I needed fresh air and travel, if not a little excitement. I therefore embarked on a seventeen-year career in the Army. This provided a variety of interesting deployments and training, mostly developing and leading small and large teams. There were many highlights, teaching leadership at Sandhurst possibly topping the list. Helping young people develop and grow in ability and confidence, to go on and fulfil their potential was extremely rewarding – it stuck with me. The Army also indulged my engineering and technical side with roles with The Defence Science and Technology Laboratories where I was jointly awarded the Queen’s Award for Innovation.

  We settled in Appleshaw over thirteen years ago and a few years later decided we needed more stability for our growing family. I now work as a Management Consultant, specialising in transformation programme delivery, technology change and architecting solutions to big data problems. A lot of this work is with the public sector.

  My passion in my spare time is sailing, although other water sports are often substituted with glee. Relishing a challenge and being somewhat practical, DIY and tinkering often soak up more time than I would like.

  As a governor I hope to be able to support the schools, to perpetuate and further develop the excellent and most critical service the teams provide to our community and its children.

• Mrs Morwenna Glover
  Staff Governor
  Mrs Morwenna Glover

  I am the staff governor for the Skylark Federation. I work at Kimpton School as an HLTA. I have been at Kimpton for five and a half years now and joined the governing body in the summer term of 2021.
  I grew up in Enfield, North London and moved to Andover in 2006. I live in a local village with my husband, our two children, who attend a local secondary school and our chocolate Labrador. I attended Oxford Brookes University, gaining an Honours degree in Construction Management, before working for a Tier 1 contractor for ten years on various projects in and around London, as a Construction Site Manager. Several of those projects were new schools.

  
  After our youngest was born I decided to retrain and undertook level 2 and 3 qualifications in Children and Young People’s Workforce. I worked in a local nursery for four years before joining Kimpton in February 2018. Learning is a huge part of my life. I love to learn and love to see others be excited and inspired when they learn new things. Being part of the governing body gives me an opportunity to learn more about the Education system and use the knowledge and experience I have gained over the years to ensure our schools are inspiring places.

• Mr Shawn Manning
  Foundation Governor
  Mr Shawn Manning

• Mrs Sarah Sharland
  Ex-Officio Governor
  Mrs Sarah Sharland

  I am the priest of the benefice in which the two schools of the Skylark Federation sit. The church enjoys a good relationship with each of the schools and we hold assemblies weekly in each school. I have been a member of the Governing Body since I arrived into the post in July 2022 and have found it to be a challenging and rewarding role. I am delighted to have the two schools in the benefice and this
  governor role allows me to take a deeper interest into the lives and welfare of the children who attend and of course all the staff, too.

  I read Physics at university and then had an 18 year career in the Royal Navy within the Education and IT specialisations. I then realised that God is real, having been an athiest most of my life and that changed life completely. I felt the Lord’s hand on my life for ordained ministry and was ordained in 2018. I enjoy the outdoors, playing sports – currently active on badminton courts – and walking and camping. I have two grown up daughters.

• Mr Tom Featherby
  Foundation Governor
  Mr Tom Featherby

  My name is Tom Featherby and I became a Foundation Governor in July 2023. I studied Computing at University and worked for 10 years in the financial technology industry. I have extensive experience in software engineering and information security and compliance. In 2015 I made the decision to retrain as a teacher and I am currently the Head of the Computing & Business faculty in a local Secondary School.

  I moved to Kimpton in 2023 with my wife and our three boys, the eldest of which has just moved into Year 1 at the school. Education is very important to me and I believe Early Years education is the most significant part of that. I hope that from my position on the Governing Body that I can assist the Foundation in providing children with the very best start in life.

• Mrs Katie Tricker
  Foundation Governor
  Mrs Katie Tricker

  I'm Katie Tricker, and I'm honoured to be part of our school communities as a dedicated Foundation Governor. My journey as a School Governer started when my son joined in Year R last year (2022).

  My dedication to the role and the school revolves around contributing towards a positive and safe learning experience for every child, every day, where they do not just learn but thrive and have fun! I have a varied professional background which I can use to add value to the qualified and wonderful team of teachers and school staff - offering a balance of challenge and support.

  Beyond my role as a School Governor, I work within the local community. Building strong ties between the school and the community is something I'm passionate about.

  Whether you have a question about the school, want to share a thought, or just fancy a friendly chat, don't hesitate to reach out - you will find me most days at drop off and pick up in Kimpton and I enjoy visiting Appleshaw as well!

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• Mrs Amelia Norman
  Parent Governor
  Mrs Amelia Norman

  My name is Amelia Norman and I became a Parent Governor in 2023. As a devoted parent with one child at Kimpton and two more that will join the school in the coming years, I have a unique perspective on the needs and aspirations of the children, parents, and the wider community. I am passionate about promoting excellence in education and ensuring every child receives the best possible start in life.

  I am a Deputy Headteacher, currently Acting Headteacher and live in Andover. My professional experience as a leader and my ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with various stakeholders enables me to contribute constructively to the Governing Body. I am a good listener, open-minded, and dedicated to promoting transparency and accountability within the school community.

  As a Governor I hope to make valuable contributions to the schools, helping to ensure the best possible outcomes for all children.