Sun Sep 5 2010

Governor Blurbs

Janet Willcox - Chair

I have been a governor for 8 years, the last 2 at Epsom Primary. I have lived in the Epsom area for 25 years and have been involved in education, as a teacher in both Secondary and Primary sectors, and as a parent of 2 girls now aged 19 and 21. I serve on the Standards and Curriculum and Finance and Personnel sub committees. I am link governor for Modern Languages and recently appointed as SEN Governor.  I am proud to be a part of a very strong team. 

Kate Sanders - Vice-chair

I became a governor more than ten years ago now as I wanted to support my children’s education. I have been a governor of Epsom Primary School since September 2006. I am currently the Chair of Governors and I am the link governor for Numeracy and Assessment. I enjoy very much being a governor of Epsom Primary School, it has a very welcoming and supportive ethos and I am very proud of the school, its staff and children and the effort that goes in to give our children the very best education. My educational background is in languages and business but my involvement in schools has led to a career change and I am now working in a school myself!

 

Paul Barnes

My name is Paul Barnes and I am the Headteacher. It is my responsibility to inform the Governors of initiatives that are happening in school and what impact they are having on the children’s learning. This then allows the governors to monitor for themselves the improvements we are making. It is also part of my role to act as a liaison between the staff and Governors and vice versa. In this way the staff, Governors and pupils work harmoniously together as a team.

Rev Michael Preston

I have had a connection with Epsom Primary School ever since I became the local Vicar at St Barnabas Church, nearly twenty years ago. I have been a Community Governor at the school for about 15 years. Living in Hook Road and working in this area, which is my parish, I try to support all the things that help the way we live in this part of Epsom, which is so distinctive with its wonderful range of people from all sorts of different backgrounds. I am the Link Governor for Religious Education.

Colin Tothill

I became a Parent Governor at Epsom Primary School in 2006.  My two younger children both attended at this time, and I wanted to be more involved in an important part of their lives.  I currently sit on the Premises and Community Committee and I am the link Governor for History and Geography (I consider myself an amateur historian).  Prior to this I was the link Governor for Design and Technology.  The school is a dynamic environment with lots happening all the time.  There are several after-school clubs for the children, one of which is the chess club that I volunteered to run.  I find this very rewarding, and it means that I come into the school regularly.  My educational background is in science, and I work for Local Government in the ICT sphere.

Sheila Carlson

I have lived just a few doors away from the School for 27 years and as my late mother-in-law taught there for over 20 years have had a close personal contact with the School for a very long time.  I was first appointed as a governor 8 years ago and as I work for a large Trade Union, I can use that expertise in my role as Chair of the Personnel & Finance Committee.  My degree is in Art History and so I volunteered to be governor with responsibility for Art.  I am proud to be on the governing body of a school which provides such a good educational start for all our pupils.  

Colin Taylor

I am a retired Structural Engineer specialising in steelwork, with a background in British Standards and European technical harmonisation. As the local county councillor I have been a governor at Epsom Primary since 2002. I am currently ICT governor and have served mainly on the Premises and Community Committee. I am also a governor of two other local schools and in addition I am a borough councillor. I believe that children learn best when they feel secure and happy in school, but need the challenge and stimulus of sound teaching in order to reach their full potential.

Diane Lynch

I have worked at the school for the past 10 years and I am the Parent Partner. I am the Link Governor providing a connection between the Governing body and the Local Authority with a particular responsibility for governor training.  I am Chairman of the Standards and Curriculum Committee where we review and discuss how the children are progressing and have also served on the Personnel and Finance Committee.  Personally outside of school I enjoy singing and have run the school choir for several years.  I particularly enjoy taking the choir to the Dorking Halls Festival and into local community homes at Christmas.  I am also actively involved in scouting in Epsom and Ewell and have encouraged several children at EPS to join the movement.

Joanne Rawoo

As a parent I felt I wanted to gain a greater understanding of the educational system and how I could support my children through their primary school years.  I have been a Parent Governor since 2004 and throughout that time I have become fully involved in all aspects of school life.  A role I have found most rewarding is participating in the monitoring of standards and I also spend time participating in school activities, helping with various projects and workshops to name but a few. It is a very rewarding, but sometimes challenging role but one I feel is important as our children’s education and wellbeing is paramount.

Helen Bull

 I joined as a Parent Governor in 2009. My daughter is in Year 1 at Epsom Primary School and I wanted to get involved and help support the school and therefore assist the education of my daughter. I have found it very interesting to learn about the school policies and the general running of the school. I look after The Early Years section of Epsom Primary School and thoroughly enjoy getting involved in the classroom and seeing what the children do and how they learn. It is a joy to see the children so keen to learn and really enjoying themselves.
I work in sales & marketing in my 'day job' at a conference centre in Kingston and enjoy talking to people, so I believe I can help promote the school to potential parents looking for a school for their children.
There is a lot to learn being a governor but it is very interesting and I am keen to support the school in whatever way I can.
 
Susan Clark

 I am a community governor and have been on the governing body at the school since October 2005. I live locally to the school and both my daughter and son went to the school since reception through to year six. I am a governor because I want to support the school and learn more about how a school is run. It is a real privilege to see the dedication and expertise which are an integral part of the school. I work locally with the elderly. I am on the Children, Learning and Community committee and am the link governor for science.