Fern Hill Primary School Governing Body 2018/2019
Mark BaldwinCo-opted Governor & Co-Vice Chair of Governors
Category: Co-Opted (Co-Vice Chair)
Date of Appointment: 2nd October 2014
Term ends: 3rd October 2022
Appointing Body: Governing Body
Committees: Teaching, Learning & Children
I have been a governor at Fern Hill School since 2012 and am currently co-Vice Chair of the governing body. My son attended Fern Hill and has now moved on to secondary school.
One of my main roles as a Governor is chairing the Teaching, Learning & Children Committee, which has a responsibility to oversee pupils’ attainment and progress and to ensure the school delivers an effective and balanced curriculum and provides a high quality learning environment. During the day I teach mathematics at University and my passion for education led me to becoming a Governor at Fern Hill.
I find it very rewarding working with such a dedicated team of teachers and Governors who are all working hard to ensure Fern Hill remains an excellent school for all of our children.
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Gary BoydCo-opted Governor
Category: Co-opted
Date of Appointment: 1st September 2017
Term ends: 1st September 2021
Appointing body: Governing Body
Committees: Teaching, Learning & Children
With 18 years’ experience in the education/training sector both in the UK and internationally, I am an accomplished and competent leader. My passion for learning in all its forms has driven my career to date with companies such as International Energy Skills Alliance, Intertek Plc (training division), MDT International (specialist training) and now with Collab Group based in London, a network of 36 of the country’s largest Further Education colleges.
I am educated in business and management with a specialisation in marketing. I am also a full member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM)
I have volunteered as a governor here as I have two children at Fern Hill, and I use my skills and career experience to sit on the Teaching, Learning & Children Committee.
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Sue DeanCo-opted Governor & Chair of Governors
Category: Co-opted (Chair of Governors)
Date of appointment: 1st September 2017
Term ends: 1st September 2021
Appointing body: Governing body
Committees: Teaching, Learning & Children; Finance, Resources and Premises Committee
My background as a Chartered Accountant and Tax Adviser enables me to offer valuable input to the Finance Committee. I am also Chair to the Children, Families & Community Committee, which offers me the opportunity to contribute to developing and improving engagement with our families through forums such as the Parent Council.
I have one child at the school with another due to start in 2019. I am extremely passionate about Fern Hill and feel very privileged to be a Governor here.
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Diane HutchenceAssociate Governor
Category: Associate (no voting rights)
Date of Appointment: 22nd March 2016
Term ends: No end date
Appointing Body: Governing Body
Committees: Finance, Resources & Premises
I have worked at Fern Hill for 16 years and seen a lot of change!
Originally from Lancashire, I did an Accounting & Finance degree in Bristol then moved up to London for work. Initially for a design company, I then worked for 3 major retailers in the West End and qualified as an accountant whilst working mainly in management accounts.
I have 2 children, 20 and 18, both of whom were schooled in Kingston at St. Luke’s then different secondary schools, they are both at university now.
I enjoy socialising with friends and trying to keep fit, I enjoy walking and running although am not as good as I’d like to be!
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Marc JonesCo-opted Governor
Category: Co-opted
Date of Appointment: 1st November 2017
Term ends: 1st November 2021
Appointing Body: Governing Body
Committees: Teaching, Learning & Children
I’m Marc Jones, a lawyer, 44 years old. My wife Zoe and I have two children at Fern Hill – Jesse in year 3 and Isla in year 1. They both love Fern Hill and I really want to give something back to the school.
Being a governor is a big commitment and my professional skills make a positive addition to the Board. Fern Hill is a great school and I’ll work hard to help ensure its continuing success. I am also the Data Protection Officer for Fern Hill.
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Hugh KincaidCo-opted Governor & Co Vice Chair of Governors
Category: Co-Opted (Co Vice Chair)
Date of Appointment: 2nd October 2014
Term ends: 3rd October 2022
Appointing Body: Governing Body
Committees: Teaching, Learning & Children; Finance, Resources & Premises (Chair)
I grew up in Northern Ireland and attended state primary and secondary schools before I went to the Queen's university of Belfast for an MEng in aeronautical engineering.
Then I went to a flying college and qualified with an Airline Transport Pilots Licence.
I am now an airline pilot of 25 years experience, with two children attending Fern Hill.
In my spare time I play squash, workout at the gym and read books on history and science.
As a governor my roles include chairing the Finance, Resources and Personnel Committee; Safeguarding/ Child Protection and Science.
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Adam ScottStaff Governor & Headteacher
Category: Staff - Headteacher
Date of Appointment: 30th June 2014
Term ends: No end date
Appointing Body: Governing Body
Committees: Teaching, Learning & Children; Finance, Resources & Premises
As Headteacher of Fern Hill, I sit on all Committees and work with the Governing Body to develop the school's Strategic Vision and Development Plan. It is also my responsibility to ensure that the school implements the strategy effectively and I look to the Governing Body to support and challenge the Leadership Team to ensure that we do.
I took on the role of Head Teacher in 2015 having been at Fern Hill for 15 years (10 of those being in the role of Deputy Head).
I have three daughters who keep me very busy when I'm not at the school and I enjoy sports and the great outdoors.
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Claire StrongLocal Authority Governor
Category: Local Authority
Date of Appointment: 21st September 2016
Term ends: 21st September 2020
Appointing Body: Governing Body
Committees: Teaching, Learning & Children
Claire is a local authority governor and joined the board in November 2016. She is a Chartered Secretary and has qualifications in Charity governance. She and her husband have lived in Kingston since 2013 and have been active in the local community since then by volunteering with a local charity and a junior cycling club. Claire is a member of a local choir and loves being outside, swimming, cycling, running or walking.
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Jo TatumCo-opted Governor
Category: Co-Opted
Date of Appointment: 21st October 2014
Term ends: 22nd October 2022
Appointing Body: Governing Body
Committees: Teaching, Learning & Children (Vice Chair)
This is my fourth year of being a governor at Fern Hill. Many of you will already know that I also worked at the school, I started at Fern Hill in 2008 as a Teaching Assistant in Year 4 before moving to work in the office as a Finance Assistant looking after clubs and trips.
Before coming to Fern Hill I worked for Marks and Spencer for 17 years in many different roles from Store Finance Manager, to Head of Customer Services.
I love living in Kingston, have a very busy life with lots of family activities, holidays and tennis.
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Rob TerryParent Governor
Category: Parent
Date of Appointment: 18th October 2018
Term ends: 18th October 2022
Appointing Body: Parent community at Fern Hill
Committees: Teaching, Learning & Children
Two years ago I left my job as a Project Manager to look after my two children. In that time I've become increasingly involved in supporting Fern Hill through helping in class on a weekly basis, going on school trips and as a member of the Parent Council. Subsequently, when the role of Parent Governor came up I felt this would be a great opportunity to devote more time and further my involvement.
Both of my children, Jackson and Martha, attend Fern Hill; it's a fantastic school and, as a parent, we've been incredibly impressed with both the teaching and devotion of all the staff from day one.
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Veronique TorresStaff Governor
Category: Staff
Date of Appointment: 1st September 2018
Term ends: 1st September 2022
Appointing Body: Staff
Committees: Teaching, Learning & Children
I have been a teacher at Fern Hill since 2003. During that time I have taught in EYFS and KS1, as well as teaching French across the school for a number of years. After a spell as Acting SENCo, I have returned to the classroom as a Year One teacher.
Not only do I love teaching, but I am also always looking for new learning experiences and recently qualified as a Specialist Teacher for children with specific learning difficulties.
In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my children and grandchildren.
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Robert WaitingAssociate Governor & Deputy Headteacher
Category: Associate (no voting rights)
Date of Appointment: 2nd October 2014
Term ends: no end date
Appointing Body: Governing Body
Committees: Teaching, Learning & Children; Finance, Resources & Premises
As Deputy Headteacher I represent the Senior Leadership Team on all Committees. I have a particular focus on Curriculum and Achievement - working with Governors to develop and deliver a strategy to ensure that the school achieves the best possible outcomes for all its pupils.
I took on the role of Deputy Headteacher in 2013 and have been at the school for 4 years. I previously worked as the Assistant Head Teacher at Hampton Hill Junior School in Richmond.
When I am not at school I am an enthusiastic cyclist (I ride to and from work each day) and am a loyal fan of Portsmouth Football Club (although this is rarely celebrated).
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Alan WatermanParent Governor
Category: Parent
Date of Appointment: 23rd May 2017
Term ends: 23rd May 2021
Appointing Body: Governing Body
Committees: Finance, Resources & Premises (Vice Chair); Teaching, Learning & Children
I have been heavily involved with the school since my daughter joined Fern Hill in 2014, largely through my work with the PSA. I was keen to put myself forward as a candidate for Parent Governor when a vacancy came up as I wanted to contribute to the school even further.
My professional background in finance will enable me to support the Governors during a period when pressures on schools' finances continue to mount. As well as my financial skills I am also keen to use my experience as a parent to support the school in its continuing attempts to develop its engagement with the wider community.
I am very proud to have been elected as a Parent Governor and am looking forward to supporting the school over the coming years.
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Francesca LeeClerk to the Governors
I work as Clerk to the governors, ensuring the smooth running of the Governing Board, by organising meetings and maintaining records, as well as offering legislative and procedural advice on school governance.
My background is in education, having worked as a teacher trainer and teacher of English as a foreign language, in various settings from language schools to an NHS hospital.
My son joined Fern Hill in 2012 and I have been actively involved as a volunteer at the school ever since, building up a knowledge of and passion for the school over the years.
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