Governing Body

After completing my First Degree in Human Psychology at Loughborough University I moved to London as a postgraduate to study Music, graduating from the London College of Music in 1997 and entering the music profession as a session guitarist throughout most of my 20’s and into my 30’s. During this time, I taught guitar as a peripatetic and private teacher in between session work, finding that I really enjoyed teaching both children and adults, and in 2006 decided to formalise my teaching career through undertaking a PGCE in Further Education and Training through Plymouth University. From there, I was lucky enough to progress, through a number of roles in Further Education, from full time teacher, eventually moving into management as a Programme Area Manager at City College Plymouth, before successfully moving to my current role as Deputy Team Leader of Performing Arts and Head of Music at Truro and Penwith College. During this time I have also enjoyed a range of roles in governance, previously being on a board of Directors at a charity engaging disadvantaged young people in physical movement and dance; currently being on the Board of Directors at the Cornwall Music Service Trust, and thoroughly enjoying my role as chair to the Governing body at Lostwithiel School, where I have seen the fantastic and continuous improvement in the Children’s experience under the current staffing and leadership structure.

I have held the position of safeguarding governor at Lostwithiel school for over 4 years. I was originally approached to carry out this position due to having children attend the school and my employment. I work as a detective sergeant in the Public Protection Unit for Devon and Cornwall Police. My primary role is to supervise investigations into child abuse and sexual exploitation. I also carry out an additional role as a child sexual exploitation champion for the force. I have previously held informal meetings in the school for the benefit of parents to give advice re online safety. Furthermore I provided the school with an informative PowerPoint relating to the changing nature of crime and the importance of keeping children safe online. I believe that my knowledge regarding safeguarding is beneficial to the school and to the children and parents and want to ensure I use my skills and knowledge to benefit the safeguarding practice of the school.

For the last 15 years (10 years of which have been in Cornwall and 5 years in Birmingham) I am an Educational Psychologist. Through my work I have been passionately promoting childrens’ social and emotional well-being, as well as implementing evidence based approaches to ensure high standards of academic attainment. My aim is always to give our children the greatest life chances through their education. This is especially pertinent in the current climate which has affected our children in so many ways.
Following training at the University of Cambridge, I am also a qualified teacher (having worked as a primary and SEN Teacher in the UK and abroad), so I fully understand the pressures experienced by teachers today. As an Educational Psychologist I support/supervise/train school staff; develop school policies; assess children; provide psychological therapies; and advise parents. This roles means that I have a clear understanding of the structures, policies and practices of the education system within Cornwall. I am inspired to apply for the opportunity to support Lostwithiel Primary School as a member of the governing body so that I contribute to the successful education of all children in school to give our children the best foundation to their education.

Since making Cornwall my home in 2011, I have had the pleasure of teaching in two secondary schools within the county. My specialist subject is Geography and I have also previously taught Religious Education, Maths and SMSC. I have experience of working on two different Senior Leadership Teams and I am currently the CPD Lead and Head of Geography at Newquay Tretherras. I love teaching about the natural world, global issues and the connection between people and our planet. School Governor is a new role for me this year and I am really looking forward to working with the school to help it to continue to provide such wonderful learning experiences for the young people of Lostwithiel.

I have worked at Lostwithiel Primary School for over 23 years as the Reception Class teacher. I am passionate about providing our children with the best possible education and experiences so that each individual develops a love for learning and reaches their true potential. I am the CELT Early Years Lead.

I joined Lostwithiel Primary School in 2007, working initially as a one to one teaching assistant. When the pupil left the school, I remained in Year 6 as a teaching assistant. I absolutely love my role and am very passionate about ensuring that every child reaches their potential at our school.
I ran the school's Parent and Teacher Association for many years and am delighted that we now have such an enthusiastic group of parents who have taken this over. I am also 'Chief Coach' and most enthusiastic supporter of our school netball team. My role as a governor is to oversee Health and Safety, working closely with our Site Manager and the Trust Estates Team.

I completed my BA (Hons) in History and Development Studies at the University of St. Mark and St. John and initially wanted to be a curator of a museum. Voluntary work delivering education workshops in a museum made me quickly realise that I wanted to become a teacher so I completed my PGCE in Primary Education in 1998 and never looked back!
I have taught predominantly in Key Stage Two, with Year 6, History and English teaching being my specialist areas. I initially became an Assistant Headteacher at St. Mewan (another CELT primary school) and then Headteacher there in 2016. I moved to Lostwithiel Primary School as Headteacher in September 2023 and now work for the trust as one of their Primary School Improvement Leads.
As well as this I am also a Pastoral Associate for the Cornwall Association of Primary Heads.

I am passionate about ensuring that we not only provide the very best educational experience for our children but that we also enable every child to find their talent or interest. Teachers inspire so that children can aspire!

For the past seven years I have been licensed by the Diocese of Truro as the Associate Priest to the Benefice of Lostwithiel. After completing my ministry training and my degree in Theology I was ordained in 2011 at Truro Cathedral.
Prior to my ordination I worked for several years with social care as a support worker within the Mental health team. Having left this role, I then went into education working at Bodmin College firstly as a HLTA then with further training I qualified as the Safeguarding Officer working closely with many other agencies. To ensure the students health and wellbeing I was able to work closely with the GPs surgeries in creating a Health drop-in service where the students had access to Drs and nurses. Whilst working at the College I became a Staff Governor a position which I held for several years. After leaving the College I joined a large primary school as a Parent Support Advisor. Again, I was invited to join the Governing body. I am looking forward in being part of the Governing Body here at Lostwithiel School and to offer my support and guidance in any way.

I have worked in education, in Cornwall, for over 15 years. I began my career as a class teacher, before becoming a middle leader and headteacher. I joined Cornwall Council in 2020, as a Curriculum Advisor before taking on the role of Senior Education Effectiveness Officer.

My day-to-day work, heading up the Quality of Education team, involves working with a range of settings, providing them with support and challenge to enable them to continually improve their educational provision and ensuring compliance with statutory responsibilities.

Through a rich experience of working with a broad cross section of schools I’ve discovered that no two are ever quite the same! An understanding of context is key to meeting the individual needs of a school and its community of learners. As a champion of equality, diversity and inclusion I believe, fundamentally, that every child matters. In my role as parent governor, I look forward to supporting the school to ensure that, at all times, every child gets a good deal from the education and enriching experiences on offer here.

From my own experiences and interactions with the school as a parent, the school’s irresistible values of pride, passion, partnership, perseverance and participation are lived out every day at the school. I am delighted to be able to contribute towards ensuring this continues.

When not helping out on the school run, you can find me chasing round after livestock which we keep on our very small smallholding, or planning the next weekend adventure with my two children, which usually involves the great outdoors. I’m a big fan of rugby, podcasts and pasties (but probably not in that order).

Finally, and in the spirit of full disclosure, as a true Devonian I do apply the cream before the jam when making up a scone…but hopefully we can get over that!