Category: Co-opted Governor

Term October: 2020-2024

Current membership and responsibilities

I am the Vice Chair of the Standards Committee and also sit on the Academisation Committee. I also fulfil the Early Years (Nursery and Reception) Link Governor role which I share with Louisa Williams.

Governor Experience

I have had no previous experience of being a Governor but have worked in Education for over 14 years and have attended Governing Body meetings as part of my professional role as an Educational Psychologist. I volunteered to be a Governor at Whittington Primary School to offer my time to support the planning of the strategic direction of the school and help drive school improvement. In my professional role we use a model of high support and high challenge, this will assist in promoting effective governance.

Professional Experience

I completed my Bachelor of Science undergraduate degree in Psychology at the University of Birmingham. I massively enjoyed further education and realised quickly that this would not be the last time I completed a University course. After my undergraduate degree I moved to Staffordshire to complete a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) and Masters at Keele University. This enabled me to qualify as a Teacher. I worked as a secondary Teacher in a local Staffordshire secondary school and then progressed to Head of Psychology.

In 2009 I made what was a very difficult decision to apply for doctoral study; this decision was difficult for me because I knew that I would have to leave the school where I loved teaching. In 2010 I embarked on another period of further education when I commenced a doctorate in Applied Child and Educational Psychology at the University of Birmingham. I completed the doctorate over a three-year period and enjoyed working in a number of Local Authorities as a Trainee Educational Psychologist.

I qualified as an Educational Psychologist in 2013. I love working as an Educational Psychologist and really appreciate that I have the opportunity to work with children and young people, their families, schools and other partners to improve outcomes and promote wellbeing. I enjoy the variety afforded by the role and also the opportunity to work with others to promote learning, social and emotional development and wellbeing.

I was appointed as a Specialist Senior Educational Psychologist for Early Years in 2017 and was able to lead on some exciting projects promoting inclusion in early years settings across the Local Authority.

In November 2019 I accepted a post as a Senior Educational Psychologist and have relished the opportunity to apply my learning and continue to learn whilst also supporting the development of others in our team. I have a continued interest in developing leadership across education to create strong systems of support and continued learning and development.

Personal Interests

I have two children, George and Olivia, who both attend Whittington. George is currently in Year 2 and Olivia is in Nursery. I enjoy spending my spare time with family and friends, I like to cook, and also enjoy opportunities to get some fresh air in green spaces.