The Governing Body

I joined Mill Lane in September 2023.
I am a retired teacher and have lived in Chinnor for over 30 years. My last teaching post was at the secondary school in Waddesdon, where I worked for 22 years. As well as teaching, I have been an education adviser and consultant.
When I read on the village Facebook page that Mill Lane was looking to recruit new governors, I volunteered hoping that I might be able to make a positive contribution to the governance of the school. I am particularly interested in art, music, drama and physical education.
I am married to Cathy, who was also a teacher. Our adult children left home some time ago and both of them live and work in the West Country.
Since joining the Board, I have been made very welcome and I believe that your children are very well served by the staff of Mill Lane.

I joined the Governing Board as a co-opted governor in 2022. I am delighted to have joined a dedicated and supportive board who have the best interests for all pupils and staff at the core of its purpose. Living locally with two children attending Mill Lane Community School, I look forward to using my experience to make a positive impact. I have worked in local government for 13 years and wish to use this public sector experience to contribute to the overall direction of the school.

Having worked at Mill Lane School for 13 years as the school bursar, I feel very privileged to be part of the supportive and dedicated Governing Body and I hope that this previous experience and knowledge of the school, combined with experience from my current role as a school business manager will enable me to make a positive impact by supporting the school in achieving its aims.

My interests outside of work include visiting theatre, cinema, museums, historic houses and gardens.

I have no experience in children’s education but I do believe that every child should be given the opportunity to reach their potential.
I have worked in the banking and finance sector for my entire working life. During that time I have developed leadership and management skills and have had responsibility for training uk and international banking students, running depts and managing staff to ensure good customer relations. I would like to think that I can bring some of these skills to the role of governor.
As well as this, the role allows me to discover new challenges in a completely different environment.

My interests are : Walking, Aerobics, Yoga, Table Tennis, Listening to Music and Visiting the theatre .

Linked subject: Literacy

I am very privileged to be part of Mill Lane's governing body as well as a member of staff. I joined the school three years ago after working as a teacher in Aylesbury for eleven years. I am now in my third year at Mill Lane and am loving the challenges and opportunities of being both a class teacher, deputy head and governor. It is fascinating to have an insight into the school from several different perspectives. I have a special affiliation with the school as I was also a pupil here many years ago, having spent my childhood growing up in Chinnor. I have a very varied and diverse job which means that no two days are ever the same! Outside of school I am a keen DIYer and enjoy travelling to new places with my wife, who is also a teacher.

I became a Governor when my three children attended the School and I wanted to support it in providing the best learning environment possible. My children have left now but still appreciate the great start it gave them. My experience as an Engineering Manager with special responsibilities for Health & Safety have enabled me to contribute to the School's ambition to always provide a safe environment in which the children can develop and learn.

Linked subject area: Health & Safety

I am a Co-opted Governor, joining the board in 2023. I work in Data Science for British Airways and have a longstanding interest in education, including classroom teaching experience, maths tutoring and mentoring. I have volunteered with young people for many years in different capacities, including as a volunteer for NYAS, regularly visiting a young person living in foster care. I was previously a governor at a secondary school in West London.