Our Governors 2023-24

Alison Rolland (Parent Governor)

My Current job is as a data manager in the Education Sector which brings vital skills to the governing body. I am passionate about the school and as Chair of Governors will be responsible for ensuring the vision and values of our school are maintained. I am interested in bringing a new perspective to the strategic vision for the school.

As a parent at the school I will also be bringing a different perspective to support our children's futures.

I am fascinated by how children learn and want to use this curiosity to support school improvement to ensure all children achieve their potential.

Lesley Lawrence (Headteacher; Ex-Officio Governor)

During my  35 years in Education, I  have worked across five different schools in Surrey and Hampshire. Having initially qualified with a Town and Country Planning degree from Bristol, I  decided to take a post graduate qualification in primary education and train as a teacher, with a view to make a real difference in life and help children achieve their full potential.

I am infant/junior trained, and have worked in many primary and junior schools, though my main experience has been in the junior phase. I have been Headteacher of West Byfleet Junior School for 22 years and have thoroughly enjoyed the journey that the school has been on over this time; “to me the school epitomises an aspirational culture where the child is at the heart of everything we do.”

I qualified as a Local Leader in Education in 2010,having initially qualified as a headteacher with my NPQH in 2001.

I am extremely proud of  the school I lead and feel very privileged to be a part of a great team of wonderful committed staff, highly supportive parents and above all wonderful children.

Paul Hardwick (Acting Chair of Governors, Co-opted Governor)

As a current Deputy Headteacher, I am fully aware of the importance of the Governing Body in supporting the Head and the team to ensure the school is well managed. I have been teaching for 18 years across both private and state sectors and experienced education systems in different countries (Australia and Rwanda)

I am currently a Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leader and fully trained for this vital role.

With my combined skills I am  an excellent communicator, regularly meeting with parents to discuss their child's progress. In addition, I have a very strong sporting background which I intend to utilise for the benefit of the school and its strategy for Sports Premium.

 

Kate Glennon (Co-opted Governor)

 

I qualified as a primary school teacher in 2004 and since then I have worked in three schools across Surrey and London. During my time as a teacher I have had the pleasure of teaching many children from a range of backgrounds. I have taken on many leadership roles, starting with middle leadership and culminating as Curriculum Leader on the Senior Leadership Team at my last school. My role on the SLT gave me many opportunities to have an impact on a whole school level; observe and provide support to teachers; develop subject leaders and provide the school with a broad and balanced curriculum. 

In 2017 I had my second child and decided I would take time out of work to spend time with my children. We also decided it was the time to move and we have now lived in the area for nearly two years. We love the area and feeling of community we have experienced.

Although I enjoy getting to spend this extra time with my children I feel that I have lots of skills and experience that I am not using. Becoming a school governor at West Byfleet Junior School gives me the opportunity to use these skills and experience and work as part of a team again. 

Natasha Beeby (Co-opted Governor)

Originally from Yorkshire, I travelled south to complete my PGCE at Cambridge University. I have followed my two passions, music and English, throughout my 8 years as a teacher. 

I am Head of English at Hoe Bridge School, although currently on maternity leave with my first child. 

I am passionate about engaging children with relevant learning and harnessing skills that are life long. Inspiring children and developing a love for the natural world so that we may learn from it is at the heart of my teaching: be it sustainability, diversity, or interdependence, there is much that we can learn and ensure a world in which we all can live for generations to come.

We are very lucky now to have books and reading material at our finger tips. Be it newspapers, journals, kindles, audiobooks, there is a plethora of ways to establish a good reading diet. Books offer so much to young minds: as a teacher, it is my priority to find books that speak to children and promote a curiosity with the world around them. In the words of Barack Obama, "Reading is the gateway skill that makes all other learning possible." 

Emma Rennie (Co-opted Governor)

I am a qualified accountant with nearly 20 years experience in a variety of finance roles including financial analysis, banking and financial control. I decided to become a governor because I wanted to give something back to the local community. The skills I have acquired during my career will help West Byfleet Junior School to provide the best for all its children.

 

As a parent of two daughters in the school I am keen to ensure all children are able to achieve their full potential, whatever challenges they face. I am a great believer in Inclusion and Diversity and wish to support the school in helping children benefit from all the opportunities on offer to them..

Jonathan Scott (Co-opted Governor)

I have 25 years leadership experience and management experience from a varied portfolio of jobs within the military, these include commanding a military school, training 3500 people  a year; leading a learning environment, shaping young individuals on the cusp of their careers and delighting in each individuals growth and success.

I have managed the careers of hundreds of soldiers and civil servants  throughout the course of my career and am very interested in well being. I also have experience in managing an organisation's finances including Public Private Partnership and procurement contracts.

As the son of two teachers, one being a Primary School Head for 37 years, I witnessed the importance of the parent governors role and all its aspects.

In addition, I feel that I can add value with a solid link to the community and in particular its serving and ex serving members and their children.

Shaista Hussain (Co-opted Governor)

n

My academic career led me through to reading for my PhD in Molecular Biology from the  University of Bristol. Since leaving academia and research I moved into the field of drug development progressing my career through the path of project management and now within leadership. I have had the opportunity to travel, and meet many people from a variety of cultural and socioeconomical backgrounds. My career has been fostered through my strong organizational, negotiation, communication, and leadership skills.

Outside of work I am a parent of three children aged 15, 13 and 11, all of whom share my interest of learning exploring and asking questions. I have and still am actively involved in my children’s school careers and in the past within their schools from Parent Rep through to treasurer of the PTA.

My interest in serving as a Governor is mainly to give back to the community; to use my skills to help propel the school forward in achieving its goals  per the expectations of all stakeholders: Board of Governors, the wider school community and in particular the children.  

Emily Strawson (Staff Governor)

I have been working in education for over 10 years in both mainstream and specialist education sector. I have previously served on another governing body and found the challenge an interesting opportunity to develop the strategic  vision of the school.

My knowledge and passion for high quality teaching and learning is the heart of my own personal ethos and believe we should strive to ensure the best learning opportunity for all.

Since becoming a mother, I find myself looking into the future and wondering what educational system my own children will encounter and therefore ensuring we are not only reflecting on the here and now but ensuring we protect  WBJS for the future.