"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Thatcham Park Governors
Instrument of Government
Alison Webster - Headteacher
The Headteacher is an Ex-officio governor which means she is a member of the governing board by virtue of the position held in school and does not need to be elected.
Mark Bennet Co-Chair of Governors, Chair of Finance
Foundation Governor
Committees: Finance and Resources.
Link Governor - Assessment (joint)
I have been Team Rector of St Mary's Church since 2011, and was previously a curate in Chapel Allerton (Leeds) and Team Rector in Great Parndon (Harlow). Before training to be a vicar I worked as a chartered accountant (a qualification I still maintain) and I have been a passionate mathematician all my life. I am also a Director of The Kennet School Academy Trust and a governor of Kennet School as well as being a Berkshire representative on the Oxford Dicesan Board of Education.
I learned to work with schools in Leeds, where the deputy head treated me like a young teacher and gave me feedback on everything I did, and I learned about governance in rather hard circumstances in Harlow. I engage with various online governors forums and education blogs to keep informed and up to date. The church should not be in education if it cannot do a good job - and that means the church in Thatcham supporting Thatcham Park School in practical ways, from the youngest child to the most senior adult. My own schools giae me a great chance in ife. Our pupils deserve the same.
Rachael Lorman Co-Chair of Governors Chair of Pupil Progress and Learning
Co-Opted Governor
Committee - PP & L
Link Governor : Inclusion Governor including SEND/Pupil Premium/Behaviour and Attendance.
I joined Thatcham Park School as a governor in September 2021, having first become aware of the school in early 2020 when my children attended some key worker support that was hosted at the school for the West Berkshire area.
As mum to boy and girl twins who are also primary school age I know the importance of these early years on all aspects of a child's development and it is for this reason I decided to take this opportunity as a governor. I believe it important that a school should offer a safe and secure environment that allows every pupil to fulfil their potential whilst having fun and making friends.
My hope is that I can bring some of my experience and knowledge from working in the private retail and food manufacturing sector to the board especially in areas relating to the running of behind the scenes elements of the school.
Mark Dixon
Co-Opted Governor
Committees Finance and Resources
Link Governor - Health and Safety
As a HR leader with a proactive international career across Manufacturing Sales and Marketing, Financial Services, Global/Regional HQ functions and most recently Non-Maintained Special School Education, my approach to my career has focused on valuing differences and cultivating inclusion, ensuring empowerment, engagement, development and a sense of belonging with complex organisations: qualities that I believe are transferable and supportive towards my role as Co-opted Governor here at Thatcham Park. I'm also a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD; qualifying my committment to continuous personal and professional development.
Married with two children (currently attending University and Kennet School (one of whom also attended Thatcham Park) and living in Thatcham, my Governor role provides me with a direct opportunity to support the learning environment of children in our local community and also support the development of the partnership between their parents, carers and the school.
Rhiannon Dargan
Staff Governor
Committees: Pupil Progress and Learning & Finance and Resources
I joined Thatcham Park staff team in 2014, having previously worked in music education for 17 years. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here, working across the age ranges and with the fantastic and welcoming team. When the opportunity arose for a new Staff Governor I was keen to become involved, both to expand my understanding of the 'behind the scenes' work that goes into the running of the school and also to support the Leadership Team and staff members at what is such a critical and fast-paced time of change in education.
I have been very excited to have been involved in the expansion and development of Early Years provision at Thatcham Park including the opening of Stepping Stones and the increase in Foundation 1 places. I am a passionate believer in the value and importance of Early Years education and share this on a regular basis with the other members of the Board.
Nick Hayes (appointed 24/10/23)
Parent Governor
Committees: Vice Chair Finance and Resources
I Joined Thatcham Park as a parent Governor in 2023, with my eldest being a pupil here since 2018. I now have 3 children benefitting from the excellent School environment here and wanted to give something back.I have always lived locally and both my parents were primary School teachers so I have always been intrigued into how a school really operates and know how essential they are for providing our children with a great start to their education journey.
I work as a project manager in the FMCG industry and hopefully my business experience can help where required.
I very much believe in the school's values and vision and take pride seeing it lived and breathed every day through my children.
Leanne Fowler
Foundation Governor
Committees: Pupil Progress and Learning
My name is Reverend Leanne Fowler and I am delighted to be appointed by the Oxford Diocese as Foundation Governor for Thatcham Park School.
Many of you already know me as Mrs Fowler, as I have only recently been Ordained as a Deacon in the Church of England and had previously worked at Thatcham Park School as a Teaching Assistant and then as a Pastoral Support Assistant.
My Thatcham Park life began in 2009 when my son joined the school, and my daughter in 2013. In 2016, I co-chaired the PTFA until I joined the support staff team in 2019. I have many fond memories of the school and even though I have left education as a vocation, I have woven so much time, effort, and love into Thatcham Park that I would like to continue to be a part of its heart with my new vocation.
I believe wholeheartedly in our community being made up of such wonderful, diverse, and unique individuals and my new role as Foundation Governor will be spent making sure the spirit of the school is upheld.
Linda Wood Vice Chair - Pupil Progress and Learning
Co- Opted Governor
Committee - Pupil Progress and Learning
Link Governor - Assessment (Joint) and Safeguarding.
After 39 teaching in West Berkshire and Buckinghamshire including working both a Head and an advisory teacher I decided to retire from the day to day chalk face but wanted to still be involved in education.
I have visited Thatchem Park many times and worked with Alison Webster on several projects and believe it to be a caring school, with strong leadership, that aims to do its very best for all pupils. This and the Christian ethos all echo with my own values and beliefs and I am keen to help support the school in any way I can.
I am married with two grown up daughters and have recently been adopted by a black Labrador who believes the world is for walking in and chasing! If I survive puppyhood I intend to visit the school as much as possible.
Emma Gillespie
LA Governor
Committee: PPL
I joined Thatcham Park as a Local Authority Governor in 2024 with my two children starting in the Early Years provision. I have lived locally for the past ten years and therefore know the community well.
I have over 12 years experience in the education sector having worked in a number of different local authorities. I am currently an Assistant Headteacher responsible for Teaching and Learning, ensuring a broad and balanced curriculum and improving professional development for staff.
Having served as a Governor in the local area in the past I felt my knowledge would be a valuable asset to the board. The School has very clear vision and values which I wholeheartedly believe in and would like to help develop in any way I can.
Lisa Gooch
Co-Opted Governor - Term of Office Ends 31/07/24
Committee PP & L
Link Governor - Reading
I have been part of the Thatcham Park School community since my son started F1 nursery in 2012, he has since moved on to secondary school and is thriving following his great foundation from TP. When my daughter joined the school in 2016 I became more actively involved in supporting the fantastic PTFA, later a trustee and secretary of the charity for two years before passing the baton on to a new team with fresh fund-raising ideas. I also support the School, when time allow, by volunteering on trips and listenting to children read.
In recent years I attended the Governors External Relations and Pastroral Care Committee (EXPC) as the PTFA respresentaive link and gained an insight into the incredible work and support that you can provide the school as a Governor to make a real difference. For children to become successful they must be happy and feel safe in their learning enviornment, this is something that is promoted excellently throughout TP. I was appointed Co-opted Governor in March 2021.
Outside of being a mum, I work as Bid Manager for a facilities company and feel that this provides me with a different perspective that the corporate world brings and also an understanding of the challenges on working parents.
I see my role as a school governor to be a combination of challenge and support to the excellent senior leadership team; to help staff make good decisions, to value parents, with a child-centrered education for all children. All children deserve us to do our very best.
Sue Nicholson - Chair - Term of Office ended 31/12/23
My career has been in education, for many years as a teacher and senior manager in the secondary sector. More recently I fulfilled the role of Local Authority ICT Advisor, working with both primary and secondary schools. Currently I run my own business as an educational consultant, where I work at both stategic and practical levels, mainly assisting schools in developing ICT both in terms of the curriculum and hardware provision . I have specific interest in all aspects of internet safety encouraging our young people to be safe and responsible users of web based tools and resources.
My passion has always been that of enabling people to make good use of their skills and talents, so much of my life is spent empowering others, especially in their use of ICT, as and when appropriate to them.
Working in and around schools all of my life, I have an interest in school governance and joined the Thatcham Park Board to put my skills to practical use in supporting a local school.
Sian Smithers Co - Chair of Governors. Vice Chair of Finance and Resources
LA Governor - Term of Office Ended 31/09/24
Committee: Finance and Resources.
Link Governor - Early Years
I have two daughters both of who have attended Thatcham Park. My youngest daughter still attends Thatcham Park. I have lived in Thatcham for over 30 years and have a solid knowledge of the local area and community groups. I decided to become a parent governor because I wanted to help make Thatcham Park as good as it can possibly can be, for the benefit of all the children.
I have 17 years’ experience as a primary school teacher in an Ofsted rated outstanding school. I have been a mentor to newly qualified teachers; have supported other schools in their literacy development and run assessment and moderation training. I am currenty the assistant headteacher a role which see's me support, lead and help manage our busy school community.
I have sat on charity committees and volunteered for over 20 years at my local disabled sailing centre. I am therefore familiar with presenting and digesting materials at committee level.
It is my belief that the children of Thatcham Park should have fun while they learn; make friends in a safe and nurturing environment whilst striving to achieve academic excellence. I would like to be part of a governing body that ensures these are met.
I am friendly, approachable and will strive to promote open communication between the school, parents and pupils.
More than anything I am driven to see children of all abilities succeed.
Sue Ball
Foundation Co-Opted Governor Term of Office Ends 31/07/24
Committee: PPL
Link Governor - SIAMS/R.E
Recently retired from 10 years as a headteacher and 18 years as a primary school teacher in West Berkshire Schools, I still have a passion and a drive to help schools be the best that they can be and therefore ensuring children have opportunities to shine.
I have worked across all three key stages teaching Foundation, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. The impact that adults have on children's lives is immense and that is why it is important for governors to be able to both support and challenge the school using their wide range of skills. Obviously, my skills centre mainly around Education. However, I worked in the City for an airline and through this I gained knowledge of computer systems. I then worked for a further four years in the IT industry which is when smaller companies were just beginnng to realise the power of computers and how they could be used to store data and easily communicate with others.
After a career break of just 2 and a half years when I had my daughter I realised that now was the time to fulfil my lifelong passion to teach children. I feel privileged to have been asked to be a Foundation Governor at Thatcham Park and I hope now to be able to use all these skills to contribute to the further development of this amazing school.
Minutes from meetings
Copies of minutes from all governing board meetings are available by contacting gclerk@thatchampark.w-berks.sch.uk