Meet The Governors

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Meet The Governors

Jessica Auton

Co-opted governor

Carolyn Burleigh

Co-opted governor

Gillian Caddy

Staff governor

Hello my name is Gillian Caddy and I have been part of the Pinewood family for 30 years. First as a parent bringing my 1year old to the large toddler group that was based here. Then as a member of the Preschool committee, before joining the staff of both preschool and the school. When my elder daughter moved on to Guillemont and the younger was in year 1 I became a permanent member of the school staff as an LSA. They are now 31 and 29 and remember their time here fondly.

I have had the privilege of serving as a governor of Pinewood for 20 years.

There have been many changes over the past 30 years , not least the whole school building. But what stays constant is the way the school pulls together as a family with the children’s education and wellbeing at the heart of everything we do and I am very proud of being part of that special family.

As the child of an author and an artist, I have a love of English and Art and I particularly enjoy helping the children develop their reading, writing and art in their final year at Pinewood.

In my free time I enjoy various crafts and walking my dog.

Carolanne Dibnah

Co-opted governor

I joined Pinewood Infants as a Co-opted Governor in May 2019. I have twin boys attending Pinewood Infants, and have a keen interest in their education. I also wanted to give something back to the school and to help with building its future success for the next tranche of children who will attend the school. I work for a global manufacturing organisation as a Purchasing Manager, and in my spare time I enjoy reading and outdoor pursuits with my family.

Dennis Foster

Executive Headteacher

I am Denis Foster and on the 1st December 2019 I became the Executive Headteacher. My role is to over-see the strategic direction of the school and support all the staff to deliver high quality outcomes for all children both academically and socially within a caring and nurturing environment. I have been the Headteacher at Guillemont Junior School since April 2012 and for the past five years I have worked with Paul Shakespeare as Deputy.

Guillemont has been on a journey and I’m very proud to lead the school. I am always amazed by the talents of the children that we care for and educate. Paul and I share the same values and expectations. I’m confident that both schools will benefit from the newly formed partnership. I believe that all the children will thrive as we work together to achieve the best possible outcomes whatever their needs, irrespective of the starting points of the children. The Pinewood children are delightful and the staff are totally committed to ensuring all children enjoy attending school and achieve the best possible outcomes.

Stephanie Hartley

Co-opted governor

I joined the Governing Board in May 2019 as a co-opted Governor and have since taken on the role as the SEN Governor. My daughter currently attends the Resourced Provision in Year 2 and ever since she started in September 2017, her additional needs have been supported fantastically. As such I was keen to “give something back” to the school and am passionate that all children receive the best educational experience they can.

I work for a US Bank in the city and have a background in Finance and relationship management so it has been a steep learning curve for me. I am thoroughly enjoying learning all about the school and the education arena. It really is exciting to be part of the Governing Board which helps with the strategic planning for the school.

In my spare time, I enjoying running and gardening and spending time with family and friends.

Linda McBrearty

Clerk to the Governing Body

I have worked as a Local Authority Clerk for the last four years, working with the governing bodies of various schools, both Infant and Junior. I am now also supporting Pinewood.

I have worked in Education almost all of my working life, including sixteen years as a Bursar in large secondary schools, as a Project Manager / Accountant for large educational building projects in various areas of the country and for a time as a EU Grant Auditor for the Audit Commission.

I very much enjoy working with Pinewood School and wish them every success.

Verity Marsland

Co-opted governor

Hello, my name is Verity Marsland and I became a governor at Pinewood Infant School in July 2020. I have previously worked in the Pinewood school office and have a good working knowledge of the school and the challenges it faces. I still work within the education sector and am currently an Exams & Data Manager at a local secondary school.

I have two young school age children so have first-hand experience of the worries parents experience when their child steps through those school doors for the first time and I believe this will help me in my role as governor.

Pinewood is a fantastic school with an enthusiastic and committed team so I am excited to work alongside and support them during the next phase of the schools journey.

Clive Norris

Chair of the Full Governing Body

Although I have only recently become a governor and then elected Chair of Governors this July, my association with Pinewood began many years ago we first moved into the area from Cheshire and I had the task of finding a school for my then toddler sons. I found Pinewood!

All my three sons attended, before progressing to Guillemont – they are now grown up with families of their own. Whilst they were at Guillemont, I became a governor, and then Chair of Governors, a post I have held for a number of years now.

As Guillemont’s nearest neighbour and feeder school, the schools have common interests and serve the same community. I was a member of the Guillemont team supporting the campaign to rebuild the school after it was burnt down a few years back.

I am now retired, my career was in systems support, sales and marketing in the IT industry. My spare time interests are reading, running, hiking, golf and the grandchildren!

I have always had an interest in the development of young people and the important part schools play in enriching and supporting their communities.
Both schools are forward looking, share the same values and ethos and I look forward to being part of the developing partnership between the two schools.

Anand Raithatha

Parent Governor

Heather Ryder

Vice Chair of the Full Governing Body, Co-opted governor and chair of the Children and Learning Committee

Hello. I have been on the governing body of Pinewood Infants for two years. My background is in education as I have taught in several schools in the area over the years. In addition I live in the local area; my own children having attended both Pinewood and Guillemont.

Since my retirement, becoming a governor has enabled me to remain involved in education and to continue to use the knowledge and skills that I have gained over the years. The friendly, welcoming atmosphere at Pinewood attracted me to the school and I thoroughly enjoy the visits that I make and being involved in the children’s learning activities. I enjoy working with the members of the governing body to support the school in delivering a high quality of education for all Pinewood children. I am looking forward to forming links with Guillemont and the local community as Pinewood enters a new, exciting phase.

Paul Shakespeare

Acting Headteacher

My name is Paul Shakespeare and I am the Acting Head Teacher of Pinewood Infant School. I have taught for 17 years and I am also the Deputy Head of Guillemont Junior School. Having been a successful Deputy Headteacher since 2012, I am thoroughly enjoying the opportunity of leading Pinewood, alongside the Executive Headteacher, Denis Foster.

Pinewood is a wonderful, inclusive school where children are encouraged, supported and challenged to achieve their very best. The school works hard with all stakeholders to promote the highest possible outcomes for every pupil. Pastoral support, emotional well-being and resilience are promoted and valued alongside academic achievement. I want Pinewood to be leading the way with innovative, inspiring teaching which creates and develops inquisitive children who are fully engaged in their own learning journey and ready for the next stage in their education.