Governors

I am a Chartered Engineer and Builder and Regional Preconstruction Manager, specialising in healthcare, with Kier Southern (who I have worked with for the past 30 years).
I have recently been elected a Co-Chair of Governors with the intention to become Chair of Governors in the New Year.
My first association with Springhallow started in 2008 when Kier were appointed to undertake the design and construction for the new school. I was subsequently approached by the then Head to become a governor and I eagerly took up the role.
My two elder brothers have had various complications with Autism and Cerebral palsy but have always been at the centre of our family. This has given me a unique insight with the challenges and problems associated with Autism within the family environment and how I am best placed to make a difference with our children both at home and within our fantastic school at Springhallow.

I have been associated with Springhallow School for more than 14 years, as my son Jamie was a pupil for over 11 years, leaving in the summer of 2017.
I became a governor in 2016 as I felt I had time to focus on role, having retired from BT Group plc the previous year. I am a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales and over the last 10 years have also been Treasurer of Friends of Springhallow (FoS).
I am currently Vice Chair of Governors and Chair of the Resources Committee. I am also one of the Special Schools representatives on the Ealing Schools Forum, where I attempt to make some sense of the extensive financial information that the Officers of Ealing Council produce, as they provide funding for all LA schools across the borough.
I have a particular interest in seeing how Springhallow might maximise benefits for the school through its strengths in such areas as Outreach and pupil assessment systems, both of which could be of interest to
mainstream schools which have growing numbers in ARP units. I have also been closely involved in the planning for the Springhallow Post-16 provision, which was launched so successfully just over a year ago.

I became a Parent Governor about 9 years ago when our son attended Springhallow. We received phenomenal support from the school and experienced first-hand the difference it made to his and our lives.
In my “day job” I work for Contact Ealing and have previously worked for the early years SEN support group P.E.S.T.S. and the Ealing Parent Carer Forum. I have a good understanding of the SEN sector in Ealing including the many recent changes, and appreciate the challenges faced by both the Springhallow families as well as the school itself.
I believe as the Springhallow Governing Body we have a good mix of skills and expertise to support and, where necessary, challenge the school and am very happy to co-chair the Governing Body with Eddie this year.

I have been at Springhallow School as Head Teacher since April 2017. I have been a qualified teacher since 2001, and have had many years working as a senior leader in a range of special schools.
I gained an MA in Professional Studies in Education from Kingston University in 2007, basing my thesis on educating and supporting children and young people with Autism.

I joined the team in November 2018. My son started at Springhallow in September 2016 when he was ten years old.
I have an academic background in science and engineering. I have worked for a utility company for nearly thirty years in various leadership roles. For the last decade in strategy and long term planning.
I want to contribute to ensuring all students are happy at Springhallow and achieve the best they can. I have a particular interest in ensuring the post 16 provision meets the needs of students.