SHAUN BAILEY:

I’m a parent governor who joined the governing body at the end of 2020.  Both of my children have attended the school, as did I and others in my family.  This means the school has a special place in my heart and I am happy to have seen the exciting changes that have occurred even in the short space of time I have been back at the school as a parent.  My role in the resources committee lets me bring 20 years’ experience in finance to support the team and the school.  In my spare time I love spending time with my family in and around town, particularly the river and I’m looking forward to the exciting times ahead as we move forward with the school and the challenges our post covid world brings.

PAUL BAKER:

I joined the St Nicholas CE Infants’ School governing body in July 2021 as a Community Governor. My two children attended the school between 2016 and 2021. During those five years I served on the committee of the PTA (FONS), and for the last three years as Chair. As a result, I have gained an appreciation for the immense qualities of the school, the challenges it faces and most of all a strong desire for it to succeed. 

I passionately believe in the importance of early years’ education, and schools as the lifeblood of local communities – that the one enriches the other, and I have a particular interest in sports/ physical education, playing as I do for local cricket and hockey clubs. 

Most of all I’m keen to ensure as many opportunities as possible are available to our children, to help them become the best they be. 

MARIE-CLAIRE DAVIES:

I am a staff governor. I have two children of my own and have been involved in their preschool and schools throughout the years. I am passionate about drama and the arts and have recently taken up cycling.  I’m often found cycling around Wallingford early in the mornings.

I have been a teacher for over 25 years and a teacher here at St Nicholas for 3 years. I have been on the governing body of schools in the past and feel that it is important to represent staff at these meetings. Being part of the governing body allows us to continue to build and develop the school’s strengths and allows us to work together with the wider community to support our children to become the best they can be.

JANE EVANS:

My husband and I moved to Wallingford 4 years ago. The town very much ‘found us’ as we weren’t originally looking to move here, but we’re so glad it did as we love it. My career was as a primary school teacher. In spite of the long hours and hard work, nothing could beat the sheer joy and privilege of working alongside young children and their families. Then for the final 5 years before retiring last summer I had the honour of working as an advisory teacher for the County. The opportunity to become a governor at St Nicholas arose the day after I retired; perfect timing as I hoped this may be a chance for me to be able to give something back. I have strong links with St Mary Le More church and am one of your foundation governors.

LINDA HULL:

I have lived in Wallingford with my husband and family for over twenty years and in that time have enjoyed being part of the wonderful Wallingford community, through the Rowing Club, NCT and Wallingford Church Choir where my daughters sing.  Over this period I have been a teacher and school leader at schools across South Oxfordshire.  Most recently I was Head teacher at Kidmore End CE School, which is also in the Oxford Diocesan Schools Trust (ODST).  Although I am now taking a career break, I very much wanted to remain involved in schools, and to support my fellow head teachers in any way I can, so when approached by Reverend Rice I jumped at the opportunity to become a governor.  I am passionate about primary school education, and am delighted to join a governing body committed to continued improvement of this lovely school. 

AMY KING:

As Headteacher of St Nicholas C.E. Infants’ School, I am also part of the Local Governing Body. I began my role as Headteacher here at St Nicholas in 2015. As well as working as part of the governing body in relation to the strategic development of our school, I also report to governors about the school’s progress and achievements. It is a pleasure to be a part of the St Nicholas community, working alongside a talented and dedicated team who are all striving to support the children on their journey through school and becoming the best they can be.

DAVID RICE:

I have been delighted to be involved in St Nicholas School for over twenty years. As the school is a church school it has a special relationship with St Mary’s and St Leonard’s churches where I am also the Rector. It is through this relationship with the church that I am appointed as a foundation governor. I am interested in all aspects of school life and I am keen to ensure that children at school have every opportunity to develop their full potential. I really enjoy visiting school and talking with the children. I particularly enjoy leading collective worship. This is usually based around the school’s distinctive Christian values.  I hope these help to play a significant part in shaping who our children become.

HEATHER WILLIAMS:

I have been a parent governor since October 2019. I have a daughter in year 2, in Swallow class. I am chair of the teaching, learning and ethos committee, and the SEND link governor. I enjoy being able to play a role in supporting our community, our school and its values. My two years so far as governor have been highly out of the ordinary, and I am looking forward to more opportunities to visit the school and support it in emerging from covid. Outside my governor role, I work as an Associate Director for an environmental consultancy, in water management. I enjoy running and being outdoors.  

JAY YOUNGMAN:

I have been a governor at the school since 2016, sitting on the resources committee.

I studied Physics at University and now work in Finance for a FTSE250 utilities company, so have a strong numerate background and deep experience of constructive challenge. I'm a real advocate for the growth mind-set philosophy and am passionate about continuous improvement. I am married to a primary head teacher with two children of nursery and primary school age. I have had a keen interest in education for a long time, and as a result, becoming a governor seemed the natural role to enable me to give back to the community.