Governors (ID 1209)

• Mr Mark Banham
  Chair of Local Governing Body
  Mr Mark Banham

  I have been a Foundation Governor since 2013 and I live in Beechingstoke having retired from the Army and a follow-on role running a Non Departmental Government organisation working to the MOD. I am responsible for Finance, Health and Safety and Premises. I worked as the Woodborough lead Governor in the formation of the EQUA MAT and now represent all of the Primary Schools on the EQUA Resources Committee. I am committed to supporting Woodborough School in its continued improvement, preserving the identities of primary schools within the MAT, and using my experience of running large organisations to introduce efficient processes and ease the burden of the staff in making Woodborough a special place for children.

• Mrs Nicola Sutherland
  Vice Chair of Local Governing Body
  Mrs Nicola Sutherland

  I joined the Governing Body in June 2018 as I felt the time was right to give something back. Woodborough School is at the heart of our community and one of its many strengths is the strong partnership between parents, staff, governors, children and wider community. Like many people I feel that Woodborough School is a special place and I have a real desire to see it thrive and achieve the highest standards in all respects. I hold a genuine belief that every child should leave Woodborough School having grown to reach their full potential. Although work and family keep me busy I do try to find the time to pursue some of the other interests I enjoy, including amateur photography, gardening (not as often as I’d like but the wildlife thanks us for it), reading and travel (mostly arm chair these days). My husband, two children and I moved to Bottlesford in 2011 and my association with Woodborough School started as a parent in 2012.

• Mrs Sally Banham
  Foundation Governor
  Mrs Sally Banham

  My name is Sally Banham and I have been a Foundation Governor since 2015. I have lived in Beechingstoke since 2001. I am also a member of the PCC. Although my two children are grown up I am happy to support Woodborough School at this important time and as a lawyer for NHS England I can offer a legal perspective to the Governors discussion. My specialisations are healthcare law and property.

• Mrs Hettie Hodgkinson
  Parent Governor
  Mrs Hettie Hodgkinson

  I became a parent governor in 2021 after witnessing first-hand Woodborough's positive and proactive response to the many challenges presented by Covid-19. I was impressed by the commitment of the staff to provide the very best education and opportunities to every pupil, even under the most difficult circumstances, and wanted to be able to give something back and to contribute to the school’s ongoing success. I have been a parent at Woodborough since 2018, with two sons now at the school and my daughter due to join in 2023. My professional background is in features journalism, working as deputy editor of the London Evening Standard magazine for many years, and latterly at the Sunday Telegraph. I live locally with my husband and children.

• Mrs Clara Hickman
  Foundation Governor
  Mrs Clara Hickman

  Having seen the fantastic education that my 3 children had at Woodborough School I was so pleased to become a Foundation Governor at the start of 2023. It is a great privilege to join such a talented governing body and I am really looking forward to supporting the school in any way I can. I spent 15 years working as a TV producer in London before moving back to Wiltshire and working at Devizes based charity Community First. Since then, I have set up a small environmental charity monitoring weather data in the southern African mountains.

• Mrs Chrissi Dowling
  Foundation Governor
  Mrs Chrissi Dowling

  I am a Foundation Governor and also volunteer at the school hearing children read which I enjoy very much. I live in Beechingstoke having moved from Bath almost 3 years ago where I was Deputy Matron at a Prep school. I have found Woodborough School to be such a happy environment and I am looking forward to being part of its community.

• Mrs Mary Partis
  Foundation Governor
  Mrs Mary Partis

  I am a Foundation Governor with a long history of involvement with Woodborough School, which began in 1998 when my first daughter began her education pathway at the school, my second daughter joined in 2001, by which time I had become a governor. Firstly as a Parent Governor and then a Foundation Governor. In my previous life I was a midwife, working in Gloucester, Swindon and Devizes and a teaching assistant at Woodborough School. Having taken a break from governorship and recently retired from Woodborough School due to ill health, I returned in June 2022 to join the now Local Governing Body of EQUA Mat. I am relearning the role of a governor, and will be involved in supporting Religious Education, Collective Worship and the impending SIAMS inspection, as well as supporting Woodborough School in whatever else comes their way.

• Mr James Hickey
  Parent Governor
  Mr James Hickey

• Mrs Jo Needham
  Staff Governor
  Mrs Jo Needham

  I have taught at Woodborough School for nineteen years, joining the school as a Newly Qualified Teacher. During this time, I have taught every year group in Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. Since 2013 I have been the Curriculum Subject Leader for Religious Education and Collective Worship, leading us through very successful Church School inspections. I am also a Religious Education Hub Lead Practitioner for Salisbury Diocese and am responsible for planning and delivering Network meetings to schools in north/mid Wiltshire three times a year. I also have a very active role within RE across the EQUA MEAD Learning Trust and more recently joining their Church Schools Flourishing Team.

  I am delighted to represent our hardworking and innovative staff as well as working with the governing body to further improve and develop Woodborough Primary School. I live locally with my husband and three sons, the eldest of whom thoroughly enjoyed his time at Woodborough School.

• Mrs Katie Scaplehorn
  Ex-offico Headteacher
  Mrs Katie Scaplehorn

  I meet with governors regularly to report on curriculum, budget, resources and progress relating to the school improvement plan. Governors hold me to account by asking challenging questions during meetings and monitoring visits. As a leader, I am committed to our school’s vision and Christian values. I lead with love by building and nurturing high-quality and meaningful relationships between all members of our school community to enable all to flourish. Our values can be seen in the quality of our relationships which are based on respect for all and an understanding that we are all valued.