The Governors of the school would be delighted to hear from parents, carers and local residents who may be interested in becoming a governor.
Sadie Thorne - Co-Opted Governor & Finance Lead
My name is Sadie Thorne and I am one of the Parent Governors at the school.
I originally trained as Chartered Tax Adviser, working in the private sector, to help businesses move their expatriates around the world in a cost-effective way. After being on a career break for a month I applied for a job as the Holmer Green Junior School bursar and spent 6 years in this role. Working in a school was a real eye opener to the pressures that Schools are under and when leaving my role as bursar I had the opportunity to become a Parent Governor. The role of a Parent Governor is the same as all other Governors on the board, however we have the unique viewpoint of the parent perspective at school and bring this to our discussions.
Being part of the governing board provides insight into the strategic direction of the school and allows me to use the knowledge I built up during my time working in public sector finance. I am also the Development governor for the board so I am responsible for ensuring Governors have the correct training and development in order to fulfil their roles.
I have three children who have all attended the School and have seen many changes during this time. Throughout my experience of being a parent at this school, the commitment of the staff to providing great learning experiences has remained consistent.
I am now working full time in a Tax Technology Transformation role which allows me to travel to a variety of European destinations where I get to sample a lot of good food! I also have two dogs and enjoy walking them through the local woods and countryside.
Vicki Fitt - Local Authority Governor
I have been a governor at Holmer Green Junior School since September 2021, having previously served on two other local schools’ governing boards. Being a school governor is not easy: it requires time, commitment and a willingness to take hard decisions. But my background in education and finance allows me to bring experience and expertise that makes the role so very rewarding.
Being the school’s Local Authority (LA) Governor, I feed the LA perspective into governing board discussions to inform debate. This does not mean I have to agree with the LA view or that I am expected to do their bidding. Like all governors, I act in the best interests of the school and wider community to secure the best possible education for the children. Nothing is more important to me than engaging our young people in learning and I have clearly passed this passion onto my wonderful son, who is now teaching in a Bucks secondary school.
When not tied to my sewing machine or working on stained glass pieces, you will find me at a local theatre where I work part time in the Box Office, loving every minute of it.
Stephanie Gordon - Co-Opted Governor
As a Co-opted Governor it has been fantastic to become part of the Holmer Green community and understand the vision of the school. In my role as Governor, I am currently overseeing the SEND provisions at the school and the staff Performance Management process.
I have been a Science teacher for over 10 years, starting off in Devon at a school specialising in Special Educational Needs. I moved to the area in 2021 and currently teach Biology at a local Grammar school. This has given me a whole breadth of experience in understanding what students need to be both supported and challenged in their education. Alongside Science teaching, I am enthusiastic about education technology for broadening experiences, enabling greater access to resources and enhancing engagement.
I have also been fortunate to have been a Key Stage lead for Science and qualified PGCE mentor, while successfully completing my NPQ in Leading Teaching. These experiences will be valuable in supporting the school with strategic planning and staff development.
As a parent of two young children, I am passionate about the importance of quality teaching alongside a strong community for giving young people the best start in life.
Helen Weber - Staff Governor
Hello, my name is Helen Weber and I am the Staff Governor for the school. I work as a Teaching Assistant/1:1 Specialist support Assistant and I am the Mental Health Lead and SEAL (Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning) Support for the school.
I have been working at the school for over 9 years now, but have had contact with the school for many more, having had 3 children attend all 3 local schools. If you haven’t seen me around school, you may have seen me on the side of a football pitch at HGSA, even in the rain!
As the Staff Governor, I bring my professional experience and knowledge to the Governing body, as well as a staff viewpoint and perspective to all discussions and debates. Being a staff member, and now a Governor, I am committed to ensuring every child receives a well-rounded education and that we have a positive impact on every child.
In my spare time, I like reading and cooking, so the staff room is always well stocked with cakes, biscuits and chocolate!
Aylish Showan - Co-opted Governor
Many of you may already know me as having been your child’s class teacher. I qualified as a teacher in 2014 after completing my PGCE at Oxford Brookes and I have been working at the school for just over 7 years after completing my NQT year in a school in Oxfordshire. Whilst at HGJS, I have worked in Years 3, 4 and 5 as well as leading various subject areas as well as being the curriculum co-ordinator lead and a mentor to other teachers. My specialism, however, has been teaching using technology.
I have been part of the schools governing body since 2018. As a governor, my responsibilities have mainly been focused on teaching and learning and the school development plan. I have enjoyed being able to have a wider view of the school as part of the governing body and it has helped me to develop professionally as a leader. A
As a governor and a teacher, I am committed to ensuring every child at Holmer Green Junior School is safe, happy and engaged with their learning.
Previously, in my spare time, I enjoy trying food from around the world and making my husband cook it, reading and video games. However, as I am about to embark on the journey of parenthood, that is probably all about to change!
Charlotte Parriss - Parent Governor
Where I work - I am a marketing professional with over 15 years of experience in the field of public relations and marketing. Currently I’m employed at the largest corporate hospitality company, driving successful and innovative marketing campaigns which I love.
What drove me to be a governor - I spent three years working in a local primary school, gaining valuable experience and insights into the education system. This experience motivated me to become a governor at the school - shaping the future of the institution and ensuring its continued growth and success.
Being a parent of two boys, one in year 3 and another in year 5, I am a firm believer that all children should have equal opportunities to reach their full potential.
My interesting fact - After university I travelled around the world, exploring various cultures. I loved working in California in a theme park and would love to go back to Australia and take the boys to climb the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge like I did many moons ago!
Governor details and interests
What do school governors do?
The National Governors Association website, is a useful information website for school governors and anyone with an interest in school governance, and designed to save you time and keep you up to date; the site is here.