Governing Body 2020/2021

Governor Declarations 2020/2021

Instrument of Government

Governors in Post 2020/2021

Governor Committees 2020/2021

Governor Roles 2020/2021

Governor Faculty Links 2020/2021

Letchmore Infants’ and Nursery School

Governors Attendance Register 2020/2021 

Governor Biographies

Emma Loftus - Chair of Governors

I was delighted to be appointed a Governor for Letchmore Infants’ and Nursery in October 2020 and started on the Resources Committee. My background is in HR, working in various sectors over the years and currently in education for a Multi-Academy Trust in Hertfordshire. Education and the importance of learning and development for all ages interests me and being a Governor is a great opportunity to try to give something back to the local community. I am keen to utilise my skills to contribute to the continuing success as well as developing plans to benefit the children at the wonderful school of Letchmore Infants’ and Nursery. I have three children who are now all secondary age and as a family we have lived in different places in Hertfordshire over the years as well as living outside the UK.

Jo Harding - Co-Headteacher

I moved to Stevenage in 2002 and live locally with my husband and 3 young children.

I have been working at Letchmore Infants' and Nursery School since 2002 and joined the governing body shortly after. In 2018 I became Co-Headteacher alongside Kelly Nichol and together we strive to provide the best possible education for every child who comes to Letchmore. We are a strong team who value all members of the Letchmore community and are proud of the dedication shown by our supportive governing body. Letchmore continues to be an important part of the local community. I feel excited to see our school continue to develop in the future.

Janis Thorpe - Staff Governor

I became a staff governor in 2012 but have been working at the school since 1996. I have worked in nursery, reception and year one and I am currently Head of Early Years and a teacher in reception. I first became interested in being a governor to gain a different perspective of our school. It is a very interesting role and one that I very much enjoy.  I am inspired to continue my service as a governor to ensure we get the very best for the children at Letchmore.

As well as working at the school I also have grandchildren who attend or have attended Letchmore and presently have one grandchild in year 2 and one in nursery.

Michaela Benson - Co-opted Governor

I am proud to say that I have been a part of the Letchmore community since 2000, when my daughter started nursery. I was an active member of the PTA and began volunteering as a parent in 2003 when my son joined the nursery. I felt very privileged to be offered a part time teaching assistant role in 2004 and soon realised education would be my new career path. I became a full time teaching assistant in 2005 and attended university to gain my teaching degree. I was delighted to be offered a teacher training place at the school and was employed as a teacher in 2011. I am now an Assistant Headteacher with overall responsibility for Inclusion and a Designated Safeguarding Lead.

I am committed to ensuring that all our learners have access to a fun and engaging curriculum and that our children are educated in a safe and stimulating environment.

I became a governor when I was a teaching assistant. I am proud to say that the whole school community has strived to ensure that the school still has the same welcoming, inclusive feel as it did when I chose it for my children to attend in 2000.

Marj Shanahan - Co-opted Governor

I have been a civil servant for just over 28 years, working mainly in operational roles across Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire. I have recently started as a Customer Service Leader in West London.

I was appointed as a governor in January 2019. I am a member of the School Improvement Committee and also a lead governor on inclusion.

I became a governor to give something back to the community by contributing to the education of the children in the local area. My aim is to be able to make a positive contribution to the school and play an active role so it continues to maintain it's high standard and fantastic reputation.

Lisa Neville - Associate Governor

I have a long and happy history with Letchmore Infant School. My children attended the school and I began my career in education here as a teaching assistant. I went on to complete my teacher training at Letchmore and was lucky enough to be offered a teaching job in 2008. I have worked in EYFS and years 1 and 2 and I am passionate about delivering a curriculum that engages and inspires children to love learning and to want to face challenges with confidence every day. I am very proud to be Mathematics subject lead, Key Stage One Leader and Assistant Head at the school. As a member of school staff and a new associate governor, I look forward to responding to the responsibilities and challenges involved as I feel that I can contribute in a positive way to key decisions and discussions to ensure children are safe and access a broad and balanced curriculum.

Vikki Simmons - Co-opted Governor

Hello, I am new to the governing body at Letchmore, joining as a co-opted governor and working on the school improvement committee since March 2021. I am currently Assistant Headteacher, full time teacher and reading subject leader at the local link junior school where I have been part of the team for 7 years. In 2011, when training to become a teacher, I completed a placement at Letchmore in Nursery and have witnessed first-hand what a fantastic school it is since then. I am committed to playing a positive and effective role on the governing body and working alongside the other governors and with Letchmore staff and children to maintain the reputable standards of teaching and learning already established. 

Anthony Lanni - Parent Governor

I am a Dad of three with two children currently at Letchmore Infant and Nursery school and one at Almond Hill.
I was appointed as a governor in March 2020 and have since become Vice-Chair of Governors and Chair of the Resources Committee.
I am an IT solutions consultant, working on numerous projects with large Retailers and thought my skills would be transferable within the governing body.
I also wanted to be a governor to get a better understanding of schools, considering they are a big part of our family life. What better way to get involved than being a governor at the school.

Ian Panton - Parent Governor

I have lived in Stevenage for six years now, but my connection to the local area goes back much further through my family and my work as an aerospace engineer. I have two sons at the school, the eldest of which has now been through the full Letchmore School experience and is preparing to transition onward to Almond Hill. It’s been a joy to see how much he has enjoyed his crucial early years of education. Having seen all the hard work and dedication that goes on behind the scenes it now comes as little surprise that both my sons have had such a positive experience. 

My motivation for joining the governing board was primarily to contribute back to the local community, in whatever way I can, and to help the school maintain its already high standards. I have a passion for sport, science, and technology. Working for a satellite manufacturer my inner-geek is thrilled whenever the kids bring home space-themed projects.