Governing Body

Governing Body 2018/2019

Governor Declarations 2018/2019

Instrument of Government

Governors in Post 2018/2019

Governor Committees 2018/2019

Governor Roles 2018/2019

Governor Year Links 2018/2019

Governor Biographies

Kevin Bird - Chair of Governors and Parent Governor

I live close to and currently have two children attending our school and before my appointment as Chair I undertook a role of parent governor.

My career started (sometime ago...) as an engineer and currently I have the pleasure of managing the Asset Management Department for Tesco PLC.

If you would like to know more about our governing body or would be interested in joining us, I can be contacted via the school office.

Anthony Blythe - Vice Chair and Parent Governor

My interested in becoming a governor came from wanting to do more to support the school that has given my children a great start to education. 

Originally from Australia, I moved to England in 2004 and settled in Stevenage in 2007. I currently work in the financial services industry and have had a broad career in engineering, technology and real estate.

Whilst not having a background in education, I have found that there are so many other facets to running a school where I can offer meaningful value. I would encourage all parents to consider it. Outside of work and family life my main interest is running. I also volunteer with the Institute of Technology, assisting with professional registration.

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.

Kelly Nichol - Co-Headteacher

I have been the Co-Headteacher at Letchmore Infants' and Nursery School since April 2018. Prior to that I worked at Skyswood Primary and Nursery School in St Albans.

I have been delighted to become part of the team where there is a warm, family atmosphere, where everyone is working together to achieve the best possible outcomes for the children. We have an excellent staff team, together with a dedicated governing body which makes education at the school really enjoyable. It is a pleasure and a privilege to be the Co-Headteacher of such a fabulous school. Letchmore has always been at the heart of the community in the Old Town and provides the overall warmth I sought from a school when moving to headship. I feel sure that we will continue to be a thriving part of the local community for may years to come as we continue to build our success.

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.

Lisa Doke - Co-opted Governor

My two children have both attended Letchmore Infants' and Nursery School and I have been involved with the school since 2012. Firstly as a PTA committee member, assisting with the organisation all of the amazing events for the school in order to gain additional funding for resources for our children. After three years of being a PTA Committee member, I decided to become a governor.

I have been an Office Manager for a local engineering company for 7 years and prior to that was a Logistics Manager for a welding company.

I am currently linked governor for reception, pupil premium governor and also part of the School Improvement Committee.

Jude Lovelock - Co-opted Governor

I am the Headteacher at Almond Hill Junior School and I have been a governor at Letchmore Infants' and Nursery School for over 20 years. During this time I have served on most of the governor committees and this has enabled me to gain a good knowledge of the work of the school.

As the Head of the main feeder junior school for pupils at Letchmore, I work in close partnership with the leadership team and other staff and as a governor take a keen interested in how we can develop smooth transition for our pupils and their families.

Currently, I am appointed safeguarding governor and work with both Headteachers and designated senior leader to ensure that our procedures are effective and we offer the best pastoral care possible for our children.

Mark Evans - Co-opted Governor

Mark has been a governor at Letchmore Infant's and Nursery School for over 15 years and is currently a member of the Resources Committee.

Marj Shanahan - Local Authority 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.

Becca Pratt - Parent Governor

I have always lived in Stevenage apart from 3 years which I spent at Brighton University training to be a teacher. I met my husband at school and we now have 3 young children who keep us very busy. I am a part time primary school teacher in Welwyn Garden City and I currently teach year 2 children for 3 days per week.

I have been a parent governor at Letchmore since March 2017. As a teacher, I have seen the valuable role that the governing body has played in the schools where I have taught. When my son joined Letchmore I was pleased to be able to volunteer as a parent governor. My favourite aspect of being a governor is visiting the children and talking to them about their learning experiences. It gives a great insight of the impact of decisions made by the senior leaders and the governing body.

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.