Governance

Dr Alison Mitchell, Chair of Primary LGB

A scientist by qualification, I spent several years working in academic research before embarking on a fulfilling career in the pharmaceutical industry. Living in Kintbury with my family since 1994, I have supported the local community in various voluntary roles. 

I started my experience in school governance in 2005, and as a mother of 5 children who have been through, primary, secondary and further education my passion for schools to provide children with the best possible opportunities to become successful and life-long learners continues.

In 2014, I was delighted to become a governor at Speenhamland School and support its transition to Newbury Academy Trust. I feel very privileged to work alongside staff and fellow governors and trustees across all three schools in the Trust and value the opportunity to make a positive impact on the well-being and outcomes of pupils/students throughout their schooling.

 

Mr Hugo Bailey

After moving back to Newbury where I grew up, I was appointed to the local governing board in 2022 and I'm keen to give back some of my time to education in my local community. I have a particular interest in education and hope to move into teaching later in my career. I have a wide range of skills and experience across a variety of industries working for several technology start-ups and I hope that this breadth can provide a useful perspective to the board. In my work on the board, I have a particular focus on management/leadership, data analysis, impact assessment and project management and I hope to get involved in other areas of school life. In my spare time, I am a keen woodworker - making furniture in particular - and long walks in the countryside.

 

Mrs Sarah Walton

I am a parent of 3 children with 1 being at Speenhamland, 1 at secondary school and 1 home educated. Personally, I have experience of parenting children with physical disability, SEND and neurodiversity. I am a special guardian for one of my children and therefore have experience in kinship care and parenting a child with pre birth trauma. Professionally I am an operations manager of children’s residential homes across Berkshire and Hampshire and have over 20 years experience within this sector. My passions as a result of this include the safeguarding of children, in particular contextual safeguarding, and therapeutic care of children. I am a CEOP (child exploitation and online protection) education ambassador and alongside diplomas in residential care to include level 4 in leadership and management I also hold various qualifications around therapeutic care to include most recently a diploma in advanced therapeutic parenting. I am currently completing study to be a therapeutic parenting coach. I consider myself to be an advocate for all children and young people, particularly for those who are may be disadvantaged through circumstances that are no fault of their own such as disability, trauma or adversity. I recognise and embrace the need for professional networks to work effectively together to improve outcomes for children and young people and for parents to be valued contributors to these wider networks.

 

Mr Nick Blair

I have lived in the area for 30 years having been to school myself in Newbury and I have deep roots in the community. I worked within the Newbury Academy Trust for 10+ years and understand the importance of the work it does for the students and so I am excited at the opportunity to be part of helping the students at Fir Tree continue their great work. I work freelance in the arts in the film sector and on the weekends I coach a local junior rugby team (and turn out myself for the seniors).

 

Mrs Sandra Maher

I have always shared a deep-rooted passion for nurturing children in their educational journey. I strongly empathise with the children who find the educational system more challenging. Having been a teaching assistant since 2003, working both within the secondary and primary sector, I have completed training which supports a range of multisensory strategies to achieve the best possible outcomes for all pupils. With the new Ofsted toolkit focusing heavily on inclusion, I am well-equipped to support the school in developing the provision for our most disadvantaged learners. My dedication as a member of staff for the last four years at Speenhamland, aligns with my belief in giving back to the community. I value the opportunity to be a part of a team with the purpose of contributing meaningfully to the growth and development of Speenhamland. I am confident that I can provide the level of challenge needed to hold leaders to account.

 

Mr Tristan de la Haye

As a local parent and member of the community, I am passionate about supporting children’s education and wellbeing. With a genuine interest in helping young people reach their full potential, I am delighted to work with staff and fellow governors across the Trust to play an active part in shaping the future.

I believe every child should have the chance to thrive in a supportive, creative, and inclusive environment. By working in the Trust, I hope to contribute positively to the three school’s ongoing development and ensure that pupils have the best possible opportunities both inside and outside the classroom.

 

Dr Charlotte Wilson

I am proud to be the Executive Headteacher and CEO of the Newbury Academy Trust.  I love working across our schools which are at the heart of our community serving children and their families.  I am a qualified Geography Teacher and have taught in a range of comprehensive schools since qualifying in 1996.  I am passionate about lifelong learning and recently achieved my Doctorate in Education from Reading University.  I am also a Lead Ofsted Inspector across the South East region.