Sarah Asher - Chair  - Parent Governor

I was appointed in November 2021 as parent governor. I subsequently become vice chair of governors in September 2022 and from the middle of March 2023 will be Chair of Governors.

Having worked as a professional fundraiser for statutory and charitable organisations, I have significant experience of project management, income generation, stakeholder relationships, charity governance and informal learning / engagement activities, which I bring to the role of governor.  I have three children in the school and a third who hopes to join in 2023. I am committed to sharing my skills and time as a parent governor to ensure everyone in our school community is happy and thriving. 

Caroline Devince - Vice Chair - Co-opted Governor

I live in Walton on the Hill with my husband, son and daughter.  My son attends school and my daughter will start in September 2024.  

I joined the governing body in November 2022 as an associate governor with responsibility for environmental sustainability and in September 2023 was appointed as a co-opted governor and elected vice chair.  

My career has been spent in education: as a primary school teacher in schools in South London, and in a variety of roles in the Department for Education. Most recently, I worked on sustainability and climate change in the Department for Education.  I led on stakeholder engagement and communications while developing the climate and sustainability strategy for schools, colleges and nurseries, followed by creating a change programme and training for civil servants.  My experiences of working in central government, with local authorities and Academy Trusts, and both with and within schools are beneficial to my role as governor and I hope to support the school and staff so all children thrive now and in the world of the future.

Neil Skinner - Co-opted Governor 

I was elected as a parent governor in September 2013 and converted to become a co-opted governor when I became chair of governors in 2017, a post which I held for 3 years, becoming vice chair for 2021/22. During the past year, we've grown the number of people on the governing body to include more specialist knowledge of key areas such as teachers and leaders from other schools.

As you've probably read elsewhere, money is particularly tight within state education at the moment. It's essential that governors work alongside the school leadership team to make sure we operate as efficiently as possible including working with other schools and that we use what funds we do have in the best interests of the children in the school's care.

I have two children, both of whom went though the school, and I work in network engineering for a mobile telecommunications company.

Staff Governor - Position Currently Vacant

Rachel Whitton - Local Authority appointed Governor 

I am Deputy Head Pastoral and DSL (Designated Safeguarding Lead) at St. Teresa's Effingham. I have lived in Walton on the Hill all my life and value the community which the village provides for its residents, the May Pageant being the highlight of my year! I am a PE teacher with 19  years' experience working in numerous prestigious state, independent day and boarding schools. Over the last eleven years I have specialised in pastoral care, becoming a DSL and well-being lead, and am passionate about the role of promoting the well-being and holistic development of students and staff enabling every member of a school's community to flourish. I hope that each Walton on the Hill pupil will build the confidence to embrace opportunity, develop a love of learning in and out of the classroom and above all feel supported and listened to as they embark on their journey to adulthood.

Nicola Fannin - Co-opted Governor

I joined the governing body in March 2019 as an Associate Member and was appointed a co-opted governor in September. I am a parent of three children with two still at the school and I work for a large financial services company in the local area. My job involves providing strategic and financial advice to senior management and governing bodies of financial institutions and incorporates financial analysis and people management, all of which are skills I believe will have relevance in my role as governor. My aim is to support the school and its staff to ensure that every child continues to have the opportunity to reach their full potential and feel happy and confident in their school environment. 

Wesley Deavall - Parent Governor 

I have a son and a daughter who are in the school. I have been volunteering at the school and decided to become a parent governor to help retain the school's excellent reputation for academic success and happy, healthy, friendly children. I was appointed in May 2023. My qualifications are in Human Movement Science/Studies, Biokinetics and Sports Science. With 15 years experience, I feel that my professional skills, combined with my passion for making a difference to the lives of children such as mine, who need particular care and attention, make me an excellent choice for the role of parent governor.

Anne Edwards - Associate Governor (non-voting expert)

Anne is Professor Emerita and former Head of the Oxford University Department of Education. She is a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences, and of the Learned Society of Wales and is a former President of the British Educational Research Association. She also has honorary doctorates from the Universities of Helsinki and Oslo. Anne lives in Walton on the Hill and is working with the English and RE Leaders in our school sharing her expertise on teaching and learning.

In addition to the governors shown above, Richard Laing, Head of School, was appointed for a second term of office as a co-opted governor in July 2019 for four years and Timothy Samuel, Headteacher, is an ex officio governor.

Register of Governor's Interests