The composition of the Governing Body of Wheatfields Infants' and Nursery School is as follows:

Co-opted Governors

Fleur Baikie 

Emma Carvalho-Baird

Jo Swindells 

Sandra Thompson 

Karen Watson 

Andy Woodhead

Parent Governors
Alejandro Guarin 

Ruth Maisey (Chair)
Dorothy Murray ( Vice Chair)

Natasha O'Sullivan 

Staff Governor
Liz Pratt

Headteacher
Clare Cockburn 

The governance structure of the Alban Academies Trust which we are part of can be found at: https://albanacademiestrust.org.uk/scheme-of-delegation/ 

Governor bios

Name: Fleur Baikie

Category : Co-opted
Appointing Body: Governors
Term of Office: 21/09/21 – 20/09/25
Areas of Responsibility: SEN and Pupil Premium

Relevant associated interests: None
Personal relationships with school: Head of Languages of Sandringham School – AAT member school

I am the Director of Learning for Modern Languages at Sandringham School. I have recently spent 4 years teaching in an international through school (age 3-18) in the UAE and am passionate about learning and teaching at all levels. I am originally from Harpenden and have moved back to the area. I am from a bilingual home and am interested in developing student culture and experience in schools against an ever-changing global backdrop, to ensure our students are as prepared as possible for whatever life puts in their path.

Name: Kate Corrigan

Category : Co-opted
Appointing Body: Governors
Term of Office: 06/02/23 – 05/02/27

Personal relationships with school: Parent of child in Year 1.

I have recently left the corporate world, where I was a Senior Director at a Global Consultancy, to focus on raising our 4 children – 2 daughters in Year 3 and Year 1, our son starting at Wheatfields nursery in September and our 7 month old daughter.  I’m a Chartered Quantity Surveyor, with a background in commercial management, HR, learning & development, operational management and a passion for diversity and inclusion.  I believe all children should be provided with the support, environment and opportunities to enable them to flourish and realise their full potential. I hope I can support this through my role as a School Governor.

Name: Clare Cockburn
Category: Headteacher
Appointing Body: Governors
Term of Office: 01/09/2017
Areas of Responsibility: Curriculum
Relevant associated interests: None
Personal relationships with school: Headteacher

Name: Alejandro Guarin
Category : Parent
Appointing Body: Parent Election
Term of Office: 21/02/22 – 20/02/26
Areas of Responsibility: KS1
Relevant associated interests: None
Personal relationships with school: Parent of child in Reception

I grew up in Colombia and have lived with my family in St Albans for nearly six years after stints in the USA, the Netherlands, and Germany. I work as a researcher on environmental and overseas development issues. I am married to a New Zealander and am the proud father of two boys: one currently in Year 3 at Wheatfields, and one who started Reception this autumn. 

Name: Ruth Maisey 

Category : Parent
Appointing Body: Parent Election
Term of Office: 13/12/2020-12/12/2024
Areas of Responsibility: Chair of Governing Board & EYFS
Relevant associated interests:Employee at Nuffield Foundation
Personal relationships with school: Parent of child in Year 1

I have an 9 year-old daughter in Year 5 (Wheatfields Junior School) and a 5 year-old son in Year 1 - he will be at the school throughout my Governor term of office. I have spent my career helping to inform teaching practice and education policy through research into improving children’s attainment, well-being and opportunities, including running multi-million evaluation programmes. I lead thePrimary research portfolio at the Nuffield Foundation.  I am approachable and delighted to bring my experience to the Governing Body and represent the carers/parents.

Name: Dorothy Murray
Category : Parent
Appointing Body: Parent Election
Term of Office: 13/12/2020-12/12/2024
Areas of Responsibility: Vice Chair of the Governing Body
Relevant associated interests: None
Personal relationships with school: None

With a daughter in Year 3, I bring a parent perspective to the role as well as my professional skills as a litigation solicitor advising individuals and companies for over 15 years; problem solving, project management, effective teamwork and critical thinking. A firm believer in the power of education to form young lives for the better.  I am keen to support the school in continuing to meet its high standards and the needs of all the children.

Name: Natasha O'Sullivan
Category : Parent
Appointing Body: Parent Election
Term of Office: 13/12/2020-12/12/2024
Areas of Responsibility: Human Resources
Relevant associated interests: None
Personal relationships with school: Parent of child in Year 2

I have a background in HR and Learning and Development, I currently work part time as a project manager for a Training and Development company, specialising in leadership development. I am passionate about the importance of children’s early education and how it supports and encourages their wellbeing. This, alongside my professional experience is where I add value as a Parent Governor at Wheatfields.

Name: Jo Swindells
Category : Co-opted
Appointing Body: Governors
Term of Office: 05/01/2021-04/01/2025
Areas of Responsibility: Safeguarding and Children Looked After
Relevant associated interests: None
Personal relationships with school: None

I have been involved in education for over 25 years, starting out as an English teacher and progressing into senior management in Further Education. I am currently Vice Principal at a FE college in London. I also worked for several years as an Improvement Adviser and Trainer for a large education consultancy agency. For several years, I was a member, and subsequently the chair, of the management committee of a large community centre in London. I have held the position of Staff Governor on the board of Governors of a Further Education college. I have two daughters who are in Year 8 and Year 6 in local St Albans schools.

Name: Sandra Thompson

Category : Co-opted
Appointing Body: Governors
Term of Office: 31/01/2022-30/01/2026

Areas of Responsibility: Finance

Relevant associated interests: None
Personal relationships with school: None

I bring finance, governance and leadership skills and experience to the governing body.  I am a Chartered Accountant, now working part time for a regulatory body and have been a partner in a major accounting firm. I have led diverse groups, promoting teamwork and a positive solution-focussed approach, as well contributing to setting strategy and monitoring its implementation. I am passionate about the value of giving all children a broad and stimulating education. something which both of my children enjoyed when they attended Wheatfields Infants School.

Name: Karen Watson
Category : Co-opted
Appointing Body: Governors
Term of Office: 05/01/2021-04/01/2025
Areas of Responsibility: Premises
Relevant associated interests: None
Personal relationships with school: None

I am responsible for the governance of cyber security for an online entertainment company. Previous roles include computer forensic investigations, incident management, and data security. I spent the first seven years of my working life, in high street retail banking, then the next seven years travelling the world, before going to University. I spent many years as Tawny Owl in a local Brownie pack in Yorkshire and since moving to St Albans 16 years ago I have assisted several local charities. In this short statement I am trying to highlight my work experience but also that I am very interested in supporting the local community.

Name: Andy Woodhead
Category : Co-opted
Appointing Body: Governors
Term of Office: 06/02/23-05/02/27

Personal relationships with school:Child in Reception

Having attended Wheatfields Junior school myself numerous years ago, and now with my eldest coming to the end of his first year in reception, I am keen to get stuck in and support Wheatfields Infant school where possible over the coming years. I have a background in Finance, currently work as a Finance Business Partner within the Financial Services Industry.

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We meet regularly throughout the school year, both as a full Governing Body and also in our two committees (Quality of Education and Resources) to look in detail at different aspects of the school’s work and environment.

These aspects include:

• Promoting high standards of education and achievement

• Setting direction, policies and objectives for the school’s long term future

• Work with the Senior Leadership Team to set the school’s vision and aims

• Approving the allocation and control of the school budget

• Reviewing progress against the school’s budget and objectives

• Appointing staff

• Challenging and supporting the Headteacher

We visit the school on a regular basis to go into different classrooms and observe learning activities. We are guided on our visits by aspects of the School Improvement plan (SIP) which the Headteacher would like us to monitor. 

Governor Attendance

l absences were approved unless denoted by an asterisk*