Sharon Newman

Chair

I am currently Chair of Governors at Wickham Common Primary School.  I became a Community Governor in July 2013 following retirement from Deputy Headship at a large Comprehensive School in Bromley where I had worked for 26 years.  I currently work part time for an Educational Trust supporting a number of sixth forms in the South East of London.  My association with Wickham Common dates back 30 years when my children enjoyed a very happy education there.  I still live in the local area and am busily engaged in supporting a number of other voluntary activities in the local community, including St John’s Church, 3WW Scout group and the Residents’ Association.  In my “free” time I help to look after my two delightful grandchildren.

Jane Walker-Smith

Vice-Chair

My name is Jane Walker-Smith and I am the Vice Chair of Governors, I also serve on the ‘Teaching & Learning Committee’.  I have a BA English and Theatre Arts from Goldsmiths and a Masters in Employment Law. I have 19 years’ experience working in Human Resources, mainly in professional services within the legal and accountancy sphere but also advising schools and colleges on their HR issues. I am currently a HR Director for a large national accountancy practice that I have been with for 10 years. I have been a Governor since 2015 and have 2 children at Wickham Common School.

Mrs D Allis

Headteacher

I am the Head Teacher of Wickham Common Primary School and I started here in September 2017. Previously, I was the Head at Pratts Bottom Primary School and the Deputy Head Teacher at The Highway Primary School in Orpington before that. I trained and worked in Leicester in 3 schools over 9 years before returning to my roots here in Bromley 8 years ago. It is my belief that schools are at the very heart of our society and education is the key to the future we want for ourselves, our children and our communities. I’m proud to be the Head teacher of this fantastic school and I am looking forward to our future together.

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Mrs P Critten

Staff Governor

I decided to become a Governor because I feel that having been a teacher for many years it was time to become more deeply involved in all aspects of school life.  By doing this I am gaining a deeper understanding of the running of the school from every aspect.  The skills I feel I bring are a broad and in depth understanding of the National Curriculum.   I am part of the senior leadership team within the school as well as head of music. I currently teach one of our reception classes. 

Gareth Walters

Local Governor

I spent the majority of my working life in Banking within the NatWest/RBS Group.   My career covered a number of disciplines including internal management consultancy, strategy and planning, various operational roles and, most recently, 10 years in the Bank’s Treasury function focussing on the management of the Bank’s balance sheet.  These activities have provided me with a very good understanding of how organisations operate, as well as extensive experience of operating in a team based environment in the areas of finance, budgeting and associated controls.  Having now retired from Banking I am hoping to use my knowledge and experience to help in the continued success of the school.

Sarah Fletcher

Local Governor

"My name is Sarah Fletcher and I was appointed to the Governing Body in the Spring of 2018. I have been resident in West Wickham for over 25 years, my own children having attended local primary and secondary schools. I have recently retired from the role of pastoral Head of Year and Safeguarding Officer in a large secondary school in Bromley where I worked for 13 years; prior to that I followed a career in finance in London and Germany. Throughout this time I have continued to be active in guiding young people through the Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme in the local community and I am also a Safeguarding Officer for St John's Church, West Wickham.

Katharine Cowley

Local Governor

Since graduating from Manchester University in 1984 with a BSc in Geology, I have worked in the oil industry. I am a director of a company specialising in developing geophysical software for oil exploration. My responsibilities include general and financial management, software training and technical writing. I recently completed an MSc in Earth Science with the Open University.  I have been a governor at the Wickham Common Primary School - where my children attended - for 15 years, where my responsibilities have included being the Chair of Governors, chairing the Teaching & Learning Committee and being the governor with SEN responsibilities.

Darren Jenkins

Local Governor

My name is Darren Jenkins and I became a governor at Wickham Common Primary School shortly after my daughter started at the school in 2004 – she’s now at University! I serve on the Teaching & Learning committee, which I now Chair, and I’m also the Link Governor for the school so I have the opportunity to discuss governance issues with other schools. I also have two sons, one of which attended Wickham Common and left just over a year ago, and he has an older brother who goes to Glebe school – he has autism, so I am fully engaged with SEN within the borough and serve as a Governor at Riverside School. My background is in business development and I qualified many years ago as a Chartered Accountant; I believe that my experience is useful in my role as a school governor.

Heather Walton

Local & Safeguarding Governor

My name is Heather Walton and I have been a governor at Wickham Common Primary School since 2015. I serve on the PPC (Parents, Pupils & Community) committee and I am the Governor for Safeguarding. My two sons attended Wickham Common and my eldest loved it so much he returned as a teacher for about 8 years, so I feel I have been connected to the school for a very long time. I have two primary school aged grandchildren but they do not live in the area so do not go to the school. My professional background is in banking and I believe that my work-life experience is useful in my role as a school governor.

Tony Warran

Local Governor

I have lived in Kingsway just 5 minutes’ walk from the school since 1972. My three children attended the school before all moving on to Hayes Secondary. I am a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and spent around 35 years working in the City of London in Insurance / Reinsurance. I joined the PTA in the mid 70’s and for many years was MoC for the Xmas Fair and the Summer Fete. I spent almost all this time as the PTA Treasurer. I joined the Governing body in January 1991 serving on and then becoming Chair of the Resources Committee. I also became Vice Chair of the full governing body. I am now Vice Chair of the Resources committee. I have been involved in almost all school appointments for the last ten years as well as chairing about 6 pupil/staff disciplinary panels. I attended and have a certificate for Safeguarding in Recruitment. For a time I was also the auditor for the School Voluntary Fund and still am the Auditor of the PTA . For many years I have been the ‘Official' photographer for the school and lots of my Photos can be seen around the school incl. on the current Web site.

James Carroll

Local  Governor

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Johnny Cleary

Local Governor

My wife and I moved to West Wickham in 2013 from outside of the area, attracted by the green open spaces and great schools. We have 2 daughters, 1 who started at Wickham Common in 2018 and our youngest due to start in 2020. My professional background is in Financial Services, primarily in Operational Risk. This involves helping organisations identify any weaknesses in their processes and systems and establishing robust controls to mitigate these risks. Outside of work and being a Governor I look after the West Wickham Residents Association website and enjoy running and cycling.