Laura Burt

Chair of Governors

Co-opted Governor

Term of Office February 2023 to February 2027

I have lived in Stevenage all my life, and have two sons in the Woolenwick community. I have a particular interest in SEN provision to ensure that all children are afforded the opportunity to succeed and I truly see this in action in Woolenwick Junior School. I also love to see sports integrated into school life; teaching children teamwork, discipline, hard work and also the impact it can have to their mental wellbeing. In my spare time, with two active boys, we love all things rugby, getting outdoors, being on the beach in all weathers and camping!

My Governing Board Subject Link Responsibilities are: SEND PPG Computing  Equalities  GDPR

I also support the school by being an integral part of the Finance Committee  Full Governing Body 

Co-Vice Chair of Governors

Co-Opted Governor

Term of office from

29 Jun 2021 to 28 Jun 2025

First appointed on 30 Jun 2020

Hello, my name is Jo O’Reilly and I am one of the Governors at Woolenwick Junior School.
I am pleased to have the opportunity to support your school, and the inspirational young people who go there, become the best they can be.
My passion for supporting young people goes back to when I was a manager at John Lewis in Welwyn Garden City, where I got the opportunity to volunteer to run primary school workshops with the educational charity Young Enterprise at a local primary school. I loved this so much I later did a career change to work for Young Enterprise, running programmes to help young people develop key life and business skills.
A few years later and a different role, this time at Herts for Learning, supporting schools and school governors, led me to my position as Governor at Woolenwick. I find the role both interesting and rewarding.
I currently work for STEMPOINT, an educational charity working with businesses and schools to highlight careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths, quite different from my degree in Music and media studies, but so fascinating and great to be supporting young people develop and learn.
I was born and went to school in Stevenage and returned here a few years ago. It’s home to me and my daft rescue dog Stevie and my two grown up daughters, who come and go!
Please do come and say hello if you see me at the school. I would love to hear what your young people would like to be when they grow up!

My Governing Board Link Subject Responsibilities are: English

I also support the school by being an integral part of the Full Governing Body  Headteacher's Pay Committee  Working Party for Strategy 

Maxine Gorvett

Parent Governor & Co-Vice Chair Governor

Term of Office 23 March 2023 to 22 March 2027

I am a working mum of two daughters in school. I have a strong belief in equal opportunities and have volunteered time to several initiatives over the years to this end. I believe that everyone should have the opportunity to succeed in life and that good schools are key to making this happen. I am excited to be on the governing board to help in any way I can and to enable the teaching staff to focus on nurturing and growing the next generation. 

My Governing Board Subject Link Responsibilities are:  Health & Safety Geography  History Computing Science School Website

I also support the school by being an integral part of the Full Governing Body

Wayne Hanson-Prince

Former Chair of Governors

Co-opted governor Maths

Term of office from

23 Mar 2021 to 22 Mar 2025

First appointed on 11 Nov 2020

Until recently, I was a tutor at the Open University business school and have some experience as a private tutor and supply teacher. I also have experience dealing with mental health and safeguarding issues as a former panel member for a local youth offending team.

I enjoy travelling and spent a year in Japan as an English language tutor after university. I’m also interested in politics and current affairs, music (I play the piano, though I’m a bit rusty these days) and walking my Boston Terrier Bruno!

As the first person in my immediate family to go to university I’m passionate about ensuring that every child has the opportunities and support they need to grow and thrive, so I’m really looking forward to working with my fellow governors to help the school in any way I can.

My Governing Board Subject Link Responsibilities are: Maths

I also support the school by being an integral part of the Finance Committee  Full Governing Board  Headteacher's Pay Committee  Working Party for Strategy

Staff Governor

Term of office from

17 Apr 2023 to 17 Apr 2027

First appointed on 5 Sep 2018

I am a staff member of the governing board after serving for 4 years as a staff governor and an associate member. I was born and raised in London. I attended primary and secondary schools in Barnet, North London. I have been working in the school for 4 years. I have taught years 3,5 and 6 in our school. In the past, however, I have taught all year groups from Nursery upwards having been a teacher for 26 years.
Becoming a teacher is something I have always wanted to do and would ‘practice being a teacher’ in my bedroom as a child! As a result, I am an experienced communicator, who teaches with warmth, care for my pupils as individuals and enthusiasm. It is important to me that I maintain positive relationships with my pupils and their families and often have pupils come back to let me know how they are getting on.

My Governing Board Subject Link Responsibilities are: Governor Recruitment

I also support the school by being an integral part of the Full Governing Body

Nicola Griffiths

Parent Governor

Term of Office 23 March 2023 to 22 March 2027

Having lived in Stevenage my whole life, and as mum to two girls, I am pleased to now be on the Board of Governors to play an active role in supporting the school. I have spent the past 20 years working in HR in various financial services organisations, where I have seen the direct impact of education experience on future career opportunities. I am passionate about working to ensure that all children have a good early years experience to maximise their own potential. 

My Governing Board Subject Link Responsibilities are: Art & D&T  Modern Languages  Mental Health & Wellbeing Sports Premium Music

I also support the school by being an integral part of the Full Governing Body and the Finance Committee

Amy Bowden

Co-opted governor

Term of Office 3 September 2024 to 2 September 2028

I am a primary teacher with experience working with EYFS, KS1 and KS2 and subsequent curriculum planning and monitoring. I am also a mum to a child at the school so bring experience from my workplace but also the school community to my role as Governor. I am link governor for safeguarding and am passionate about giving children the opportunity to thrive in the school setting by affording them experiences they might not have accessed elsewhere. 

My Governing Board Link Subject Responsibilities are: Safeguarding

I support the school by being an integral part of the Full Governing Body

Associate Member

Finance

Term of office from

30 Jun 2020 to 29 Jun 2024

First appointed on 30 Jun 2020

I am an associate governor on the finance committee. I was born in Manchester and subsequently support Manchester United Football club. I have lived in Stevenage since 2001. Through the years I have been lucky enough to have travelled and lived in various parts of the world. I have in this time learnt a few different languages and experienced many different cultures.
I feel I have a lot to contribute to the Governing Body. I studied Computer Science programming at North London University, while working in Hotel Management. I worked in several 5 star hotels in Central London before working in Schools. I have worked as a SEN teaching assistant then a Pupil Premium teacher. I am very good with numbers and I am proud to now be Woolenwick Schools Finance Manager.
I am a friendly and jolly person, please do not hesitate to stop me for a chat if you need to. I will always aim to help to the best of my ability.

I support the school by being an integral part of the Finance Committee.

Associate Member

Finance Committee Chair

Term of office from

28 Jun 2021 to 27 Jun 2025

First appointed on 28 Jun 2021

My niece currently attends Woolenwick Juniors and I intend to support the development of the school by providing my financial knowledge.

My Governing Board Link Subject Responsibilities are: Finance

I also support the school by being an integral part of the Finance Committee  Full Governing Body 

Kayleigh Kingsland

Clerk to Governors

I work for HFL Education and is an independent professional clerk providing administrative and organisational support to the Governing Board. I also provides guidance to ensure that the Board works in compliance with the appropriate legal and regulatory framework and advises on procedural matters relating to the operation of the Board. 

I support the school by being an integral part of the Full Governing Body