Alton School

Our Governance

OUR LOCAL GOVERNING BODY

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Claire Gilbert  

Chair of The Alton Local Governng Body

Cllr Wandsworth Council
 

Term of office: 10 Mar 2109 - 9 Mar 2024

I am very pleased to have been appointed as a Governor at the Alton School. I have worked in Roehampton since 2018, and have lived in Wandsworth for over 10 years. I am also an elected Councillor for the Roehampton & Putney Heath ward of Wandsworth, sitting on Wandsworth Council. 

I became a Governor because I am very interested in young people and in the families living in Roehampton. I have 3 primary school aged children myself. I very much enjoy the fun and discovery which comes with teaching and learning, and I have been very lucky in my own education and where it has taken me in the world.  

I went to state schools in a small town in Northern Ireland, where the education system is rather different to the one in England. When I left school I worked for a year to earn some money, and then I was very fortunate to go to University in Cambridge to study law. As part of my law degree, I also spent a year in a University in France studying French law. After graduating, I went to work in California for a year as an intern in a law firm. I then studied for a Masters in Labour law at the London School of Economics and Political Science. Finally, I had to take the Bar Vocational Course to become a qualified barrister. I have been a practising lawyer since then, working various courts and offices, including for the government and for the NHS. I now work for legal advice centres helping individuals in very difficult times in their lives, some of whom qualify for Legal Aid, and some of whom are helped "pro bono".

As a Governor at the Alton School, I am kept informed of issues and standards at the school by the Chair of Governors and the Headteacher. I very much enjoy visiting the school, particularly when I am able to interact with the wonderful children about what they are doing. 

If you would like to discuss anything with me, I can be contacted via the school's office.   

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Liz Stoyel 

Co-opted Governor
Vice Chair of Local Governors
Trustee of Q1E Academy Trust 

Also Trustee of the Quality First Education Trust since August 2017

Term of office: 30 June 2015 - 30 June 2023

Link role: Children with Special Educational Needs and DisabilitiesAttainment and Progress, RAISEonline and the Data Dashboard.

I am currently the Vice Chair of the Board of Governors. I joined the Alton School Board of Governors in 2008.  I have lived in Roehampton for 23 years and, before that, in Battersea for 9 years.  I became a governor because I wanted to give something back to the community in which I lived.

When I left school, I went to the University of Southampton and studied for a degree in Geology.  Afterwards, I worked for a number of IT companies as a technical writer, a software developer, a business analyst and in sales support.  Recently, I took a degree course at Kingston University in Health, Exercise & Nutrition and was involved in a number of after school clubs teaching children and their parents about a healthy lifestyle.

As Vice Chair of Governors, I speak to the Headteacher almost every week during term time.  I try to visit the school regularly and, during my visits, I love speaking to the children about what they are learning at school.

If you would like to discuss anything with me I can be contacted care of the Alton School.

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Jenny Yates 

 

Co-opted Governor

I am honoured and delighted to have been appointed as a Governor at the Alton School.  I have lived in Wandsworth for over 10 years and my children went to local schools.  I became a governor because I am passionately committed to supporting state education. Since joining the governors, I have really enjoyed learning about the school, meeting the children and teachers and helping at school events such as the Christmas fair. 

I grew up on Merseyside and went to state schools there.  Hardly anyone I went to school with went to university, as there was little encouragement, so most students felt it wasn’t for them.  I was lucky to go to Cambridge University, which was a wonderful opportunity, but I found it very difficult and challenging as I wasn’t used to that type of competitive environment.  I believe all young people should have a great education and be encouraged and supported to fulfil their aspirations.

After university I worked in international development, working in Sub-Saharan African and in Indonesia. Now I’m the Chair of a homelessness charity called Groundswell that helps people in London experiencing homelessness access healthcare, and I volunteer locally

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Geoff Morris      

Co-opted Governor

Safeguarding Governor
Also a Trustee of the Quality First Education Trust since November 2017

Term of office 30 June 2015 - 30 June 2024

I grew up in Evesham in the Midlands where my father became the chair of governors of my primary school the year I left, a post he still holds 31 years later. It is mainly the fulfilment that he has gained from his role which inspired me to join a governing board myself. 
I have worked within the education sector for over eight years and have a good understanding of the realities of running a school in the 21st century.
I currently work as an estate agent in the borough and feel I am part of the community in Wandsworth now. My wife and I have lived in Wandsworth for the last 10 years and now see it as home. In my free time I enjoy rugby, cycling and going to the cinema.

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Lewis Halsey

Co-opted Governor 

In 2007 I started my career as an academic, at the University of Roehampton.

Moving close to my place of work, the Alton estate has been home since 2014. As a professor in the Department of Life Sciences, each day I support students during the final years of their state education, helping them develop their skills for entering the world of work.

It is an honour to also be supporting our community’s children who are just beginning their education at The Alton. I am well positioned to bring insights and innovation from the university sector to the school sector, and vice-versa, helping to continue the development of Roehampton’s fine institutions of learning for all age groups.

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Adam Watson 

Governor
Co-opted Governor
Chair of Resources Committee

Term of office: 30th June 2015 - 30th June 2024

Working in the banking industry for 15 years and being a qualified accountant mean that I am comfortable with the business and finance side of things and having 4 children at primary school means that I understand a lot of the issues and challenges that the school, staff and children face.

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Symone Planner 

Parent Governor

I'm Symone, one of the parent governors at The Alton primary school. Most people recognise me by my colourful eyebrows. I have a son, Nyall, in year 2. I love photography, crafting and learning new things. I enjoy being surrounded by children. I have worked with children over many years, as a childminder, a teaching assistant and an SEN one-to-one. 

 

Kerrie Galer

Parent Governor