Governing Body Overview & Structure

Sarah Merewood - Chair of Governors

I am Sarah Merewood and I have been Chair of Governors at Wickham since July 2017. I have been a Governor for the past 4 years as well as a parent to two children at the school. I am a resident in Knowle so have an awareness of the local area and all stakeholders in the community.

I wanted to be a governor to make a difference to the life chances of the children that attend the school, using my professional experiences and skill set to support the development of the school. It has been a privilege thus far to work with the school staff, children and parents to enhance the learning opportunities for the children, creating a happy environment for everyone.

Graham Cutter - Head Teacher

I qualified as a teacher in 2001 and joined Wickham Primary School in January 2020, following five years in post as the headteacher at another local school, where I also served on the governing body. I am extremely passionate about teaching and learning and have the highest of expectations of both pupils and staff. I believe that a strong relationship with all stakeholders is central to a school’s success and I enjoy working in close partnership with all involved in the education of our children.

Loren Way - Deputy Teacher

I joined the school in 2015 as Deputy Headteacher. I have a passion for teaching and learning, currently teaching Upper Key stage 2. Alongside the Headteacher, I have responsibility for supporting school improvement. A specific focus of mine is ensuring our curriculum is challenging, exciting and that it provides the children we teach with the skills they need to be successful when they leave Wickham Church of England Primary School. During my time at Wickham, I have also lead English and Math, developing the English and Math curriculums so they are of high quality. I also lead many aspects of pastoral care such as school council, church events and transition to ensure our children go on to be successful members of the community they live in.

Thomas Rae - Vice-Chair

I joined the governing body as a parent governor in 2016. I have worked as an scientific researcher at a number of universities in the UK and abroad. Since returning to the UK, I work as a secondary and sixth form science teacher with a specific school role in research and evaluation. I volunteered to become a governor as I am passionate about the importance of education for children, having experienced the many opportunities that it creates. I also relish the opportunity to positively contribute to the school’s future success and development, drawing upon the experience I have gained from my careers in education. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family and playing sports; specifically, tennis, volleyball and climbing.

Victoria Betts - Chair of Achievements Committee

I work for Hampshire County Council Virtual School and College as an Education Adviser with a specialism in Early Years education. Through my role, I ensure that all Hampshire County Council’s children in care who are of Early Years age, get the best start educationally. I love the variety that my role gives me and after a career in teaching spanning Year R, KS1 and KS2, I feel that I have great experiences to share which help others to develop their own practice.

I wanted to become a governor at Wickham Church of England Primary school as I wanted to make sure that I continue to have a good knowledge of all Key stages in the primary phase. Secondly, as someone who lives in the village and who attended the school in the 70s, I feel that I have a real connection with the school and want to give something back to my community.

Since I became a governor in 2015, I have thoroughly enjoyed the challenges that the role has offered and am constantly impressed by the amazing children in our school and the commitment that the fantastic staff team show to raising outcomes for all.

Richard Melly - Chair of Resource Committee

After a full career in the Royal Navy, followed by a decade working in the City of London, I retired in 2016. Since then, I have taken on a number of commitments both as a Trustee and, in the case of the School, as a Governor. With relevant experience in project management, finance and human resources, I have the time to devote to the School's affairs and very much enjoy my involvement. I am married to an ex-teacher and have two grown up daughters, one of whom is a primary school teacher.

Sue Roger-Jones

I am a Foundation Governor appointed by the Diocese of Portsmouth.

My family and I have lived in Wickham since 1975 and we are very much involved in the local community.

Having taught in the Primary sector for over 25 years and then running my own business I felt I had the skills to volunteer to become a governor.

I maybe the senior member but I am still passionate about our school and the way children learn. As Governors we have to be strategic, take our responsibilities seriously and face up to challenges especially with shrinking budgets.

It has always been my ambition to provide the very best of education for all our children to achieve their full potential in a safe, happy and caring environment.

Sabrina Gwynn

Having graduated from Bristol University with a Maths degree I served as a Police Officer in Warwickshire for five years until I married and moved to Hampshire.  I was then a Business Analyst at IBM for a few years before my two children came along.  When they had both started school I joined the family firm A.E.Roberts Ltd, grower of fruit trees and soft fruit bushes then based in Wickham, and took over responsibility for Finance and Human Resources. 

I sing in the choir at St Nicholas Church, Wickham, and I am also a member of the Parochial Church Council.  When a vacancy arose in 2011, I agreed to become a Foundation Governor as I was keen to do more for the community and to promote the relationship between church and school.  Most of the time my children were at school things seemed to happen seamlessly and I did not appreciate how much went on behind the scenes involving staff and governors.  I am full of admiration for teachers and support staff and as a governor I want to do all that I can to enable the children to get the best possible education and to demonstrate the school’s Christian Values.

Janet Sinclair

I was in the teaching profession as a primary school teacher until I

retired  several years ago. 

Soon after, I was approached by the chair of governors of Wickham Primary who asked me to join the governing body. 

I was delighted as I was already missing being involved with schools, especially the children. 

I am enjoying  the role of governor immensely.

Astra Hughes

I joined the Governing body as a Parent Governor in March 2018. Having lived in Wickham all my life I am passionate about the local community and hope that being involved in this way helps me to ensure the best outcomes for all children in the school and help develop our thriving Hampshire village. 

I work at a local Council in Democratic Service and also help to run a family business as well as being an active member of the Community. 

Richard Wyld

I am a foundation governor appointed by the Church, and work just down the road in Fareham supporting the Bishop of Portsmouth. I’ve been living in the area for a couple of years, and although I still feel new it’s great to be part of a community so committed to helping each other learn and grow in love, courage, and respect. As the vicar on the governing body, I hope to support the school in drawing on our Christian tradition and offering the best we are for the whole community.

Rachael Wilkie

My name is Rachael Wilkie, I qualified as a teacher at Chichester University and have been teaching for over 14 years.  I have worked at Wickham C of E Primary School for over 2 years as the EYFS and KS1 Phase Leader and I also manage English in the school.  I was elected to represent the staff as a member of the governing body in 2017, but have had experience off being a governor previously at two different schools. I also sit on the achievements sub-committee. I am passionate about education and believe every child from any background has the right to an outstanding education which will provide them with the skills, knowledge and strategies to thrive in their present and future lives. 

Dean Searley

I am a recent addition to the Wickham Governing Body, joining as a parent Governor in April 2019.

As an Assistant Headteacher at a large Secondary School in Gosport I have knowledge of Education Post 11 years old wanted to bring some of that experience to the Governing Body.

I have two children who are pupils at the school and I am passionate about the education they receive and want to try to support the School to be an Outstanding place of learning which ensures every child can be the very best they can be both academically and holistically.

If you see me in the School playground please do say hello!