Meet the Governors

Term of Office 01.09.2018 - 31.08.2022

Committees: People & Resources

I joined the Governing Board to increase my understanding of the education system and to support my children. However, I quickly realised the impact of such a role on the long-term outcome of the school. Being part of the community is really important to me and being part of the Governing Board is my way of being able to give something back.

Along with being the Vice Chair, I am the Development Governor, and my role includes ensuring our Board is provided with all the relevant training to perform their individual and group responsibilities.

My work as a Property Survey provides me with a varied and transferable skillset, including project management, financial budgeting, and property law. However, the skills and knowledge I have gained from being a Governor have now transferred back into work and I have been appointed as a Trustee of Domino’s Charity Foundation.

My perfect weekend day would include a walk with the children and a long lunch with all our extended family.

Committees: Curriculum

Having moved back to England from South Africa, where I sat on several school committees and boards, I feel I offer a new and fresh approach to Overstone's Governing Board. I love getting involved and stuck in, and feel a school should be like a family, all working together to help our children grow.

As a mum of three, I am always on the go, while helping my husband with his two businesses, one in finance and one in home services. I also work as an Appropriate Adult ensuring children and vulnerable adults have their rights met. I am currently studying Criminal and Child Psychology to help me both in my career and in supporting the school.

In my spare time, I love long walks and fun days out with my family, and experimenting in the kitchen.

Committees: Curriculum

My name is Andrea Clarke and I joined Overstone in September 2021 as a class teacher.

During my career, I have taught across a number of schools - all quite different in their size, ethnic diversity and location - and I have trained trainee teachers. With a huge passion and drive for the work I do, and having worked with governors in the past, I have built up an appreciation for the commitment and expertise they bring to a school. Combining this with my strong sense of community values, I am thrilled to join Overstone's Governing Board. I have always enjoyed working with people from all walks of life, as demonstrated by my reputation among children, parents and the wider community from my previous school. I hope that this enables me to be an asset to the school.

When not teaching, I love to take my dogs on long walks and enjoy gardening and sewing. I am also known to do a bit of DIY!

Committees: Curriculum and People & Resources

My name is Kirsty Eales and I am the Headteacher at Overstone Combined School. I joined the school in September 2020 following headship at 4 other schools within Buckinghamshire.

I have been a teacher for over 20 years and worked across the county in both town and village schools. I am passionate about providing our children with high quality education in an effective learning environment and this is something we do well at Overstone.

As the Headteacher of the school I attend all governor meetings and governor training. We work together to provide the best opportunities for each and every child and through careful monitoring we ensure that each child has the chance to shine.

In my spare time I enjoy baking with my family and meeting up with friends.

Term of Office 13.03.2019 - 12.03.2023

Committees: Curriculum and People & Resources

Having been a Governor for nearly 9 years at a previous school, I have always found it be a rewarding and enjoyable way of being part of our children’s lives and an active role in the future development of the school. When we moved Jake to Overstone, I was keen to continue to give back and support in the same way and am enjoying my time so far.

I am a Management Accountant, now employed in the software consultancy world where I use my finance skills, analytical mind and willingness to challenge to support and develop my team and organisation. I hope to bring that, and my previous experience in many aspects of Governorship at a Primary School, to Overstone

I enjoy being part of all that the children do with sports and other activities, watching sports, going to watch Luton Town, travelling and just spending quality time as a family.

Term of Office 03.01.2016 - 10.12.2023

Committees: Curriculum and People & Resources

I am a senior manager in a national Environmental Services business and studied Forestry and Woodland Management. We moved to Wing in 2010 and my daughters Rosalie and Alice are at Overstone. My family has connections with the village that go back almost 200 years.

My work includes business development and delivery of projects in high compliance areas such as rail and highways and I have many years of experience of leadership of teams across the UK. My roles have also given me experience of budgeting, audit, health and safety and business turnaround.

As a Governor I want to help Overstone be the best it can be, develop an understanding of the world of education, support my children as well as the other children at Overstone and the wider Wing community.

When I am not working I enjoy taking an active role in Rosalie and Alice’s lives, supporting my wife Tracy who also has a demanding career, walking our dog Tilly, watching cricket (my regular playing days are behind me now), keeping fit and active, cooking and motorsport.

Term of Office 23.07.2019 - 22.07.2023

Committees:

I have worked in Primary education for 16 years and sat in on many governor meetings as a member of staff. We moved to Wing five years ago and, as my eldest started school, I had an extra interest in supporting Overstone. My youngest now attends the nursery provision at Overstone. Working full-time means that I am rarely seen on the school runs, but being part of the Governing Board means that my ‘mum guilt’ is somewhat eased as I get the privilege of working with the school.

I have spent the last 12 years working as a senior leader in primary schools, supporting school development. I've had the opportunity to work in settings that greatly vary from one another, which has developed my knowledge and experience. Even as someone in education, however, I learn a lot from being part of this team and I would recommend anyone to take the opportunity to develop their skills by joining us.

We spend a lot of time outdoors as a family and are the proud parents/siblings of 4 chickens! Further afield, we love camping, festivals and anything that involves ‘street food’. When the mood takes me, I enjoy running and exercising.

Term of Office 30.01.2017 - 29.01.2025

Committees: Curriculum

I have been a governor at Overstone since January 2017 and my daughters both attend the school. My specific role is to support the provision for children in receipt of pupil premium funding and for those with special educational needs.

By profession I am an organisational development consultant. I work with directors and their leadership teams to create plans to realise their business strategy and ambition. My skills include organisation design, culture and leadership development, and coaching.

My family enjoy adventures in our old camper van, canoeing, cycling and walking our dog.

Term of Office 16.07.2019 -15.07.2023

Committees: People & Resources

One of my main reasons for becoming a Governor was, having moved to the village a couple of years ago, I wanted to contribute to the community. I see the school as a key part of the community and thought that my skills and experience would be put to good use as a Governor.

I think it is important for schools to have input from people with a variety of skills and experience including from those of us that are not directly involved in the education system. As a Governor I contribute skills and experience I have gained as a HR professional in a commercial business environment such as coaching, workforce planning and change management. I also participate in Governor training which is helping me to develop skills and knowledge to further contribute to the School.

With 2 children under 3 and a full time job my ‘spare time’ is usually spent with my family. However, to unwind I enjoy baking and trying new recipes but you won’t be seeing me on Bake Off any time soon.

Term of Office 01.11.2016 - 30.10.24
(Member of the Governing Board prior to current term)

Committees: People & Resources

A resident of Crafton and then Wing for 36 years, all my children went to Overstone School, with the last one leaving in 2001. I have been a Governor, or Associate Governor of the school for 29 years, fifteen of which I was the chairman of Governors until 2014.

I regard Overstone as a very important part of the Wing community and simply wish to make as much effort as I can to help it be successful.

I have run my own award-winning IT and software development business in Milton Keynes for 40 years in which I employ approximately 60 people. I have run a charity, organised music festivals, and many other events.

I love looking after our grandchildren for at least a day every week. I am member of Wing Singers as well as the Wingrave Community Choir, play various musical instruments, love all sports but can physically only play golf now, spend time gardening and growing our own vegetables and fruit, and help my wife train medical detection dogs. I have spent months at a time travelling in remote parts of the world, including Uganda where my wife and I help to fund a school for deaf children.

Term of Office 24.06.21 - 23.06.2025

Committees: People & Resources

I have three children at Overstone, all enjoying the great setting they are in. I wanted to join the Governing Board not only because I wanted to increase my own understanding of their education, but also to help the welfare and academic progress of all the pupils at the school. I am passionate about helping Overstone to further its vision for the future, while knitting it together with the local community.

I am a freelance science communicator working on writing, design and branding projects for a range of environmental organisations, charities and government agencies. With nearly 20 years’ experience in a marketing environment, and an extensive scientific background, I hope that my skills will be valuable to the school. Being a Governor has also given me new skills – it is incredibly rewarding, and I am learning a lot!

In my spare time, I love going to the zoo with my children, baking, walking and doing a bit of keep fit. A good movie night never goes amiss either!

Term of Office 23.03.2019 - 22.03.2023
*Governor at Cottesloe School

Committees: Curriculum