De Jarvis – Chair of Governors and Co-opted Governor
I became a co-opted governor at Reedham School at the start of 2016. I have special responsibility for Early Years, Safeguarding, Special Educational Needs (SEN) and Equality.
Until my retirement in 2015 I was a primary school teacher, firstly in London, then Norfolk and for a period of four years in Singapore. During that time I taught across the age range, but specialised in Early Years. For a period of time I was Assistant Head with responsibility for Nursery, Reception and Key Stage 1 and then became Deputy Head, supporting the Headteacher in the strategic development and the day to day running of the school. With this experience I feel that I can offer support by monitoring, questioning and challenging the staff to ensure the best possible standards of education for all children attending the school.
In my spare time I enjoy travelling, theatre and cinema, gardening and getting together with friends and family.
Hayley Smith – Co-opted Governor and Vice-Chair
I am a School Governor who has special responsibility for Literacy. I am experienced in many aspects of Education having been the head teacher of a village school and nursery for 23 years. I also sit on the governing body of another local primary school. I have 3 grandchildren of primary school age.
Beth Spaul BA Hons, PGCE, TEFL cert. EYTS, QTS, NPQH – Interim Headteacher
After completing my degree, I left the UK in 2004 and set up and ran a very successful international school in Goa, India, for English speaking foreign and local children. Upon returning to the UK, I worked in the Early Years sector completing my EYTS then my PGCE in primary. I engaged in research to complete my MA in education at UoS. I am a lifelong learning and love learning from everone around. Teaching is a passion and I love sharing this with children and colleagues. I want to make a difference for the children in our care!
Reedham has become a great family to be a part of and I believe we are doing great things for our children. We have a fantastic vision for our future and we are doing amazing things to make our children’s education a safe, happy, engaging and holistic experience.
Mary Jones – Co-opted Governor
I am a retired primary school teacher, specialising in Early Years Education. I taught in the London Borough of Barnet for over 20 years. Before training as a teacher I ran an independent advice centre in Tower Hamlets, one of the poorest boroughs in the UK, dealing with benefits, housing, consumer rights employment and tax problems. I have 2 adult children and 2 grandsons. Since moving to Reedham 6 years ago I have volunteered at Reedham School as a helper. I also run a forest pre-school playgroup at Strumpshaw Fen between Easter and November. My interests include wildlife, gardening and bellringing.
Anups de Silva – Associate Governor
I am dad to two pupils at the school, and am delighted to represent our community as an Associate Governor. My girls have loved their time at Reedham Primary so far and I am keen to ensure that we are doing all we can to support the school to provide an excellent holistic educational experience to our local children. I work as a Consultant doctor at NNUH and have been an NHS doctor for nearly 30 years.
Ian Catlow – Co-opted Governor
I became a co-opted governor at Reedham School at the end of 2022 because I wanted to give something to the lovely community I live in.
Prior to my retirement in 2019, I worked for HSBC in Malaysia for 5 years. Before that in the UK, I ran my own company as a business analyst and technical author where I had to quickly understand complex processes and document them. I have often had to develop procedures under the auspices of recognised governance frameworks such as the EU Procurement Rules.
I am passionate about good grammar and well written documents, essays and procedure manuals.
In my spare time I enjoy boating and have clocked up well over 2500 nautical miles as part of a yacht master course which I completed in Malaysia. I also enjoy golf and tennis. I am the treasurer at Acle Tennis Club. I also love to walk my dogs on a daily basis.
Benita Ogg – Co-opted Governor
I became a co-opted governor in September 2023. Having worked in the education sector for over 20 years, including as a compliance team inspector in independent schools, I felt I wanted to use this experience within the local community, now that I have retired. I worked for many years in the Education Finance Department of the local authority before moving into operational management.
In my spare time I enjoy all types of handicrafts and volunteer at Norwich Cathedral in the Broderers Guild. I am also learning to bell ring. I enjoy spending as much time as I can with our four grandchildren and my husband and I travel whenever possible – the more off the beaten track the better.
Serena Bastillo – Parent Governor
One of the most important things we will do for our children is provide them with an education. I didn’t just want to choose any school for my children but wanted a school where they would be happy and reach their full potential. When I looked round Reedham Primary, it had everything I wanted: a happy place where education was taken seriously.
I feel privileged to be a member of the governing body and to help carry on the school tradition of providing a solid education for our children.
I come from a different education system and hope that the different perspective that I bring can help in the shaping of Reedham Primary’s future success.
I am also a postgraduate student in this Country and I strongly believe in the positive “can-do-attitude”: we can be the best version of ourselves if given the right tools and opportunities.
Sam Osborn – Parent Governor
As parent governor I have a special responsibility for behaviour, mental health, wellbeing, SEND, PSHE, RSE and cyber security.
My passion being all things health and wellbeing – be that physical or mental health – and as a psychotherapist I am able to use my professional skills to assist the school by ensuring that both pupils and staff are given the support they deserve.
I am grateful for the opportunity to give a voice to those on the playground and build strong relationships between parents and the school and am happy to signpost anyone that needs assistance.
Donna Kelf – Staff Governor
I am proud to be born and bred in Norfolk! I live in the local area with my husband and have 2 grown up children.
I have been working at Reedham Primary and Nursery School for 15 years. Firstly, I was part of the kitchen staff, working as a Midday Supervisor and then as a 1:1 to support a child. After the child left, I became a full time classroom assistant. I have worked in every class within the school, and really enjoy seeing the children grow all the way from Early Years to develop into young adults.
It is lovely when they return years later to visit us. It makes us so proud!
I am particularly interested in the history of the school. We have lots of old records which I enjoy sharing with visitors and children.
