Alton School

OUR LOCAL GOVERNING BODY

The Alton's Local Governing Body includes parents (elected by the school's parent body), members of staff (elected by the school staff) and co-opted local governors (appointed by the local governing body and/or the Trustees, because they have the skills required to contribute to the effective governance and success of the school).
 

What the LGB does


The school is overseen by the Board of Trustees for the Quality First Education Trust. The board delegates some governance functions to the LGB, as outlined in our scheme of delegation, which can be found on the Trust website. The Alton's LGB works as a team of local governors to challenge, monitor and support the school, to make sure it provides a good quality education for its pupils. There are normally two full LGB meetings per term. 

In addition to attending meetings, local governors may take on a link or lead role for an aspect of the school. As part of this link role, they will undertake pre-arranged visits and/or work with members of staff to monitor particular aspects of provision, and report back to the LGB. 

 

Contacting the LGB


If you wish to contact the local governing body you can write to us, care of the School Office. Bring or send your letter to the school, marked for the attention of the Chair of the Local Governing Body. However, please be aware that concerns should be managed in accordance with the school concerns and complaints policy, which means that local governors will not act unilaterally and may refer issues back to the school.

Blessing Thomas

Co-opted Governor

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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.

Ellie McCormack

Co-opted Governor

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Stacey Bates

Parent Governor

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Jenny Yates 

 

Co-opted Governor

 

I was delighted to be 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 Africa and in Indonesia. I was elected as a Councillor for Roehampton Ward in May 2022 and sit on Wandsworth Council. I’m also the Chair of a homelessness charity called Groundswell that helps people in London experiencing homelessness access healthcare. 

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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. 

 

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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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Lewis Burton

Governor
Staff Governor

Term of office: 30th September 2022 to 29th September 2026

I am a second year early careers teacher and the current year 3 teacher at The Alton. 

I am a sports fanatic and love to get out in the fresh air as much as possible when I am not at school. 

I am originally from Reading but I went to university in Coventry and did my initial teacher training at a school in Canterbury before finding a very lovely home, surrounded by amazing teachers and governors here at The Alton.

I am very honoured and proud to be representing the teachers of this school and I am committed to helping in any way that I can. 

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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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Claire Gilbert  



Councillor 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.