Wilby Church of England Primary School

Governing Body

Mrs Rebecca Spurling (Chair of Governors & Parent Governor): As a parent of two young children, the eldest of which joined Wilby Primary in 2021, I was appointed as a Parent Governor in September 2022. I have been a secondary school English teacher since 2013, working before that as a PA. I am involved in a local community church and hope to contribute to the Wilby Primary community through my role as Parent Governor.

Mrs Sally Brightwell : Having been fortunate enough to grow up in the lovely village of Wilby and attend Wilby Primary School, it was a great honour to be appointed as Parent Governor in January 2020. I have two young children, both of whom attend the school.  I qualified as an accountant in 2005, and have remained working local to the area, where I am also actively involved on our family farm. I feel very passionate that every child should be given the best opportunites to maxmise their full potential. I look forward to bringing my own personal skills and experience to assist and support the school as much as possible as it moves forward and continues to provide the highest quality of learning experiences.

Mrs Sandra Apps (Foundation Governor): I have been associated with Wilby primary School since 1995, when we first moved to Suffolk and my daughter Chloe started in Year 2. My son Ryan followed and shortly afterwards I began working at the school as a TA. I then did an OU degree, followed by teacher training through the Graduate Teacher programme. After qualifying I did some supply teaching and one to one tuition before taking up a post in Beccles. Sadly I had to leave teaching due to ill health and I am now a receptionist at Clarke and Simpson in Framlingham. I feel very strongly that a child's experience in education can colour the whole of their life and that we should do all we can to make their experience positive and successful. I am an active member of St Lawrence Church, Brundish and feel hugely honoured that my role as Foundation Governor allows me to continue my long association with the school.

Mr Joseph Cordy (Parent Governor): I was fortunate to become a Parent Governor in 2023 and was inspired to do so as I strongly believe in the power of a brilliant education to help all children reach their full potential and become the stars of the future. Having grown up in Norfolk, I went to The University of Birmingham and then lived in Warwickshire for my early career before returning to Suffolk when starting a family. I have had a career in various sales, marketing and commercial roles, working for some brilliant brands and businesses and hope that some of the skills and experience I have picked up in those roles will be able to help the governing body.

Mrs Lynsey Smith (Parent Governor): I attended Wilby Primary school as a child and I am now a parent of two young children at the school, they joined in 2021 and 2023. I have worked as a lecturer at London College of Fashion (UAL) on their Fashion Contour BA (Hons), and as a lecturer at Suffolk New College on their BA (Hons), Fashion Promotion and Communication. I am now a lecturer at a local college and a secondary school art teacher. Prior to my career in education, I was a contour fashion designer, working for a variety of brands, overseeing growth, innovation and forward planning. I hope to use the attributes I gained from this industry, along with my academic knowledge and interest in wellbeing, to contribute to Wilby Primary through my role as a Parent Governor

Revd. Richard Court (Foundation Governor): I am married with two adult children and two grandchildren. I am still active in ministry helping out at various churches in the area. I enjoy walking, running, swimming and cycling having completed several triathlons and run half marathons. I was a school Governor for ten years whilst ministering in Worcestershire.  Having now retired from full time ministry in the Church of England and returned to Suffolk, I was approached to become a Foundation Governor, a role I was happy to accept. I think that education is the fundamental building block for the whole of our lives and am happy to offer my experience to Wilby School.

Mr Simon Hipwell (Headteacher): I have been teaching for over 15 years across Norfolk and Suffolk, most recently moving from an Assistant Headteacher role in Diss to become the Headteacher of Wilby. Teaching has always been my dream job as working with children is so rewarding. Apart from a brief stint in Bath while at university, I have lived in the Waveny Valley for my whole life and couldn't dream of living anywhere else. I am a keen sportsman, playing hockey for Harleston Magpies as well as belonging to Diss Golf Club.  

Charlotte Atkinson (Additional Governor): I moved to Wilby with my husband in September 2016 and established ‘Charlotte’s Wood’ as a centre for Forest School sessions, Forest School Leader training, woodland activities and Nordic Walking.  I was born in Suffolk and am a former primary school teacher and headteacher with over 25 years’ experience of working in schools, with children and families.  In addition to my Forest School activities, I work with schools in Suffolk, delivering training for governing boards and as an external adviser for headteacher appraisal.  I am also a member of the Wilby Coronation Hall Committee and volunteer regularly at local events.  I am passionate about the importance of connecting people (especially children) with nature and hope that this passion, along with my educational experience, will be of value to the governing board.

Who does what on the Governing Body?
Each Governor has a range of responsibilities. These may change from time to time, depending on the needs of the school and the individual. The current roles and responsibilities for other Governors are listed below:

Mrs Sally Brightwell: Chair of the Finance/Personnel Committee.  New Governor Mentor. Policy and Resources Governor.

Mrs Sandra Apps: Foundation Governor. Named Governor for Teaching Learning and Assessment, Pupil Premium Governor. CiC Governor and SEN Governor.

Revd. Richard Court: Vice Chair -Foundation Governor - Safeguarding Governor-Well-being Governor

Mr Joseph Cordy: Parent Governor. Member of of the Finance/Personnel Committee. GDPR Governor,  Website and Health and Safety Governor

Mrs Rebecca Spurling: Chair of Governors. Parent Governor. SRE Governor.

Charlotte Atkinson: Governor. Member of Finance/ Personnel Committee.

Mrs Lynsey Smith: Parent Governor. SEND Governor.

Mr Simon Hipwell: Head Teacher - Membership of Finance/Personnel. Named Governor for Ethos, Learning and Achievement. New Governor Induction Governor. Policy and Resources Governor.

Jane Balls: Additional governor to work within the Finance/Personnel Committee. Clerk for WGB Meetings.