Governors

Heidi Callon Hine, Parent Governor

I have lived in Marlow for 4years with my husband Will and three boys - Charlie currently at Burford in Year 4, Oliver in Year 2 and Max who will be starting in 2011. I am a director of a small property development company, working from home alongside Will and have also been involved in the fashion business for 23 years.

I became a parent governor in May 2008 in order to learn more about how the school is run and to offer my help and support in any way I can.I am Chairman of the Premises committee and also a member of the Curriculum committee. I am the Environment/Outdoor Learning Governor and the Music Governor.

In my spare time I enjoy gardening, riding and travelling and of course hanging out with my boys!

Paula Dijoux, Parent Governor

I have lived in Marlow Bottom for almost 7 years and have 2 daughters, Savannah (Yr4) and Mimi (Yr2).  I run a Corporate and Executive Coaching business and whilst my office is at home I am mostly in London with my clients or running training events both in the UK and Europe. I like to spend quality time with my family, just chilling out at home or walking, cycling, cooking, arts & crafts, visiting places and with friends.

I Chaired the Marlow Bottom pre-school playgroup and liked being involved in the community and the environments in which my girls spend so much of their time, so became a Governor at Burford in 2008.   I am the Early Years and Outdoor Learning Governor and sit on the Personnel and Community Committees.

Ingrid Galbraith, Parent Governor

I have lived in Marlow since 2000 with my husband Neil and our two children - Matthew and Rebecca.

I became a parent governor in October 2008 and currently sit on the Curriculum, and Community Committees and I am also the Science Governor. I am on the School Travel Planning Committee where my main responsibility is the termly newsletter.

I work part-time as an LSA (Learning Support Assistant) at Great Marlow School in the Special Needs Department. When I am not working or reading the many interesting documents that come my way as a governor, I love to spend time with my family - having long social lunches, going to the movies, reading and eating out.

Simon Crossley, Parent Governor

I am the father of Harry who is in year 1. I have lived in the Wycombe district for just over three years now, previously in Burnham for nearly ten years. Originally from Blackpool I moved to London after university.  I currently work in adult education as a manager of a centre. Previously, I have worked in community safety and local regeneration covering grant funding and monitoring performance. Also, I have been on a management committee for a small local charity in which I became involved in recruiting staff, bidding for funding, and supporting volunteers.

I became a parent governor in October 2009 and joined the Premises Committee. I hope to be able make a real contribution to the development of the schools premises. So far I have learnt from the Governing Body that there is a wide range of areas to oversee I look forward to learning all about how the school works.  I became a governor so that I could support the work of parents and teachers to make the most for our children's education.

I am part of a local squash club, enjoy walking holidays and am keen to spend time with my son involving him in lots of interests and sports that the school has to offer.

Leanda Robson, Chairman of Governors, Community Governor

I live in Marlow Bottom just a few hundred yards from the school gates with my husband Graham and our daughters Anna and Cerys. Anna spent 7 happy years at Burford and is now in year 7 at Wycombe High and Cerys is in year 4. Prior to leaving work to have our daughters, I worked for almost 20 years in a variety of senior secretarial and administrative roles for a large engineering and construction company.

I was elected as a parent governor in October 2004 and at the end of my 4 year term of office I was asked to remain with the governing body as a Community Governor. I became Vice-Chairman in 2006 and was elected Chairman of Governors in October 2007 and was subsequently re-elected to the role in 2008, 2009 and 2010.  I am a member of the Curriculum, Community, Finance, Personnel and Premises Committees. My curriculum responsibilities are for PSHE (Personal, Social & Health Education) and Gifted & Talented.

Sarah Cooper, Community Governor

I have lived in Marlow Bottom for the last 7 years. We have three children, Max who is in year 4, Elena who is in Reception and Sophia who won't start school until September 2014!  I have enjoyed a successful career in purchasing, spanning some twenty years, during which time I worked and lived overseas.  Latterly I specialised in change management and mentoring / coaching of diverse teams. However, following the birth of Elena I decided to take a break from corporate life and to spend some quality time with my expanding family.

I became a Community governor in 2007. My interest in becoming a governor stems from my belief in the state education system and the fond memories that I have of my Bucks school days.  Since becoming a governor I have taken on the responsibility of being the Chair of the Curriculum Committee as this area relates back to my interest in how children are taught during their time at school. I am also the Literacy and Assessment Governor.

John McMillan, Community Governor

I have lived in Wycombe District for nearly 20 years and in Marlow Bottom since November 2000. I became interested in becoming a Governor when our son Alex started in Reception and was appointed as a Community Governor in 2007.

Since joining the Governing Body I have become Chairman of the Personnel Committee and a member of the Finance Committee. I have also taken on the role of Development Governor and Child Protection Governor.

I have a general interest in most things sporting though more a spectator than participant these days - apart from regular games with Alex and his pals.

Greg Whyte, Community Governor

I have lived in Marlow Bottom for 6 years with my wife Penny and our two girls - Maya is currently at Burford in reception, and 2 year old Elise attends St. Mary's pre-school.  I am a Professor of Applied Sport and Exercise Science and a Director of the Centre for Health and Human Performance at 76 Harley Street, London.

I became a community governor in 2011 to better understand the role of the school in the community and to give back to the community that has been so welcoming since our arrival. As a former Olympian, combined with my academic and professional life, I have a keen interest in the importance of physical activity for health. Accordingly, I have taken on the role of PE governor.  In addition to which I have recently joined the Curriculum Committee.

I spend much of my spare time taking on major physical challenges and spending time with family and friends.

Peter Lerner, Vice Chairman of Governors, Local Authority Governor

I was appointed to Burford's Governing Body by the local education authority, although I am also a parent, of Nick (who was at school between 2000 and 2006) and Saskia (who attended school from 2003 to 2010).

As well as being Vice Chairman of Governors, I chair the Community Committee, which fosters links between the School and the wider community. I am lead governor for Special Educational Needs (SEN), and I also have governor curriculum responsibility for Geography. I would be pleased to hear from parents/carers/guardians who may wish to raise any issues concerning my areas of responsibility.

I was elected in 2009 to the Buckinghamshire Schools Forum, which means that I am able to help to ensure at County level that Burford continues to improve in line with all current educational initiatives.

I am a graduate of Oxford University. After a long career in local government, rising to the level of chief executive, I am now managing director of my own company, which is a consultancy specialising in local government improvement, change management, mentoring and mediation, town planning and development. I am a season ticket holder at Wycombe Wanderers and enjoy music, theatre and being with my family.

I have lived in Wycombe for over ten years with my husband and children. We chose Burford school because of its reputation. My daughter left Burford in 2010, and Harry is in KS1, so I am lucky enough to have seen both "ends" of the school. I was elected a parent governor in November 2004, and in 2008 took on the role of a Local Authority Governor.

I joined the Finance committee, of which I am the Chairman, and personnel committee which covered my interests in particular. I am also the Numeracy governor, and I serve as a Trustee of the School Fund. Being a governor has given me a real insight into the issues and challenges that schools face.

Originally from Bolton, I moved south in 1995 with my husband. I have a small accountancy practice working from home. I enjoy reading, eating out & going to FOB events!!!!

Saleema Burney, Local Authority Governor

My husband and I moved to Wycombe four years ago with our four girls, and our two youngest are now enjoying their time at Burford School! Prior to this, we had lived in West London, and it was many years of voluntary work with children there that made me realise how much I enjoy working with them. My keen interest in education, furthermore, led me to a career in Primary teaching and I can say I have thoroughly enjoyed my time teaching KS2 in two different London schools. My husband works as a consultant paediatrician in North London, and also shares my enthusiasm for community involvement.

However, I have now been a full-time mum for seven years, leaving work when I had my youngest two girls. The demands of mothering four girls keep me busy, but I have always tried to maintain my involvement in their schools as far as possible. During my teaching years, I developed a particular interest in Primary Mathematics, and have recently delivered a number of workshops on the subject, aimed at parents from minority ethnic backgrounds. Currently, I am pursuing my interest in world religions and cultures, and have been studying for an MA at the University of London. I soon found that study and young children are not the easiest of things to juggle!

I have been a Governor at Burford since November 2009, and have enjoyed the variety of experiences that come with the role. I hope to be able to draw on both my academic and personal experiences to enhance diversity and cultural exchange at Burford, making our children's school life a rich one.

Karol Whittington, Headteacher, Staff Governor

Originally from Wales I studied at Weymouth College of Education in the mid seventies. Having trained in the Primary age range I gained my teaching qualification majoring in Art and Music. I took up my first post in the London Borough of Hounslow in Southall, Middlesex with my introduction to teaching being with a Reception class of 40 non-English speaking children and unfortunately classroom assistants weren't heard of then! I then moved to a large Primary school called Isleworth Town, in Isleworth, Middlesex where I taught a variety of year groups for ten years. After this I changed Authorities and worked in the London Borough of Hillingdon, firstly at Hillingdon Infants for two years and then a large C of E Primary school in Hayes. I became Deputy Head whilst at Dr Tripletts C of E Primary, completing my MA in Education whilst there and staying for 10 years. I then moved to Buckinghamshire as Headteacher of Chalfont St Giles Infant school. I was in this post for 6 years before being successful in gaining the headship at Burford in September 2006!

I am delighted to be Headteacher of such a lovely school with the best children I have ever encountered! I enjoy working in an environment where the staff are so warm and friendly and the parents are enthusiastic and supportive. As I live in Fulmer, near Gerrards Cross, I have a convenient journey to school and I am looking forward to working at Burford for many years to come!

Sue Kime

I moved to the local area in 2001 having lived in many different parts of the UK and a few around the world.

After a career in nursing, I trained as a teacher and graduated in 2008 from Oxford Brookes University with a BA (Hons) in Primary Teacher Education with English as a specialist subject. I joined Burford School as a Year 3 teacher after qualifying and am thoroughly enjoying the experience.

I became an associate governor in 2004 and a staff governor in 2008. I currently sit on the Curriculum Committee. I have a keen interest in many curriculum subjects, one of these is ICT and I have taken on the role of ICT coordinator.

Emma Legassick, Staff Governor

I obtained my BEd (Hons) degree from Reading University where I studied music as my main subject. My first teaching post was in Maidenhead where I taught mixed Rec/Year 1 classes for 4 years. I then moved to Tylers Green First School in High Wycombe and taught there happily for over 10 years, taking responsibility for Music, Literacy, Science, RE and PSHE.

I joined Burford at Easter 2008, and feel privileged to work alongside such a dedicated team of professional, caring staff. As well as teaching a Year 1 class, I work throughout the school to provide a variety of musical opportunities for children of all ages, and enjoy preparing Burford Choir to sing at concerts throughout the year. I sit on the Curriculum Committee.