Darrell Butcher – Parent Governor

Hello, I’m Darrell the Chair of Governors. I have a daughter at the school, and two younger sons, one of who attends Little Melton Pre School.

I have been actively involved with the Primary School for ten years and in that time I have supported the setting up of allotments, viewed Christmas plays, attended School discos and helped out with our famous May fair.

I have seen the school go from strength to strength in that time, with many outstanding achievements. I look forward to collaborating with the children, staff and Governors of Little Melton Primary in striving to maintain the high standards they set themselves.

Joan Hughes – Staff Governor

My name is Joan Hughes and I am delighted to be the Head Teacher of this wonderful school.  I live on the outskirts of Norwich with my husband David and have two daughters and two grandchildren.

Although I have lived in Norfolk for over 30 years, people soon realise that I am ‘from up North’.  I am a Yorkshire lass and my parents and sister are still Barnsley based.

I love spending weekends at our caravan in North Norfolk; walking, swimming and generally relaxing in preparation for the start of another busy week at school.

Natalie Butcher – Staff Governor

Hello, I’m Natalie and I’m currently the Owlet’s class teacher. I have a daughter at the school and two younger sons.

I have been a teacher at the school since September 2002, and in that time have taught Years R, 1 and 2 and I am currently teaching the Year R/1 class.

I am involved in the running of the school allotments with the kind assistance of parent helpers, and help promote the idea of healthy eating with the children by running an after school ‘Farm to Fork’ club.

Every year, along with my colleagues, I look forward to helping the children put on the Christmas play and practice their show stopping routines for the May Fair.

I am a subject leader in literacy, geography, history and early years.

As a staff Governor I sit on the curriculum/publicity committee.

Claire Davies – Staff Governor

My name is Claire Davies. I have spent my life doing sport and teaching children! From a very young age I was a swimmer and ended up with the England squad (my claim to fame!). I worked at a children’s outdoor education centre from when I was a teenager, teaching children adventurous activities like: canoeing, abseiling and orienteering. It paid badly so I decided that teaching was for me! My mum is a retired music teacher so I knew all about the stresses of teaching. My degree specialised in PE and I represented the university in swimming, tennis, badminton, netball, hockey and anything else that was going!

I have now been teaching for 14 years, first in London, then inner city Birmingham (that was interesting) and now here in sunny Norwich. I have two children of my own who are becoming way too independent way too quickly!

Tim Eagle – LEA Governor

Hello, my name is Tim Eagle.  I was appointed as a local authority Governor in 2009.  I was keen to try my hand at some community work, so I was very pleased to be accepted as a Governor at my local school.  I hope that I add something to the the school by way of being an experienced business owner and manager, and a solicitor of about 30 years experience.  I would like to get into the school more often, but you will at least see me helping out at the May Fair each year.

I have lived in Little Melton since June 2007, and I like the village and surrounding area very much indeed. I was brought up in Gorleston and, after four years studying in London and then Nottingham, I returned to Norfolk in 1981. I became a partner in the Norwich and North Norfolk law firm of Hansells in 1987, and I now head up our dispute resolution team.

I have two children, a 20 year old son who is studying in Paris and a 15 year old daughter about to take her GCSEs, so all is not peaceful and harmonious! Apart from the children, my main loves are my motorbikes and my Caterham Seven, sailing, wine, walking and eating.

Julian Hill – Parent Governor

Hello, my name is Julian Hill. I have been a parent Governor at the school for a couple of years. My youngest daughter is at the school. I also have two older children who are both at college.

At work, I am a chartered surveyor in Aviva’s Commercial Finance team based in Norwich. As a Governor, I sit on the Buildings sub committee and am the nominated Governor for the After School Club.

William Lockwood – Parent Governor

My name is Will Lockwood.  Being a newly elected parent Governor, I am looking forward to the challenges that my new role within the school will bring.

I have two young daughters, the eldest being in Snowy Owls class, with the youngest due to start Pre-School in March 2010.

My wife and I returned to the county of our birth after studying, living and working in the midlands for some 12 years.

Professionally whilst working as an Architectural Technologist I have been privileged to work on a number of School improvement projects ranging from small extensions/alterations, feasibility studies, curriculum analysis, master planning, new build facilities and up to completely new schools.

As such it is my hope that some of my experience will be of use to the school’s commitment to continual progression and improvement.

Julie Reynolds  - Parent Governor

Hi, my name is Julie and my youngest son is currently in Year 1.  I have two other sons, one in Year 9 at Hethersett High School, the oldest left Hethersett High last year.

I am a part-qualified accountant, employed at UEA as the Finance Manager for trading activities which includes student accommodation, catering and the Sportspark.

I am really looking forward to spending my time as parent Governor on the finance sub committee.

Sarah Graves – Community Governor

Hello, my name is Sarah Graves.  I joined the Governors last year and I am looking forward to learning more about how a Primary School runs whilst being able to deliver an inspiring and supportive education to the children within its care.

Professionally, I qualified with a Degree in teaching Key Stage 2 children from Birmingham University in 1997.  Since them I have taught in Primary Schools in Essex and Norfolk.

I am currently a full time Mum to my two boys ages 7 and 4.  I maintain my interest in education by marking the Key Stage 2 SAT’s which I have been involved with for the past 4 years.

Andrew Gilbertson – Parent Governor

Hello my name is Andrew Gilbertson and I am delighted to be a Governor at Little Melton Primary School. My wife and now two daughters and I moved to Little Melton in 2009. Our eldest is 5 years old and absolutely loves being in Owlets class. The youngest is 2 years and wants to be 5 years old like her big sister. For employment I am Leader of Biology at Sir John Leman High School in Beccles. I love teaching and after many years I still find it enjoyable and extremely rewarding.

Keith Drinkwater – Community Governor

Hi, I’m Keith Drinkwater and delighted to have been recently elected to the Little Melton school Governing body.  My wife and I moved into Little Melton from Manchester 3 years ago as our daughter and her family live and work in Norwich.

For the previous 65 years I lived in Manchester where I was born and bred, went to university there, worked as a architect, then changed careers in my mid-twenties and worked in education for 38 years as a primary teacher, then Head Teacher of 3 primary schools and latterly as an Education Consultant.

I’ve joined an art group and paint (messily), play some golf (when sunny), garden, keep fit at the UEA Sportspark, assist with painting scenery for the Hethersett panto and most importantly, collect and entertain my 7 year old grandson a couple of days a week after school and during holidays.

Retirement is great but having enjoyed the buzz of working in primary schools for most of my career, I still feel I have something to contribute to the present generation of children.

P.S. I have now switched my lifelong allegiance from Manchester United to the Canaries!!

Paul Linford - Community Governor

Hi, I’m Paul and I’m a community Governor. I’ve had three children at Little Melton.  I work on the finance sub-committee and I’m the Governor who monitors child protection within the school.

In my day job I’m an electronics engineer and Managing Director of a small company called Syrinix which is based in the Hethel Engineering Centre and employs five people.