Crawley Ridge Junior School Local Academy Board is a sub-committee of the TAMAT Trust Board with delegated responsibility for school’s educational outcomes, health and safety, policy implementation and safeguarding. LAB plays a vital role in making sure that decisions are taken at a level closest to those affected, ensuring that every child receives the very best education. LAB meets once a term, with the additional Planning meeting at the start of the Autumn term and a Strategy meeting in the Spring term.

Associate Members do not have voting rights.

Fiona Torley: 

Having grown up in Cheshire and lived across the UK throughout my career, I settled in Surrey about 12 years ago. My professional background is in Human Resources, working mainly within the hotel & leisure industry and within an educational setting. I have been an independent HR consultant since 2002 specialising in all aspects of HR, Employment Law, Recruitment, and Training & Development. Over the last 3 years I have also worked in other business sectors.

In 2012 I received my first introduction to school governance. A couple of years later at the same school, I became Chair of the Governing Body and remained in the position for just over three academic years. In 2017 I joined Connaught Junior School (another TAMAT school) where I am Vice Chair of their Local Academy Board (LAB), with a responsibility for Safeguarding and Child Protection.

I am delighted to have been asked by the TAMAT CEO & Trust Board to join Crawley Ridge Junior School as the new LAB Chair. I hope my experience will help to support the school and TAMAT as we continue to grow as a schools' Trust. I look forward to supporting the school team and my fellow governors to drive the ethos and values of the school; to help build on the school’s strengths in providing an academic and social education that inspires, creates awe and wonder, encourages curiosity, values effort and promotes positive learning attitudes with the child always ‘at its centre and at its heart’.

I look forward to meeting our children, our team and members of our community along the way.

Catalin Voinescu: 

My name is Catalin and I became a governor in 2018. I'm also involved with the PTA, and I run the after school Code Club. Both my children attend Crawley Ridge Junior School. I'm a computer programmer and I work part-time for a human genetics research lab at UCL. I like books, science, computers, and maths -- and also board games.

Abi Summers:

My name is Abi Summers and I became Vice Chair in 2019 after a year as a co-opted governor. I have been a primary school teacher for 20 years and I spend my time teaching music to more than 400 children a week at South Camberley Primary School which is a split site primary school in Camberley. This role is part-time which means I have time to dedicate to Crawley Ridge Junior School, working with the staff and children as we push forward into the rapidly changing and increasingly demanding world of the 21^st century.

I am completely committed to my role as governor and I work hard to develop a professional, trusting relationship with staff and pupils across the school, helping them make the right decisions

As governors, we work together to strategically plan for the future; to ensure that the school is pushing high standards in all areas in a financially sound way. I visit the school regularly ensuring that we as governors are challenging leadership decisions and encouraging reflection upon current practices for the sake of pupils and staff welfare. I am really excited to be a part of the future of Crawley Ridge Junior School and hope to help lead it with confidence into the next few years as we develop as part of the TAMAT Academy.

Louise Baxendale:

Hi, my name is Louise Baxendale and I became a parent governor in November 2019. I have two daughters at CRJS and have been actively involved with the school for over 3 years.

I have worked in the aviation industry for over 20 years, originally as an engineer, moving to technical asset management and more recently managing large-scale product development, both within customer experience and commercial products.

During my free time I am a volunteer with the Air Cadet Organisation, responsible for the training and development of cadets and adult volunteers across Surrey.

I am really excited to be given the opportunity to use my professional experience, together with my youth development knowledge, to support the school.  I am keen to ensure we harness the benefits of integration into TAMAT and continue to achieve the strategic development targets set.

All children deserve a well-run, safe, happy and stimulating learning environment  and  I am confident that the staff and governing body at Crawley Ridge Junior School are committed to delivering this.

Sarah Jolliffe:

Hello, my name is Sarah Jolliffe and I have been a teacher for over 10 years and I am the Deputy Headteacher here at Crawley Ridge. I am passionate about teaching, learning and the curriculum and have been lucky enough to work across a number of schools with this as my focus in the past. I am an experienced school governor and also hold a governor role at a school in Bracknell. I really enjoy working with the staff, children, families and governors to ensure that all Crawley Ridge children receive the very best education.

Sue Knight:

I have had a long association with the school both as a parent and a member of staff and it has been my privilege to lead the school for the last three years.  I have two sons; both of whom attended the school and that has enabled me to understand the different perspectives of the school. I enjoy the fact that this is a small school where everyone knows everyone and the beautiful grounds, that surround me as I work, make each day special.

The last few years have been times of great change for the school, but it is lovely to see standards rising and I was particularly proud to get the letter from the local authority putting us in the ‘Good to Great’ category.

I hope to meet you at one of the many PTA and school run events that enrich the life of the school.  

Ailsa West:

My name is Ailsa and I'm honoured to be a parent governor. Both my children have attended Crawley Ridge Junior School. Both have thrived on the experience not just academically but as whole young people. I have seen first hand the dedication, tenacity, and passion the staff have for their roles. Always going above and beyond to provide all the children with a challenging, rewarding and most of all fun environment to learn and become better young people.

My professional background is in marketing, specifically in network management. I currently work in a local independent senior school. I hope to aid the experienced governing team to further improve and enhance this very special school.

Meryl Lambert:

My name is Meryl Lambert.  I became a governor in 2021.  My professional background is Project and Programme Management in both Defence and Space. I previously worked for several large and small engineering companies before setting up my own business in 2018, focusing on support to satellite and launch programmes.  Unsurprisingly, given my background, I am keen to help enhance and promote STEM subjects within schools and encourage women in engineering across multiple disciplines. I am really excited to take on this role and use my skill set within the local community. Having grown up locally, and returned to bring up on my own family 10 years ago, I am particularly delighted to be working with Crawley Ridge Junior School.

Edward Bartlett:

I am delighted to join Crawley Ridge Junior School (CRJS) as a governor.  Having previously volunteered at various youth groups, and completing my gap year as a volunteer at a residential retreat centre for young people, I am looking forward to returning to voluntary work in a new role, bringing the experience I have gained through working as a Paramedic for the Ambulance Service and more recently in Legal Services for the NHS.

I believe that good governance is crucial to ensuring a safe, productive and successful environment.  I am also excited to join a school with the additional benefits of the grounds that CRJS has to offer.  I believe that in addition to strong academic achievement, a practical understanding and experience of the natural world is essential to children’s development, and this something that CRJS is able to offer in abundance.

 

This school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children

and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.