The governors include parents of children at our school, as well as local retired and interested parties, each sharing the common goal of making our school the best it can be for the children.
The Governors
Alex
Williams
Governor
(Parent)
Appointed:
2022
Term of Office:
4 Years
Committees:
Resourcing, Health & Safety
Other Responsibilities:
FOWPS, Safeguarding, EYFS
Register of Interests:
None
About Alex
Alex moved to Woodbridge during August 2020 in time for her daughter to start in F2 at Woodbridge Primary.
Prior to moving to Suffolk, Alex and her family lived in London where Alex spent 18 years working as a finance lawyer at a leading international law firm in the City.
Alex chose to become a governor as she has a keen interest to support the school, the staff and the children; to play an active role in helping Woodbridge Primary to be the best it can be.
Stephen
Winspear
Governor
(Parent)
Appointed:
September 2022
Term of Office:
4 years
Committees:
Resourcing (Chair), Health & Safety
Other Responsibilities:
FOWPS
Register of Interests:
None
About Stephen
Stephen originally grew up in Whitby, North Yorkshire and after completing a degree in Software Engineering from Durham University moved down to Suffolk in 2007 to work for BT. He has worked across multiple areas of BT and is currently focused on developing new products and services around emerging technologies like 5G and Internet of Things.
He has two young sons who attend Woodbridge Primary School, and his wife works as a Planning Strategy manager for Suffolk County Council.
With what little spare time life currently affords Stephen is an avid DIYer, an eager – but novice – gardener and a recent Peleton spinning convert.
Helen Banham
Governor
(Parent)
Appointed:
2021
Term of Office:
4 years
Committees:
Behaviour, Teaching & Learning
Other Responsibilities:
Mathematics, SEND
Register of Interests:
None
About Helen
Helen grew up in Leigh on Sea and after University, spent 15 years working as a Marine Underwriter in London. After having her daughter, the family decided on a slower pace of life and made the move to Suffolk in 2019. Her 2 children are now both at Woodbridge Primary with her husband teaching at a secondary school.
Helen fell in love with the school and its amazing outdoor area from day 1 and hopes to support the school going forward to achieve its goals. Helen has a passion for sailing and tennis and in her spare time, can be found pottering in the garden and exploring the Suffolk countryside and coast.
Peppy Macdonald
LA Governor
Appointed:
2023
Term of Office:
4 years
Committees:
None as yet
Other Responsibilities:
None as yet
Register of Interests:
None
About Peppy
Peppy grew up in Essex and Suffolk but spent most of her working life in London. After a period of secretarial work, Peppy was part of a group setting up and running a community day nursery, and then became a member of a co-operative setting up and working in a community bookshop. On her return to Suffolk in 1995 Peppy took her first degree followed by a Masters and PhD in landscape history while working part time as manager of the Woodbridge Oxfam Bookshop.
Peppy loves nature and her allotment and is an active member of Transition Woodbridge. Peppy loves classical music, particularly opera, and sings with Woodbridge Choral Society.
Pippa
Wake
Staff Governor
(Headteacher)
Appointed:
September 2023
Term of Office:
4 years
Committees:
Resourcing, Health & Safety
Behaviour, Teaching & Learning
Other Responsibilities:
None
Register of Interests:
None
About Pippa
Pippa brings over 15 years of experience to her role as the new Headteacher at Woodbridge Primary School. She has previously worked in a diverse range of schools, most recently with her most recent position being the Head of School in a large three-form entry school.
As a maths specialist, Pippa has spent time collaborating closely with maths hubs across the country to develop a greater understanding of effective teaching methods. Pippa has also lent her expertise to Suffolk County Council as a moderator for both Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2, helping to ensure fair and accurate assessments of student performance and contributing to the improvement of education in the county. Pippa is passionate about the outdoors and its potential for enriching education, this has led and motivated her to integrate outdoor learning into the curriculum.
Outside of work, Pippa enjoys spending time with her husband and two young children, who keep her busy! They love to enjoy outdoor activities; from hiking through to sailing, paddle boarding and trail running.
Jo
Ling
Staff Governor
(Music & MFL Specialist)
Appointed:
September 2022
Term of Office:
4 years
Committees:
Behaviour, Teaching & Learning
Other Responsibilities:
None
Register of Interests:
None
About Jo
Jo Ling attended Ipswich High School and undertook a BA Hons degree in Modern Foreign Languages at Bristol University.
Jo then spent ten years living in Paris and working for Banque Paribas (now BNP Paribas) in the Capital Markets back offices and she was part of the team responsible for altering the computer system to manage the new currency, the Euro. Returning to England in 1998, Jo trained as a teacher in Sheffield, working there for two and half years. After her marriage, she moved to Whitstable in Kent and continued teaching part-time while she had her two children. Jo and her family moved back to Suffolk in 2009 and Jo joined Woodbridge Primary School in 2011.
Jo enjoys music in all its forms, travelling, cooking, swimming and keeping up with the friends she has made in all the different places she has lived.
Jo is music and Modern Foreign Languages coordinator and currently teaches in Y3-Y6.
Joshua Simpkin-Betts
Clerk to The Governors
Appointed:
June 2018
Committees:
None
Other Responsibilities:
None
Register of Interests:
None
Joshua is Clerk to the Governors and can be contacted via:
joshua.simpkin-betts@woodbridgeprimary.suffolk.sch.uk
Governor Attendance Record
Download the Governor Attendance Record