Meet the Governors
Freeland School Governing Body
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Sophie Dawes, Chair of GovernorsI have lived in Oxfordshire for 12 years and joined the governing body in 2020 as a Parent Governor. I became Vice-Chair in 2021 and Chair of Governors in 2022. With 20 years of experience in Education, I am passionate about improving opportunities for young people. I enjoy being a governor because is exciting to hear about the strategic plans for the school and to see those plans come into being. As well as being Chair of Governors, I am Well-being Governor and link governor for Maths and MFL. I also clerk for the Resources Committee. In my spare time I play hockey, I knit and crochet and, I am a passionate rugby supporter. |
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Penny McCarthy, HeadteacherI have thoroughly enjoyed working at Freeland School for the last seven years and more recently in my role as Headteacher. Teaching was something that I wanted to do from being a very small child and after qualifying nearly 30 years ago I taught in schools in London before moving to Oxfordshire in 2001. I taught in Oxford City before coming to Freeland School. My role is exciting because it is different everyday. Our dedicated and dynamic team are a pleasure to lead and I look enjoy working with staff, governors and the wider community to continue developing the school over the coming years. Outside of school, I love spending time with family and friends, open water swimming and walking my sausage dog called Alfie, as well as singing in a choir. |
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Don Nash, Clerk |
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Ryan Stewart, Director-Appointed GovernorI have lived in Oxfordshire for the majority of my life, only recently moving to South Buckinghamshire. My family live local to Freeland School and I return regularly to see them. For the past five years, I have been Head of Pre-Prep at The Beacon School and from September 2022 I will be moving to St Martins Preparatory School in Northwood. It is an all-boys school for ages 3 to 13 years old. I am a Director-Appointed Governor and I look forward to being part of the Freeland community. |
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Faith Hanks, Director-Appointed GovernorI grew up in a small village in West Oxfordshire and moved to Witney almost two years ago, so I have always been connected to the area. I am a new Director-Appointed Governor at Freeland School, having joined the Governing Body in April 2022, and I am incredibly passionate about education and its ability to transform lives. In my day-to-day role, I am a governance professional for a large group of further education colleges across Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Surrey. I closely support our Governing Board and Executive Team, acting as Clerk to our Committees. I have worked in governance for over three years and prior to this I graduated from the University of Hertfordshire with a BA in History and French. |
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Lauren Cronk, Director Appointed GovernorI grew up in a small village in West Oxfordshire before moving abroad. I have lived in America, Australia & Asia before moving back and settling near Witney. I am a Director-Appointed Governor at Freeland School, having joined the Governing Body in April 2023. I have been a teacher since 2014, working across a range of Key Stages and most recently working in Primary Schools in Oxfordshire. I now work as a SENDCO, prioritising the needs of all children and the children on the SEN register. |
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Vicky Mann, Parent GovernorI moved to West Oxfordshire in 2015 and feel very fortunate to raise my family in such a warm and welcoming community. My two eldest children attend Freeland School and my youngest is due to join the pre-school in the not-too-distant future. I am new to the Governing Body, having joined as a Parent Governor in October 2021. I have worked in a range of commercial, not-for-profit and public sector settings, including both primary and secondary education, and look forward to using my experience to contribute towards the growing success of the school and its pupils. |
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Deborah Carpenter, Parent GovernorI am originally from Oxfordshire although I have worked around the UK and abroad with my job. I currently have two sons at Freeland Primary School. When it came time to select a primary school for our eldest, Freeland came out as the unquestionable winner. I value the smaller, nurturing environment, the fact that all staff know all pupils and the clear vision to get the best from everyone. I work as a Senior Lecturer in English for Academic Purposes and have been teaching in Higher Education for 15 years. Aside from work, I spend my free time enjoying long walks in beautiful countryside, playing referee to my two energetic sons and planning global adventures (which may or may not happen). |
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Linda Peach, Parent GovernorI moved to West Oxfordshire in 2006, prior to that I grew up in Headington, Oxford. I have two children, a son and a daughter who both attend Freeland primary school and have family who live in the village. I am new to the governing body having become a parent governor in May 2023 and very much look forward to helping the school continue to meet its goals and vision. I have worked in the NHS as a nurse for 20 years and currently work as a District nurse team leader. I hope that my leadership experience will enable me to bring many transferable skills to my role as a parent governor. I have a particular interest in SEND and hope that my personal experience can bring a different perspective. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family, playing with my children and enjoying long walks in the beautiful countryside that we are so fortunate to be surrounded by. |
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Lucy Brook, Director Appointed GovernorI live in Cirencester and have 3 children, one at University, one at Sixth Form College and one at school. I have worked in education marketing for more than a decade and am really passionate about education for young people and opening doors through learning and opportunity. My other passion is swimming and I have been a volunteer swimming coach since 2019 at a local competitive club where my daughter is also a swimmer. I am delighted to be able to support Freeland School with its plans for the future and delivery against its goals and to get to know the whole school community. I am particularly interested in supporting the school with its marketing and communication plans within the local community and further afield. |