Sophie Dawes, Parent Governor

I have lived in Oxfordshire for 12 years and joined the governing body in 2020 as a Parent Governor.  With 20 years of experience in Education, I am passionate about improving opportunities for young people. I enjoy being a governor because it  is exciting to hear about the strategic plans for the school and to see those plans come into being. 

In my spare time I play hockey, I knit and crochet and, I am a passionate rugby supporter.

Penny McCarthy, Headteacher

I 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.

Don Nash, Clerk

Ryan Stewart, Director-Appointed Governor

I 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.

Matt Cripps

I have lived in Freeland since 2021 and am so grateful to live in a wonderful part of Oxfordshire.  I appreciate the great school that we have here and became Foundation Governor earlier in 2024.  We have two children of our own at Freeland School and value the personal investment that is made into each child.

I have worked in education for over 20 years, both in Primary and Secondary education and leading schools both in the UK and overseas.  I am currently working as Chief Operations Officer for a charity in Oxford and we are part of the church at St Mary's in Freeland.

Deborah Carpenter, Parent Governor

I 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).

Linda Peach, Parent Governor

I 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. 

Having grown up in West Oxfordshire and lived here most of my life, I joined the Governors in September 2024 and look forward to helping the school continue to meet its aims and visions.

I have two daughters in the school and was previously the Chair of the Freeland Pre-school Committee. I committed to join the governing body following the School taking on the early years provision from the Pre-school.

I work as a Senior Investment Manager providing advice to individuals on stocks and shares investment portfolios. I enjoy spending time with my family, walking our Springer Spaniel (when we are also often joined by our cat), and swimming.