Meet The Governors
Governor profiles are below. Click here to view minutes of full governing body meetings.
David Gould (Chair of Governors)
I moved to Wilburton about fifteen years ago having worked in advertising in London for 30 years and spend most of my time now renovating our 15th Century house. I am married with three grown up boys who have all now moved away from home. We love living in the village and since being here have been involved with the Youth Club, Toddler Group, Theatre Group, Fireworks and Beer Festival. I am a Foundation Governor appointed by the diocese and have been involved with the school for about 13 years. I originally became a governor to help support the church school and the village community. I have been Chair for the last three years and sit on the Standards Committee.
Anthea (Tup) Dodson (Foundation Governor)
I have lived in Wilburton for virtually all my life and attended Wilburton Primary School as a child - initially in the old building in the High Street and then in the present building. After a short time away, we moved back into Wilburton to take over the family business but also so our children could attend Wilburton school as I strongly believe that the early years spent at a primary school gives a firm foundation for life. Wilburton Primary School provided that for myself, my children and is now for my grandchildren. I am involved in a variety of groups in the village and am a deacon, treasurer and secretary of Wilburton Community Baptist Church, a Parish Councillor of many years’ service, Brownie helper, Vice Chair of the Stretham and Wilburton Community Land Trust. Wilburton is an important part of my life and I want to see it continue to be a community focused village. I retired from my role as Head of Criminal Justice for Cambridgeshire Constabulary and became a Community Governor, allocated to the Resources Committee but I am now a Foundation Governor and Chair of the Standards Committee with responsibility for Christian Foundations and SEND provision. I am a huge supporter of the school and want to see it grow and improve. I am particularly keen to ensure that every pupil who attends the school reaches the best level of achievement in whatever way helps them to fulfil their ambitions and dreams.
Richard Nicoll (Local Authority Governor)
I have lived in Wilburton for over 21 years and am married with twin sons attending Wilburton Primary. I have worked in Computing and Management as both an Executive & Non-Executive Director with 32 years’ experience in digital interactive TV, consumer electronics and automated teller machine markets. Experienced at managing and growing teams under changing and challenging circumstances. Experienced at developing new business domestically and internationally along with responsibility for P&L. Degree qualified with a BSc in Computing Science and an MBA. Award winning wildlife photographer. www.richardnicollphotography.co.uk
Angie Sykes (Staff Governor)
I am the staff governor at Wilburton and am proud to have worked at the school since 2013. I currently teach in Squirrels class (Year 1 and 2) and am also English lead and deputy head. I have been teaching for 20 years and my background is in History and English. I believe strongly in the importance of reading and vocabulary so I am thrilled by our new library which is situated at the heart of the school. I am also looking forward to the upcoming plans that will further enhance our children’s learning experience.
Liz Taberner
Hopefully, most of you know me, or at least recognise my name, but for those who don’t, this is a brief outline of my background. I have a background in Retail Management but left this career to become a full-time mum. After moving from Leicestershire to Haddenham in 1995, with my husband and young children, I volunteered at Robert Arkenstall School, where our two children attended. I started with supporting the classes with reading and then was appointed as a 1:1 with a child in care. After he was moved from the area, I became a 1:1 with a child with disability needs. Soon after, she moved to Wilburton Primary School, where I have been for 20 years, until I ‘retired’ in 2019. I have worked with most year groups, however I focused on the Year 6s, supporting both the class teachers, mainly Miss Sadler, and the pupils. This year group is such an important year for their own personal development and to support them and prepare them for both secondary school, as well as SATs. To help them I have attended over 20 Kingswood residential visits which I’ve thoroughly enjoyed. It’s a pleasure to watch their independence develop and being able to take them out of their comfort zone. The transition when the children return to the classroom always amazes me. Over the years I have seen many changes, however I feel the school is continuing to be in a strong position, and is going from strength to strength. Not only focusing on the pupil’s education but the importance of the children’s wellbeing and love for themselves and each other, as well as excellence - wanting to do their best! I have thoroughly enjoyed working with both the children and the amazing team of staff. That is why I wanted to continue supporting the school as a volunteer and a governor on the Resources Committee, and in the governor team to monitor and support the school's value of Wellbeing.
Victoria Michelson
I moved to the village just under three years ago and really feel that the school is an integral part of village life and the bedrock of our community here in Wilburton. I have two sons who attend the school and, prior to having my youngest, I worked as Primary School teacher and Foundation Stage Coordinator at a school in London for ten years. In addition to my PGCE I also have a BA in Philosophy and a Masters in Human Rights. I am passionate about a child centred approach to education and equality of education for all. I am a Parent Governor and serve on the Resources Committee. Through being a governor and my work on the WSA I hope to support the school in any way that I can.
Louisa Tipler (Parent Governor)
Since moving to Wilburton 19 years ago, I have always supported events within the local community and schools. Since my son was born (he’s currently in Key Stage 1 at the school) I’ve taken an active role in supporting local groups such as the café church and the toddler group based at the Baptist church hall as well as volunteering to help at forest school once my son started attending Wilburton Primary School. I have 20 years’ experience working within education in a variety of roles – I taught Years 5, 6 and 7 in a middle school, specialising in maths and science before becoming an Educational Psychologist. I have supported schools as an Educational Psychologist whilst working for local authorities, working directly with a specialist provision for young people with autism and via my own private practice. I’m passionate about the education of all children and wish to use both my professional knowledge and personal commitment to education to support the school as a parent governor. I am vice-chair of the Standards Committee and have governor responsibility for safeguarding.
Kara Atkinson (Foundation Governor)
I have happily been at the school gates, supported on trips, clapped in assemblies, cheered at Sports Days and supported fundraisers for seven years. My eldest child has recently moved on to attend secondary school and my youngest child joins his remaining siblings at the school so I have another seven years ahead. As an Early Years Teacher and Forest School Leader I am passionate about fostering a love of learning, creating opportunities for connecting and enjoying the world around us and developing inquisitive minds. I am very much looking forward to beginning my journey as a Foundation Governor of Wilburton Church of England Primary School. It is a school that has encouraged, celebrated and nurtured my own children. I hope to support the school in strengthening its Christian distinctiveness as well as further developing the positive relationships between our school, the Baptist and Anglican Churches and wider community.
Bonnie Mitchell (Parent Governor)
I moved to Wilburton in 2016, and my involvement with Wilburton CofE began with my eldest child starting in reception in 2017. I believe that Wilburton CofE offers my children an excellent local primary school setting. I am aware that the teaching body, Mr Aston, and the board of Governors work hard to achieve this, and I wanted to offer my support to the Board. I became a Parent Governor in 2021. I work as a Finance Director for a technology business. My transferable skills are primarily financial planning and budgeting, and I now sit on the Resources Committee.
Zoe Morgan (Parent Governor)