The Governing Body at Ashleigh Primary School and Nursery
The Governors are responsible for policy and strategy and the Headteacher is responsible for the day-to-day running of the school and ensuring that the policy and strategy agreed by the Governors is implemented. The Governing Body has a large number of legal responsibilities and amongst these are ensuring that the National Curriculum is properly delivered, arranging for religious education to be carried out, deciding how to spend the delegated budget and approving the many different school policies, such as those referring to discipline and behaviour and health and safety.
In this section of the website you can find out who the governors of our school are.
If you would like to contact the governors, please do so by phoning the school at the number on this website’s front page or by emailing the school.
Governance Statement
Ashleigh – Governance Statement 2024
Terms of Reference
Ashleigh – Terms of Reference for Governance 2024
Governors Code of Conduct
Governing Body
John McConnell
I've been the head of Ashleigh since April 2021 and I'm delighted to be part of such a caring and skilled governing body. I've worked in lots of schools during my time as a teacher and it's an honour to lead a school that is enjoys so much support from its local community. I love being a teacher, I love sharing what I've learned during my education and my career and I'm relishing the challenge of taking Ashleigh into the future!
Danni Lacey
It has been my privilege to have worked at Ashleigh Primary School for 17 wonderful years. During this time I have taught across several years groups, managed our maintained Nursery, led the EYFS and furthermore, have held the roles of Assistant Headteacher (Inclusion Manager), and Deputy Headteacher. From April 2020 I have shared the role of Acting Headteacher with Mrs. Greenacre. I am a co-opted Governor and have worked as part of the governing body for many years. My specialist areas being SEN, LAAC and mental health and well-being. I provide strategic direction, support and challenge to the governing body.
Sam Greenhalgh
I have two children at Ashleigh and became a co-opted governor in 2019 and then Chair of Governors in 2020. My role as the Chair of Governors is to lead a fantastic group of governors who provide strategic direction and act as a ‘critical friend’ to the senior leadership team and wider school. I have lived in Wymondham for the past 6 years and I am a solicitor specialising in employment law based in Norwich. I enjoy being part of the community, attending community events and giving something back.
Maria Cornish
I am a former Primary Headteacher who worked in education for 27 years. I loved my job and am passionate about good quality inclusive state education. I had a wonderful career working in a range of schools in Norfolk, as well as training teacher in Philosophy for Children (P4C) across the country. I decided to take early retirement in 2022 so that I could have time to pursue writing and textile art. I have experience and a particular interest in SEND provision, Trauma Informed practice, wellbeing/mental health and developing inclusive school environments. I am delighted to be able to use my experience in education to support Ashleigh Primary and Nursery School.
Jon Brophy
I have a son that is currently attending Ashleigh Primary School and I work as an Assistant Head overseeing Pastoral at Burlington House Sixth form which focuses on students with SpLD's. Previous to that I spent 6 years as a Head of House at The Fulham Boys School. My passion has always been in helping students to develop holistically and have worked in a safeguarding capacity for over ten years now. Although I work in Secondary Education my degree is actually in Primary Education and I feel privileged to be able to give something back and contribute as a Governor.
Hayley Dowling
I was delighted to be elected staff governor in July 2018 as I am passionate about primary education and was keen to share a staff viewpoint during discussions on the strategic leadership of the school. Before training as a teacher, I worked as a teaching assistant whilst completing my degree in Early Years Education. I have taught in 3 schools across the Early Years, Key Stage One and Key Stage Two. For the last 5 years I have lead English across Ashleigh. All of these roles, alongside my current role as a class teacher, give me a good insight into the impact that strategic decisions can have on the children and staff in schools.
Carolyn Ellis-Gage
I live in Wymondham and have three children at Ashleigh Primary and Nursery. I joined the Governors in 2018 as I wanted the opportunity to give back to the community I lived in. I have worked in Primary Education for 15 years and I am a Deputy Head Teacher at a local Complex Needs School. I enjoy being a champion for vulnerable groups of pupils within the school.
Sharon Hill
My name is Sharon Hill and I have lived in Wymondham since 2003. I have worked in the field of Human Resources for many years (to many to mention) and in the last 15 years have trained and undertaken formal Health & Safety Qualifications with IOSH and NEBOSH and ILM Level 5 in Coaching. I also recently undertook the GDPR Practitioner level qualifications and Mental Health First Aid in order to support my employer further having taken up a new role in March of this year. I live with my husband and we are both season ticket holders at Norwich City Football Club and enjoy cycling, both being active members of Wymondham Leisure Centre and whenever possible you will see us at local events in the town or just cycling for miles and miles taking in our beautiful City.
Christine Lowen
I joined the Governors in 2023. I'm keen to give something back to the school and community and I'm committed to working alongside the governing team. My role includes a focus on considering wellbeing issues.
Johanne Bolver
I have lived in Wymondham since 2003. I have clerked for Ashleigh for the past 8 years and have worked for the NCC Clerking service for 10 years. I live with my husband, 2 teenage daughters and a chocolate Labrador who I love walking, I’m a keen cyclist too!
Sarah Sprake
Having taught at Ashleigh for almost a decade, I took the opportunity to join the governing body as a parent governor in 2022. Since qualifying as a teacher, I taught in schools in Norfolk and Suffolk across the primary age range, particularly the early years, including teaching Reception and Nursery at Ashleigh. Before training to be a teacher I worked as a Project Manager in both the private and public sectors. In 2022 I joined Norfolk County Council as an Early Years Advisor working with schools and settings across Norfolk. My children attended Ashleigh, joining the school in Nursery, so I have experienced the school’s growth from an infant to primary school as both a staff member and parent. As a premises governor it has been exciting to see the recent development of the school facilities including investment in the already wonderful resource of Ashleigh Farm, the redevelopment of outdoor learning spaces for the early years and improved play spaces for all year groups. I am committed to the continued success of Ashleigh and to supporting the governing body to deliver outstanding education and facilities for the community.
Rebecca Fletcher-Dungay
I have lived in Wymondham since 2016 and have 2 children at Ashleigh Primary School. I have been a Parent Governor since Dec 2020 and my Governor responsibility is Health and Safety. I have my own Business supplying Bespoke Sports Socks and other bespoke clothing to Business, Sports Clubs and Schools.
Sarah Lynch
I moved to Wymondham in 2020 and my son attends Ashleigh Primary School. I am a lecturer at UEA and also have over a decade of experience in secondary education having worked as a Teacher of Chemistry at Norwich School and Harrow School. I am passionate about teaching and learning, and it is my privilege to be able to utilise my experience and interests to support Ashleigh as a co-opted Governor specialising in curriculum.
