Our Governors
Meet our Governors
Our Governing Body
We have a dedicated team of governors who collectively has responsibility for managing the school budget, building maintenance and curriculum direction. Our governors make important decisions on how our school runs and perform a vital strategic role. One key function is to help raise educational standards and performance.
The Governing Body consists of different members of the locality – parents, staff, church, Local Authority and community. When parent vacancies arise, notification will be sent out via the pupils.
The Governing Body of Alconbury Primary School is committed to ensuring Safeguarding including Child Protection is rigorously upheld. The welfare of the children is paramount.
If you have any questions about governance, please contact the Chair of Governors at DLewis@alconbury.cambs.sch.uk or the Clerk at NValderaz@alconbury.cambs.sch.uk.
Mrs Jane Watts
Staff Headteacher
Alconbury School is my first headship role and what an amazingly special place to take on this exciting opportunity. I now share this role with Mrs Hannah Mulcrone. Prior to headship, I was Deputy Head for nine years and over my 20 years of teaching I have enjoyed teaching both Key Stage 1 and 2 pupils. I always refer to Alconbury School as our “Alconbury family”. This family extends to include all of the staff, pupils, parents, governors and so many members of the wider community that all make valuable contributions to our school. Every day at Alconbury I learn something new from somebody and most often it is from our pupil.
Mrs Hannah Mulcrone
Staff Headteacher
I have worked at our wonderful school for several years – firstly as the deputy head and now as a joint headteacher with Mrs Jane Watts. At our school we are part of a big family and being part of the ‘Alconbury Family’ makes my job both enjoyable and rewarding. It also means that I have developed strong working relationships with our pupils, staff, families and members of our wider community. Something I really enjoy; getting to know people.
Other roles I have within school include leading English, being a Reading Lead and other curriculum subject leads. I also enjoy working with our Eco Council and Children’s Collective Worship Council. I am the Designated Person for Safeguarding, and Lead for Domestic Abuse.
Mrs Stephanie Clitheroe
Deputy Head
Staff Governor
I started working at Alconbury School in 2006, having just returned from an amazing 10 year adventure working in Hong Kong. Since arriving in the school, I have spent most of my time working in Key Stage One, which I have loved, but throughout my teaching career, I have taught across across the complete primary age range in a variety of positions. I now feel very lucky to be working in our wonderful school in the role of Deputy Head /SENCo, In addition to this, I also share the role of Mental Health Lead with Mrs Mawhinney and we work hard to ensure we support good mental health and wellbeing for both children and staff in our school. I enjoy working with our enthusiastic school council team to ensure that our children feel part of the discussions and decisions that are made to improve all aspects of school life.
Mr Damion Lewis
Chair of Governors
Parent Governor
I moved to Alconbury in 2014, since then I have had two children, both of which attend Alconbury Primary School. I wanted to contribute to the local community and so I joined the governing body in 2020 as a parent governor.
I am a software product manager for a large technology company, and I work remotely from home, which means I can walk my children to school and easily lend my time talking to staff and parents at the school gate.
Now I am Chair of the governing body I am more involved with the school, supporting the faculty, parents and most importantly, the children who attend our amazing school. I will do upmost to ensure we are providing them an environment where they can feel safe, supported and comfortable so that they can learn and develop new skills, ready for the next step in their education and life.
Mr Mark Cardwell
Parent Governor
Chair of Resources Committee
I live in Alconbury Weston and have a son in reception class. I am looking forward to working alongside other likeminded professionals, from a variety of backgrounds, to achieve the highest educational standards that the children deserve. I aim to utilise the skills, knowledge and passion that I have to ensure the school exceeds its expectations without losing sight of the core values and beliefs, whilst promoting a continual improvement culture to reinforce high standards and better outcomes for children. I have a strong background in implementing and maintaining management systems, in particular health and safety and environmental, of which I am a chartered member in my field, alongside being a key stakeholder in driving a Net Carbon zero target for my company.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with the family, have a passion for sports, particularly football, cooking and singing.
I live in Alconbury Weston and have a son in reception class. I am looking forward to working alongside other likeminded professionals, from a variety of backgrounds, to achieve the highest educational standards that the children deserve. I aim to utilise the skills, knowledge and passion that I have to ensure the school exceeds its expectations without losing sight of the core values and beliefs, whilst promoting a continual improvement culture to reinforce high standards and better outcomes for children. I have a strong background in implementing and maintaining management systems, in particular health and safety and environmental, of which I am a chartered member in my field, alongside being a key stakeholder in driving a Net Carbon zero target for my company.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with the family, have a passion for sports, particularly football, cooking and singing.
Mrs Kim Sewell
Foundation Governor
I moved to Alconbury Weston in 1998 to start a new adventure as a Publican in The White Hart. Prior to this I had been working as a Secondary School Teacher in Lewisham. Over the last twelve years I have been involved in the Children & Youth Work at the Parish Church, and recently was licensed as a Church of England Lay Minister. I am on the Teaching and Learning Committee, and represent the Church in an ‘ex-officio’ role.
Mrs Vanessa Watson
Foundation Governor
Vice Chair of Teaching and Learning Committee
I am in my fifth year as a governor (four as a parent governor and 1 as a foundation governor). As a family we have lived in Alconbury for 17 years, both of my daughters attended the school. I am a Business Systems Manager for a large Chartered Accountancy Practice based in Cambridge. With my skill set I hope my business and software knowledge can be of use to the governing body. I am part of the PCC for our local church, and a contributor to our Sunday Rocks Service. As part of my role as a foundation governor i sit on the teaching and learning committee.
Mr Andrew Shutt
Parent Governor
I have a long-standing connection with Alconbury C of E Primary as a former member student and a resident of the local area for 30 years.
I have experience working in school environments during my work in the construction industry, ensuring minimal disruption to daily operations and have also presented to students about the construction industry and safety around construction sites.
Running my own company with 5 employees has provided me with leadership and financial management skills, which I believe would be valuable in supporting schools governance.
Mr John Greenhalgh
Local Authority Governor
I’ve lived in Huntington since 2001. My two step grandchildren attend the school and having retired in 2023 feel that now is a good time for me to be a co-opted governor.
I am a qualified Chartered Accountant and worked in industry with companies, both large and small, facing financial difficulties. Most of my roles were on an interim basis.
As Treasurer, I was a trustee for a £3m national charity based in Peterborough for nine years. I attended quarterly Board meetings and was expected to ensure that senior management were making good decisions, especially financial ones.
Mrs Lianne Clark
Parent Governor
I became a parent governor shortly after my daughter started reception at Alconbury Primary School to support her journey, and that of her peers, through primary education.
Professionally, as Head of Business Development for a leading Awarding Organisation in the Health and Physical Activity sector, I provide consultation to Further, Higher and Private Education providers to develop curricula that align with industry needs and learner requirements. Since 2023, I’ve been heavily involved in stakeholder engagement to influence the design of qualifications, ensuring suitability and future skills considerations for learners and the workforce, as part of the Technical Education Reforms.
I have experienced first-hand the impact of quality early education on futures and am committed to use my knowledge and experience to support Alconbury Primary in continuing the high standards we see in the community.
Mrs Sam Sadie
Parent Governor
I live in Little Stukeley and have had children enrolled at Alconbury Primary since 2014, with my youngest 2 children still attending the school. I was appointed a School Governor in late-2022.
I am passionate about children being helped to achieve their full potential, whatever that might look like for each individual child. I believe in working collaboratively with staff to ensure that children are given the best chance to succeed. I am particularly interested in SEN provision at the school as all my children have required SEN support. I have worked closely with the previous and current SENCOs (SEN Coordinators) to support parents at the school, and have provided some of the insights that I have gained over the years (both from my professional background as an Occupational Therapist, and as a SEN parent).
I enjoy working collaboratively with the school’s staff and governors, to ensure that the school is able to provide the best possible learning environment for all pupils, whilst ensuring that all statutory obligations are being met. I am committed to playing my part in helping the school’s governing body and senior leadership team meet the challenges faced in the education sector currently – coming up with considered and creative ways to overcome these challenges. I enjoy spending time with my family, baking, crafting and gardening in my spare time.
Mrs Alexandra Anjum
Parent Governor
I am a Parent Governor and joined the school community because of its commitment to nurturing the whole child. I am particularly passionate about supporting children to develop confidence, positive self-esteem, and a strong sense of identity so they are able to thrive both academically and personally.
I bring experience from education, social care, and my current role as a business partner with responsibility for finance, compliance, and health and safety. I have worked closely with children, families, and professionals across a range of settings. As a Parent Governor, I am committed to working collaboratively with the school and advocating for all families, whilst asking thoughtful and appropriate questions to ensure all children are supported and enabled to achieve their full potential