Local Advisory Board

Joanne Ashburn

Position and Responsibilities:

Chair of Governors (Parent Governor)

Brief Biography:

Jo was voted the Chair of Governors in October 2023 and currently has a son at the school. She brings 20 plus years of experience as a children’s sports coach and children’s ski school manager. Working in a variety of resorts in New Zealand and USA, she has returned home to Suffolk. She is passionate about a varied curriculum to motivate learning and plenty of physical activity opportunities.

Louise Turner

Position and Responsibilities:

Clerk to the Governors

Brief Biography:

I am clerk to the governors, having had three children previously educated at Wickham. Prior to moving to the village I was a governor at a school in South Yorkshire for many years. I have experience in youth work, journalism and publishing, and currently I co-run a media company. I’m extremely keen to enhance pupil wellbeing and contribute to positive learning across the academy, with particular attention to reading and e-safety.

Ruth Leigh

Position and Responsibilities:

Vice Chair and Community/Co-Opted Governor

Brief Biography:

I am a freelance writer and author who lives just outside Wickham Market with my husband and three children.  We moved to Suffolk in 2006 and all three children attended Wickham Market Primary School from Nursery through to Year 6.  I am passionate about community and am always trying to find ways to add value.

Mandy Garland

Position and Responsibilities:

Staff Governor

Brief Biography:

As staff Governor I represent the dedicated team of teachers and support staff that work at Wickham Market Primary School. 

I have worked at our school in various roles from Teaching Assistant to my current position as Family Welfare Practitioner since 1998. Prior to this I trained and worked at the Ipswich Hospital as a staff nurse within the Gynaecology unit before leaving when my son was born and thereafter my daughter. 

Working closely with and supporting our families, in addition to my position as subject leader for Relationships, Sex and Health Education enables me to fulfil my commitment to promoting and supporting the emotional and physical wellbeing of each child within our setting.

Carey Cooke

Position and Responsibilities:

Community/Co-Opted Governor

Brief Biography:

We have lived in Suffolk since 1981 moving from Westleton to Wickham Market with our now adult children in 1994. As a retired Secondary School English teacher and member of the school's Reading Army, I have a particular interest in reading.

Barbara Harrington

Position and Responsibilities:

Community/Co-Opted Governor

Brief Biography:

I have worked as a librarian and teacher in Leicestershire and Devon and have been a governor in another authority. I am now retired.

Having recently moved to Wickham Market, I wanted to get involved with the local community, so my first stop was the school. I started as a volunteer reader and was appointed as a governor one year ago.

I really enjoy playing a small part in school, giving back something to the community and working alongside our children and teachers. I am very keen to achieve the best possible education for all our young people.

Tracey Walker

Position and Responsibilities:

Community/Co-Opted Governor

Brief Biography:

Having taught for 37 years, I hope to be able to use my experience in the classroom, as well as my experience managing whole school initiatives, to good effect in an advisory role at Wickham Market Primary School. I have always been interested in how children learn and what is required to enable all children to fulfil their potential. I have worked in SEN departments and have also run programmes for the academically gifted so I understand the need for a school to offer support and encouragement across the ability range so that all children feel confident and empowered to do their best. I have lived in Suffolk for 28 years and raised my son here. Now that I am retired, I want to focus my effort in my local community and it makes sense to volunteer in this capacity.