Governors

September 2022

Governor Profiles

Sloane Bartlett - Chair of Governors

I am really pleased to be a Governor at the school. My two daughters attended Upton and during my 10 years with the school, I have seen fundamental changes - not only to the school environment but also to the teaching methodologies and I can see how positively these developments have benefitted the children.

I see the role of the Governors as one that holds those looking after the education of your children to account - to ensure that each child gets the best education possible.

I have always been keen to contribute to the school community and believe that my professional experience and willingness to support the school will be beneficial.  I am a Chartered Internal Auditor working in a not-for-profit organisation and have previous experience of financial and management accounting in a variety of sectors.

Chris Wilson – Vice Chair of Governors

I was delighted to join the Governing Board in 2018 as a Parent Governor, following 6 years of close association with the school through my role as Treasurer for the Parents Association, and through some Corporate Fundraising via my employer.

My eldest daughter ‘graduated’ from Upton in July 2018, but I still have 2 boys at the school, currently in years 2 & 5. This is why it is really important to me that as a Governing Board we are giving the right amount of support and challenge where appropriate,  to ensure that that in conjunction with the School Leadership Team, we are continually providing a safe, engaging and enjoyable environment for the children of the school to grow and learn within.

I work for a high street bank, and being based locally it provides me with plenty of opportunities to visit the school, which I find extremely rewarding, and always provides the validation as to why it’s important for us as Governors to donate our time.  

Jane Mawer - Co-opted Governor

I was delighted to be voted as Parent Governor in January 2013. As the parent of two children who both attended Upton, and as former Chair of the Parents’ Association, I have been directly involved in the school for many years. I have been directly involved in the school for many years. I work part-time, so am often available at the school and can dedicate time to helping in many ways. Having recently served as Vice-Chair of the Governing body, I now support the school in a non-leading role. As governors, we all aim to make a significant contribution to our school’s continuing development and I look forward to carrying on this rewarding work.

David Seagroatt – Co-opted Governor

A father of three children, all of whom attended Upton Primary School, I am aware how important it is to provide a happy and productive educational environment for them. As an elected Parent Governor I strive to meet the challenges of this role and hope that my practical and business knowledge coupled with my experience provide a positive contribution to the School’s Governing Body. 

I am always keen to play an active role in supporting the School’s many activities and try to help with the development and progression of the school for the benefit of our children at this very important stage of their lives.

Trevor Kensit - Parent Governor

I was very pleased to be able to join the governing body of Upton, just as my two children begin their Upton journey where they are just about to transition from Early Years to Year One. 

I wanted to become a governor at Upton, not only to have a positive impact for my own children, but also to try and add benefit to the local community that we all live in and our children will grow up in.

Wherever possible I will look to utilise my experience and knowledge to help deal with the challenges the school faces, but also to ensure that it remains the outstanding hub of our community we know it to be.

Rev Trevor Wyatt – Co-opted Governor

For over two years I have been Vicar of Christ Church Bexleyheath – a large, busy Parish Church along Bexleyheath Broadway.  Prior to taking this role in the Church, I spent 33 years working in British Telecom where my last job was Director of Voice Engineering where I led a large team of Professional Engineers who designed and built BTs Voice networks round the world. I am also a musician and a proficient pianist, organist and keyboard player. Of recent times I completed a Masters Degree in Ethics, and this is a particular personal interest of mine. I bring to the schools Leadership skills, recent understanding of HR Policies in Employment and Performance Management, Financial Management and Project Management.  For the last year I have been involved as a governor Upton School, and it is a school very close to my heart as I went to the school when I was a boy. In addition to being a governor I also take regular school assemblies at the school as Vicar of Christ Church. I try hard to work collaboratively and effectively with other Governors and members of the Senior team to ensure that we achieve the flourishing of the school.

Stuart Husbands – Co-opted Governor

After graduating from University six years ago, I have been fortunate enough to work in a range of schools that have provided me with a great skill set and helped me to develop a huge passion for teaching. When the opportunity in late 2015 came up to work at Upton, I jumped at the chance. As I joined Upton, the school was in a huge transitional period of change and I wanted to bring my specific skills to the community to help guide it on the incredible transition it has undertaken to become outstanding.

Throughout my time working at different previous schools, I have served on the governing body as a staff governor. I have found this to be an important role as it has allowed me to represent the staff's voice amongst the governors and share their views and opinions when making important decisions for the future of the school. The skills I have learned as a governor have helped me to gain an insight into what goes on behind the scenes of running a school and making decisions that will create a positive and powerful impact for all children.

At a time, when the face of education is rapidly changing, it is important for a strong team of governors to continue to support and challenge the school in our work to continue the amazing successes we have had so far. I am incredibly proud to work at Upton and to take up the role of a governor once again. 

Louise Redfern - Parent Governor

I am thrilled to have been elected parent governor at our school. I have two sons attending Upton, and I am really looking forward to seeing what the next few years will bring, not only for them but for every pupil in the school. We are relatively new to the school but already feel so welcome, which is why I was so keen to be involved. 

I really look forward to working closely with the school leadership team, supporting and challenging when appropriate to ensure an exceptional education is provided to every child in the school regardless of ability, background, disability, or Special Educational Need. I am excited to help shape the policies which will allow us to grow and develop as a school.   

I work part-time for the central government so have the time and enthusiasm to commit to the role, whilst also providing my insight and experience gained through 13 years of policy, training, human resources and legal compliance roles.  

Hayley Thompson - Parent Governor

It has been an absolute honour to be elected Parent Governor at the School.  Having 2 children at Upton (Years 5 & 2) I have been part of the school community for the past 6 years.  I have often helped at PA events and it’s been a pleasure to see how the school has grown and developed over the last 6 years, especially through the difficult times during the pandemic. 

My promise as a governor is to have all pupils’ best interests at heart and I look forward to working with the board and the school to make sure that this is always adhered to. 

I work part-time for one of the big 4 Auditors, so have the time to dedicate to the role as well as bringing skills from my career to the board.

Living locally and being part of the school community makes the success and welfare of the school very important to me.  I look forward to joining the board and carrying on the good work of the school.