Meet the Governors

Pen Portraits

Paul Stewart 
“Paul Stewart has been a Governor of Willow Wood Primary School for nearly 30 years and since 2013 our chair of Governors. Spending most of his career working for Local Government, Paul was a support officer for 12 years dealing primarily with school finances, before changing direction to become a Human Resources Business Partner. He brings with him extensive knowledge of employment law and initiating successful change management within organisations.
As a local Councillor he was previously Chair of the Port of Sunderland and the Portfolio Holder for Education. Most recently, he led the council move to become a “Co-operative Council” with the aim of promoting a closer working relationship with other local not-for-profit stakeholders. He is currently Chair of Bishopwearmouth Co-operative Nursery and a member of the Board of Gentoo.”

Zoe Hepplewhite

My name is Zoe Hepplewhite and I have been a co-opted Governor at Willow Wood Primary School since 2015.  At present I am on the School Improvement Committee and link Governor for Maths.  I have worked in the Further Education sector for almost 20 years delivering various ICT, maths and English courses in the community as well as being a NVQ assessor for Business Admin.  Prior to this I worked for Sunderland City Council.  I look forward to working with the Head teacher and staff to continue moving the School forward.

Iain Kay

Iain Kay has been a Governor in Sunderland since 1986 across 10 schools in the city – primary, secondary and special. He was invited to join the governing body here in November 2018.

Between 1987 and 2012 he was involved a regional Education Business Partnership that assisted schools to make better links with industry and the world of work.

He has managed his own consultancy businesses since 1995 and is involved in areas such as supporting small business development, improving child mental health, working with homeless individual and those recovering from drug and alcohol misuse as well as supporting community and voluntary groups across the region.

Megan Thompson

My name is Megan and I have recently been elected as a parent governor. This is the first time I have been a governor and I am looking forward to the challenge!

I have a keen interest in education and I am a qualified primary school teacher, with my main interest being within Early Years education and more specifically in Special Educational Needs. I have worked within Early Years settings prior to completing my degree, however, I have spent the last few years working for charities supporting vulnerable people within the community struggling with drug and alcohol issue and, more recently, domestic abuse. I feel my time spent in these roles has provided me with a good understanding of the problems faced by some families and the impact this can have on their children’s education. I hope to use some of this knowledge within my role as parent governor.

Alison Smith

I am proud to be the elected Councillor for Redhill Ward in Sunderland North. I am married to David and we have four adult children and seven grandchildren. I was born and bred in Sunderland completing my education at Sunderland Polytechnic (now Sunderland University). I started my working life as a Home Economics Advisor and then went on to spend more than 20 years as an HR Officer with Sunderland City Council. For a number of years I was a registered Foster Carer and childminder for Sunderland City Council. I have been a volunteer in the youth sector in Sunderland, for over 30 years, with Girlguiding UK. I’ve also been involved with community groups such as playgroups, local schools and community coffee mornings. I am currently a member of the Friends of Bunnyhill; the Downhill Community Garden and Pond and a Trustee of The Parker Trust, a local charity which helps young people and their families.

Susan Peverall

My name is Susan Peverall and I have recently been elected as a parent governor for the first time. Although I am a qualified nursery nurse, which I worked as for 4 years, I ended up following a career in the police for 16 years where I delivered transition talks and managed community issues. I enjoyed working in the police; helping with local issues and supporting our community. I now work as a security officer for a college, again safeguarding and working within education. I look forward to supporting the school as a parent governor and working with the staff and headteacher. 

Emma Little

I am delighted to have recently been appointed as a Co-opted Governor at Willow Wood Community Primary School. I am a Senior Lecturer in Primary Initial Teacher Training at the University of Sunderland, and I have worked in education since 2001 across a range of Primary schools and FE colleges throughout the North-East. I am particularly passionate about Early Years education and supporting high quality provision for our youngest learners.

I was born and raised in a village near the school and have a strong understanding of the challenges faced by families and children within the local community. This local knowledge, combined with my teaching experience, underpins my commitment to supporting the school, its staff, and its families.

Alongside my current role, I also serve as Chair of a Trustee Board within Scouting, where I support leadership, governance, and youth development.

I am proud to contribute to the governing body at Willow Wood Community Primary School and look forward to supporting the school, staff and families.

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