Governor Biographies
David Shaw (Chair)
I have lived in Winslow for over 30 years and both my children attended the school. I was appointed as a governor in 2017.
I have been involved in education throughout my life. I started my career teaching mainly physics for 8 years in Bucks and Northants at both grammar and comprehensive schools during which time I held both pastoral and head of department responsibilities.
The rest of my working life was spent working in local government education and children’s services departments. At Bucks County Council I held a wide range of senior education posts which included managing a range of school facing services e.g. governor support, finance and HR support, management information and school place planning.
I am now happy to provide whatever support I can to the school in its role at the centre of our community.
Samantha Dimbleby (Headteacher)
I have been Headteacher of Winslow Church of England School since September 2022 having moved from S Mary’s CE School where I was Deputy Headteacher. Prior to this, I taught in schools in Harrow and Buckinghamshire were I was an Assistant Headteacher. I am delighted to be part of the Winslow team and sense a clear match between my strengths and skills, and the opportunities for service within the school. Winslow is a caring and inspiring learning community with high aspirations for all its children. We have a fantastic staff team; supportive parents; and a committed Governing Board, who do a great job of supporting the school and making sure that we do the best that we can for all of our children. I feel immensely proud and privileged to be able to lead and manage such a lovely school.
George Hooper
I have lived in Winslow for over 25 years, and am married with two grown sons. I have been a Churchwarden at St Laurence Church in the town since 2020, and as I have recently retired, I wanted to take the opportunity to do a bit more in my community. I am very pleased to be able to be part of the Governors team, as a Foundation Governor and as RE Governor Lead - I think Winslow is a wonderful town, and the school is such a central part of that community, so I hope to be able to help in a small way. After a career in logistics and consultancy, I hope to bring my business skills to assist the Headteacher and her team in their development of the school.
Sarah Kingham
I am a co-opted governor at Winslow CE School. Both of my children went to Winslow albeit several years ago, but I have enjoyed keeping up my links with the school and seeing how their vision has developed and strengthened over the years. Having lived in Winslow for over 18 years I am very proud to be part of the town and school communities. I am a teacher in a local Special School and have a real interest in the way children with additional needs are supported in mainstream schools; I am the SEN governor and also have a strong interest in the financial responsibilities having worked previously in school finance.
I joined the governing Board as I felt it important to support the work of the school and that it was time to offer something back to a community that my family have been part of for several years.
Victoria Eele
I have lived in Winslow from the age of three apart from a very brief spell in Gloucestershire. I attended Winslow School from Reception under the Headteacher Mrs Black, so I know the school very well, as well as the local community.
My two eldest children have both attended the school and I have a young son who will also be joining the school as soon as he is old enough.
I was a committee member of FOWS for many years. During that time I organised Christmas and Summer Fetes and other fundraising events to help raise the much-needed support for the school.
My day-to-day job is working as a Volunteer Coordinator for a local charity called Enrych Buckinghamshire which supports adults with physical disabilities to engage and achieve their personal and social goals.
Tabitha Nyambuya
I am a co-opted governor at winslow CE School. I wanted to join the governing body as this was a good opportunity to give back to the community and work within an organisation that will have a big influence on children and their future. We are here to support the school in giving the children the confidence to go out and achieve their goals.
My career in human resources will hopefully mean I can use my skills and knowledge to support the Headteacher and her team in achieving their vision for the school.
Corey McConnell
I first moved to the UK from Ireland in August 2015 where I began my teaching career in Luton. After spending 2 years there, I made the decision to move to Qatar where I worked in British Academies for 2 more years before returning once more to the UK to start a family.
I first moved to Winslow in November 2022 and soon followed this up by joining the Year 6 team here in Winslow CoE the following September. My daughter currently attends Rainbows and will soon be starting in EYFS.
I decided to take on the role of Staff Governor in order to see the workings of the school behind the scenes, and do my best to assist in its exciting future, in any way I can.
Tim Aldridge
I have lived in Winslow with my wife Zoe and our two children since November 2020. Our son is now in Year 1 and our daughter will join Rainbows in 2025.
I am a qualified mathematics teacher and spent two years teaching in a secondary school before moving into financial services in 2015. I now work as a corporate tax advisor for a large accountancy firm.
A good education opens doors for young people and sadly closes them for those who don’t. For this reason, I have always had a strong interest in what schools can do to improve attainment for children from lower socio-economic backgrounds.
At home, I love spending time with the family in and around Winslow: visiting the play areas; cycling along route 51; picking Horwood cherries; and visiting the Farm Deli. On the rare occasions I have time to myself, I enjoy hiking in the mountains, telling anyone who will listen that I “used to run these routes before the kids came along”!
George Cook
I was born and raised in Bucks and, apart from a very short period away, have lived in the county all my life. We moved to the North of the county a decade ago, and our children have likewise been brought up and educated in the local area. My son has just started in Year 7 at STFS, and my daughter Lizzie has just started Year 4 at Winslow.
I have always been interested in the how organisations are run, and in particular the area of education, so the opportunity to become a governor is one that really appealed to me. It is an opportunity to help shape the future of the school and the lives of its pupils, and I hope that my experience and skills from the world of business and technology can be put to good use. Additionally, both of my children have various SEN requirements, so I am very interested to see the detail of how the school’s approach to that is decided and implemented; I hope to be able to provide some useful input there as well.
I’m really looking forward to getting involved and helping to continue the amazing work that the school is already doing.
Paul Cresswell
I am honoured and delighted to have been appointed as a Foundation Governor of Winslow CE School. I live in the centre of the town and have been heavily involved in the community life of Winslow and its surrounding villages for more than 25 years - as Church Warden at St Mary’s in Padbury, Treasurer at St Laurence Church, member and past President of Winslow Rotary and as a Trustee of Autism Early Support. After a long career in local government, in management consultancy and as founder of two start-up businesses, I hope to be able to contribute in some small way to helping make this excellent school even better!
Elise Craig
I moved to the UK over 30 years ago, married and raised two boys, both of which attended Winslow School. My journey in education began when I started working at one of the local nurseries when my children were nursery age. I then worked in a local Special Needs school where I was encouraged and supported to train to be a teacher with support and a mentor at Winslow School. I have been teaching primary for 15 years, with a passion for Early Years. I feel a child's primary education is the foundation for their attitude towards learning for the rest of their life. I am honoured to be able to have the opportunity to give back and be part of a governing team ensuring Winslow C of E School gives the children a love for learning and the best possible start to their educational journey.