Meet our Governors

Our Governors

Linda Foster – Chair of Governors

I am a retired Education Improvement Adviser, with experience across all phases of education and prior to that was the Headteacher of a Church of England school. I have been a governor for many years and as a result have a wide range of experience in most areas of school governance, including statutory responsibilities, development of vison and strategic priorities, quality assurance, finance, HR, and special educational needs.

I attend my local church and lead one of the church youth groups.   I was appointed as a Foundation Governor at Woodborough Woods C E Foundation Primary School by the Diocesan Board of Education in January 2021.

I am looking forward to continuing to use my skills and experience to support the school community in Woodborough. My driving ethos is to do the best that I can to ensure that children have the skills and opportunities they need for their future.

Mr Damian Painton

I have lived in Woodborough since 2013 and have two children that attend Woods. My background is in education and I have worked in schools for 20 years, starting out as a science teacher. Currently, I am the Principal of a large secondary school and, prior to this, held a range of senior leadership roles. Having originally been elected as a parent governor, I am now co-opted to the Governing Body and remain committed to ensuring that all the children in our community have the care, learning opportunities and experiences needed to set them up for a lifetime of happiness and success.

Mr Duncan White

I am the Executive Headteacher at Woods Foundation Primary School. Here at Woods we are extremely proud of the education we offer. Our children and community deserve the very best and that is what our Governing Body strives for.

Since September 2022 both our school and Holly Primary School have been working very closely together to achieve this goal.

Mark Aske

I am excited to be a member of the governing body. My career has been in primary education as a teacher, headteacher and education adviser which means that I am very familiar with the education system and how schools operate. I am now semi-retired and endeavour to be an active governor who supports the work of the whole school team at Woodborough Woods.
Away from work I have two grown up children, have a season ticket at Nottingham Forest   and enjoy the cricket at Trent Bridge. I am also trying to reduce my handicap on the golf course!

Mrs Sam Dennis

I am is the Deputy Diocesan Director of Education for Southwell and Nottingham. I support Church of England Schools and Academies across Nottingham City and Nottinghamshire.  Working with both primary and secondary partners I provide support in all areas such as leadership, school improvement, safeguarding, governance and Christian distinctiveness.  Previously I was the headteacher of a VC school in North Warwickshire. I have also worked in Church of England Schools, and the ethos and culture in these schools is something she feels privileged to be able to promote.
I have been involved in school governance for about 20 years, and have been the Chair of Trustees for a small trust local to home – I remain a Member of this trust.  I am currently a governor at a Church Academy in Newark which is needing rapid improvement.  My role involves a substantial amount of governor support and includes an induction programme for foundation governors to Southwell & Nottingham Church of England Schools.
I am ordained priest in the Diocese of Derby and is currently serving her curacy in the parish of Sawley.

Ashley Mcllwaine

I have been part of the team at Wood’s Foundation C of E Primary School since September 2022. I am currently the Deputy Headteacher and SENCo. I am excited to be part of the Governing Body and to have the opportunity to help shape and continue to strengthen our school and community.
I have a degree in History from Ulster University and studied my PGCE at Durham University. I taught in County Durham for two years before moving to the East Midlands and continued my teaching at Holly Primary School in Mansfield for 4 years. Outside of school, I enjoy walking my fox red labrador, Muller, and running.

Laura Mackin

I live in Oxton and together with my husband and two children, worship in the Benefice Churches of Woodborough, Oxton, Epperstone and Gonalston. My eldest child attends Woodborough Woods and we chose the school based on its Christian values. I see the school as being an integral part of the local community, where children have the opportunity to thrive.

I am a practicing solicitor and my work involves problem solving, critical thinking, coaching and dealing with complex laws and procedures. I also have experience working within a young persons organisation in the voluntary sector. I want to use my skills to support the school and to give the children the very best learning experience.

 

Alex Wilkes