Sally Lindsay-German

Chair of Governors and Governor responsible for safeguarding and Chair of the Resource Committee

I became a parent governor in 2013 whilst my eldest son was attending the Nursery School. I was so impressed by the support Wentworth gave him socially and educationally I wanted to become more involved. I feel privileged to support the incredible work Wentworth does with the under-fives, both in the Nursery School and at the Children’s Centre.

I have lived in Hackney since 1997 but I believe that my role at Wentworth has taught me more about my community than I had learnt in all the previous years.

Heather Charles

Community Governor

I became a community governor in 2006. I have lived in Hackney E9 since I was 19 years old and now have seven children, the youngest is 9. I have been a GP at Elsdale Street Surgery for nearly 25 years and have seen many children flourish as a result of Wentworth; it’s a real privilege to be involved with the outstanding provision of both the nursery school and children’s centre.

Damien Hanns

Parent Governor

I never liked school. I thought that tedium, drudgery and being ignored by people who hate their job was just part of the school experience and I found this to be true for many years. I am glad however to be finally proven wrong. At Wentworth the teaching methods, staff, environment and atmosphere provide the children with a comfortable positive space for personal and academic development. This space seems to have been designed by people that care and it is that care that so inspired me to become a governor.”

Hannah Gregory

Parent Governor

I became a parent-governor in May 2017 shortly after my youngest son started at Wentworth. For me, Wentworth is a beacon of educational excellence where staff are both inspired by and provide inspiration to the children who come through the door. The commitment to every child, and to the wider community, is at the heart of Wentworth’s ethos. This is what inspired me to become a parent-governor. I see my role as providing supportive challenge to the school and nursery centre so that it continues to go from strength to strength. I greatly enjoy visiting the school to see children learning through play and in engaging with the school’s development through the various governing committees and through other activities, such as the recent Beep Beep Day.

Larissa Pople

Vice chair of Governors & Chair of the Curriculum Committee

I am a co-opted governor and a mother of two children, both of whom went to the nursery school. I put myself forward for this role because I wanted to help Wentworth Nursery and Children’s Centre continue to be the friendly, child centred place that it is, and to have the highest possible expectations for children’s learning and development.

In my professional life, I am studying for a PhD while also working for a children’s charity as a researcher into children’s well-being and experiences of poverty. I also work in a voluntary capacity as a family support worker and a youth mentor.

Katrin Karlsdottir

I joined Wentworth Nursery School and Children’s Centre in 2008 as the Community Services Manager, based at Granard House. Wentworth is an energetic and a cheerful workplace upholding high educational standards and values. The Children’s Centre has become firmly established in the community, with more children attending and subsequently moving on to the nursery.

Jen Pearcy-Edwards

Parent Governor

I often say to anyone who asks that I believe Wentworth is probably the best nursery school in London – it is a nurturing, caring environment that fosters independence, inspires creativity and sets children up to succeed when they transition into primary school. Wentworth constantly strives to improve (including its inclusion of a forest school approach) and to champion and celebrate the diverse families they serve in Hackney.

My background is in theatre, film and arts education. My work has taken on many forms – I have experience as a performer, puppeteer, director, editor, producer and workshop facilitator. I have three children, and the middle one is preparing to leave Wentworth to begin primary school. ​

Gemma Robinson

The reasoning behind my wanting to become a parent governor of Wentworth Nursery School and Children’s Centre is that I have seen – first-hand with my son – just how much thought, effort and attention to detail the Wentworth team put into ensuring that the children in their care develop and enjoy their learning experiences on a daily basis. This made me feel obligated to help support them to continue to achieve this level of excellence both for the children and also to do all that I can to try to give back to the invaluable group of people who make up the staff of both the school and the children’s centre. Working on the belief that it takes a village to raise a child; I am extremely honored to be a part of the Wentworth village.

Governing Body Attendance and Business Interests – 2019/20