Governors

Our Chair of Governors can be contacted via the School Office, or a letter posted to the School's address.

Below is the full Governing Board.  The list shows the route by which each person was appointed as a Governor (the Type of Governor) and the particular links and responsibilities held by each. Below the list are some brief details and a photograph of each Governor.

Advice and Requirements for the Governing Board:

Governor List

Chair of Governors- Martin Penny - Trust governor 

Vice Chair Of Governors- Jeremy steely - Parent Governor 

Jen Hart- Trust Governor 

Helen Alder- Co-Opted Governor 

Alex Jones- Parent Governor

Holly Eggleston - Parent Governor

Joanna Lea - Trust Governor

Head Teacher - Chelsea Atkins

Deputy Head Teacher- Venita Banks- Associate Governor

Teacher governor- Stephanie Cawsey

Martin Penny

Chair of Governors

I have extensive experience in people, project, programme and business management coupled with many years of assisting organisations of many shapes and sizes to grow and flourish. I worked for Unisys for 27 years in a variety of roles before returning to my first love and have been working as a freelance organist and choral director since 2002. Mary, my wife and I moved to North Herts in 1982 and have been running a successful music tuition business here ever since. Like many others, I commute South to work, in my case as Director of music and Parish Administrator of All Saints' Church, Hertford. I was delighted to be approached to become a governor at Wilbury and to be able to join with and contribute to a team committed to working with everyone to grow the school, encourage its staff and support parents in doing the best for all children.

chair persons email: mpenny@wilbury.herts.sch.uk

Jen Hart

I am Jen Hart , I am a retired Assistant Headteacher with a great interest in curriculum, particularly Science, English and Design Technology. 

Chelsea Atkins

I am Chelsea Atkins, I am the Head Teacher at Wilbury and have been since April 2019. I was a Head teacher for over 8 years in Stevenage and moved because I wanted a new challenge. I love being at Wilbury and think its a great place to work. I am passionate about lifelong learning and learning something new everyday no matter how old we are. 

Venita Banks 

I'm Venita Banks and I'm the Deputy Head at Wilbury. I have been at Wilbury since May 2019 having moved from a school in Stevenage where I taught for 15 years. I have really enjoyed this first year working with the fantastic staff and children here at the school and supporting them on the schools exciting journey.

Stephanie Cawsey 

Hi I am Steph Cawsey and I am a Year 3 teacher at Wilbury. I have been at the school now since September 2014 and started as an NQT here. I really enjoy working at the school, working with all of the staff and the children. It has been amazing to see how much the school has changed during the time that I have been here and I look forward to continuing on this journey.

Helen Alder

I qualified as a solicitor in 2012 within a Law Centre specialising in family law, housing law and welfare benefits. I now work as a lawyer for the government and I’m currently based in HMRC. My husband and I moved from London to Letchworth in 2017, keen to become part of the community. We very much enjoy exploring all of the green space that Letchworth offers and spending time with our neighbours and friends. We also benefit from easier access to family in the North West. We have a young daughter and my intention is that when old enough, she will attend Wilbury Junior School. My hope is that by coming from a family of teachers and having a perspective outside of education, I can understand the issues faced by schools and offer a different view and constructive challenge to help the school and all pupils to flourish.

Sophie Bottazzi

Hi I am Sophie Bottazzi. I have a BA hons degree in Events Management, and I am a currently a Year 3 TA and hoping to train as a teacher at Wilbury Junior School. From working at the school and being a fellow student, I am extremely passionate and excited to be a part of the school's journey and looking forward to growing and continuing my experience here.

Alex Jones

I have lived in Letchworth all my life, and in the Wilbury area for the last 13 years.  I have two daughters –  my youngest in Year 1 at Icknield Infant’s School, and my eldest in Year 4 in Wilbury Junior School.  I have worked as a project officer and data analyst in school improvement for the last 12 years, first at Hertfordshire County Council and now in Herts for Learning Ltd.  My role gives me a good understanding of the education sector generally and in school performance data and monitoring for impact.  For the last 18 months I have also been developing my understanding of the governance role as a clerk for governors in a number of Hertfordshire schools.  I believe very strongly in the importance of providing an education which supports our children to become confident and independent learners and which gives them the tools they need to continue to flourish in Secondary education and beyond.  I hope to make a positive contribution to the school and play an active role in supporting the new leadership team to drive improvements across the school.

Joanna Lea

I'm Jo Lea and a Parent of a child at Wilbury.  I am a social researcher with most of my experience focused on research with children and young people.  I currently work in the sport and physical activity sector supporting everyone to be active.  I strongly believe in providing a child centred education that encourages all children to have a love of learning.  I want my children to feel happy and confident at school and to become independent and curious learners for life!

Holly Eggleston

I have lived in Letchworth for nearly 6 years after a decade in London. I worked in Fundraising and Marketing for charities for 15 years. I have three children, one in reception at Icknield and one year old twins and my intention is that all of them will attend Wilbury when they are old enough. I am passionate about education and learning and I’m excited to be part of the school's journey