Sarah Powell – Chair
I have been a Governor at Greenleas since 2014. I was the Vice-Chair for a number of years, and was elected as Chair in September 2020. I have three children, and my eldest was part of the original Reception intake at the Kestrel Way site. I sit on both the Resources and Quality of Education committees and I am one of the link Governors for English and Maths. Coming from a family of teachers, I have a keen interest in all aspects of education. In my role as Chair I work closely with Mrs Clarke to support the School.
I work full time as a Defence Solicitor in Buckinghamshire and am also a visiting lecturer for the University of Law. In my spare time I enjoy yoga, reading, going to the theatre, spending time with family and bingeing on TV box sets and Superhero movies. I love all things chocolate and look forward to taking coastal holidays in North Cornwall and North Yorkshire as often as possible.
Laura Pocock – Vice-Chair
I have been a Governor at Greenleas since 2019, sitting on the resourcing committee and full governing board. This year I was elected as Vice-Chair as well as chairing our resources committee. I have got 2 children who both attend Greenleas, Kestrel Way, one in Reception and one in Year 3. My dad was a governor at my school as I grew up, and I’ve always been keen on doing something broader with my skills outside of work as well as having an interest in education and enabling children to have a strong foundation start in life.
I am a HR Director at BT, supporting a number of units in our business division as well as leading our resourcing team. I started there as an apprentice in 2008 after leaving school and have had many roles both within the operations and in HR. My role is demanding, so outside of work, spending time with my family is key. We love long walks with our dogs, holidays in the sun and paddle boarding when the weather allows. Aside of that, exercise has helped keen me sane, I love a good TV box set and shopping (especially online) is my not so good habit!
Olivia Davies – Co-opted Governor
I joined as a Governor in February 2020, so a lot of what I have done so far has been virtual! I have two children at Derwent Road, a son in reception and daughter in year 3. When my daughter started school I felt I wanted to be a part of her primary school journey and help to support this, so I was keen to join the board when a position arose. I sit on both the resources committee and quality of education committee. I am link governor for modern foreign languages and music.
My passion for the spa and beauty industry has given me a career in something that I enjoy outside of work too. I started my career at Champneys as a young therapist and got to treat lots of celebrity clients. During this time I found a love for teaching, managing the training there and supporting this with a qualification in adult education. I went on to work in various industry based teaching roles and then eventually to run the Sanctuary spa in Covent Garden as General Manager. When the spa closed I considered how I could continue working in the industry I love whilst finding time for my family and I decided to set up my own business, offering beauty and holistic treatments, which is now in it’s 6th year. I believe we are always learning and I take on a new treatment each year to strengthen my knowledge and keep growing.
My family is what is most important to me and we love time outdoors, watching movies and holidays together. Exercise keeps me sane and I exercise daily before the children are out of bed as that’s the quietest time of the day! I love reading, running, cooking and time with friends too.
Amanda Wallace – Co-opted Governor
Hi my name is Amanda and I have been a governor since 2018. I started as a staff governor as I wanted to learn more about the running of the school and also promote the EYFS area of the school. I am currently the safeguarding governor, which I share with Emily Wilding and is an area I am very passionate about. I am the pre-school manager at our Kestrel Way site and the Extended Services Manager in my day job outside of being a governor. I have worked in this area for approximately 18 years now across different settings and seen many changes in early years over this time. I love working with families at the very beginning of their educational journey and supporting them as they encourage their child in those first steps of independence.
SEND is my area of speciality within education and I am also very passionate about this. Ensuring all children have the ability to embark on an educational journey that allows them to flourish into the very best version of themselves if extremely important to me.
Outside of work I am married with two grown up children. My daughter is currently a TA at our Derwent Road site and looking to do her teacher training. My son is a trainee HGV mechanic. We spend our free time wakeboarding and camping at our local ski club. A fun fact about me is that I was a bus and coach driver before I started in Education. Lots of day trips to the seaside and a singsong on the bus!
Dorothy Smith – Co-opted Governor
I was the Finance Manager at Greenleas School for 17 years before retiring in April 2024. I became a governor to contribute to the wellbeing of pupils and staff and to support the school in its decision making. As a former parent I wanted to give something back to the school that had given my children such a good start to their education. My role as a Governor is to support the Head Teacher and to oversee the management side of a school: strategy, policy, budgeting and staffing. As a qualified accountant I have a depth of financial knowledge that is useful to this role.
On a personal level, I am now semi-retired, working 2 days a week for an interior design company. I am a member of the Guiding community and was a Brownie leader for several years. I enjoy reading, walking, cooking, many sports including badminton, socialising and travelling. I have recently learnt to crochet.
Emily Wilding – Co-opted Governor
I’ve been a Governor at Greenleas for just over a decade, I joined as parent governor when my eldest was in Y1 and have stayed on since then in various roles as Vice-Chair, Chair and now as a Co-opted Governor. During their time at Greenleas both my sons were encouraged and challenged to reach their full potential and I hope to continue to support Greenleas in providing future generations with the very best all round educational experience.
I am the Safeguarding Governor, a link Governors for English and Maths and Chair of the Quality of Education committee.
Lewis Wright – Co-opted Governor
I would like to take this opportunity to introduce a little bit about myself. I have been living in Leighton Buzzard (Sandhills) for approximately 8 years having moved from the London Borough of Hillingdon where I grew up and went to school.
I have a 4-year-old son who will be going to school in September 2021 and an 11-year-old stepson at middle school in Leighton Buzzard. I work in Corporate Security for a global retail organisation where I have been for 16 years in various roles.
I am an avid football fan, golfer and general sports enthusiast, but I am equally content to sit at home on the sofa and watch TV.
I became a governor at Greenleas in 2020 because I was interested in the role of a governor and how they support the school and community to help children make a successful start in life through education. I sit on the both the Resources and Quality of Education committees and am a link governor for Religious Education and Inclusion.
Sanchia Davidson - Co-opted Governor
I have been appointed as a Greenleas governor in 2021. I am a qualified secondary teacher and have worked in Linslade for over 12 years, being a Head of Music and curriculum lead during that time. I am a mother of three young children, and hold a Masters level in Education.
I have a vested interest in Leighton Buzzard and Linslade, I know it to be one of the best communities and feel very fortunate to be part of it. My particular passions are for music, media, children's literature, and sustainability, social and cultural education. There is so much outside the school walls for these young people and I believe the community can help bring that to a school.
I am also a member of Wing and Ivinghoe Community board in Buckinghamshire, and am hoping to collaborate ideas and share projects across the borders.
Sarah Ryan - Parent Governor
My name is Sarah Ryan, and I have joined the board as parent governor from May 2021. I am a mother of two boys in year one and year four at Greenleas Kestrel Way. I have lived in the local community since 2010 and loved my time as a Greenleas parent, particularly volunteering to read with the children and watching the Christmas plays in the time before covid!
I am passionate about the emotional wellbeing of our children and helping them to be happy, confident and true to themselves. I work as a certified coach and consultant in Sales & Management, and I am looking forward to using these skills to support the Board with their strategic vision and the action steps required to get there.
Outside of work, I love to go camping with friends and enjoy painting and watching movies, especially Marvel.
Laura Stevens - Co-opted Governor
I am a mum of two boys that currently both attend Greenleas School. I come from a Childcare and Education profession. I have been in childcare since I was 17 years old. I wanted to join the Governing board to use my knowledge and help support the school. I am hoping to make a difference to my children's future and school experience.
As a family we enjoy travelling, holidays and trips to the beach as the boys love to surf. I enjoy shopping and spending time with my very large family!
James Emm - Local Authority Governor
I joined the Governing board in September 2023. I work from home and navigate both a full time job and childcare. I have a long history working in the service sector, starting in retail before moving into supply chain services then eventually moving to IT procurement where I currently work for a major international logistic company.
In May 2023 I was elected to Leighton-Linslade Town Council where I chair the Grounds and Environmental committee. I want to help people and enjoy serving our community, so when I was asked to join the Governing board at Greenleas School I jumped at the chance.
When I was young I was diagnosed with dyslexia and struggled at school, so I know first hand how hard it can be for those with additional needs. I want to do my best to ensure children are given all the support, encouragement and confidence they require to succeed. I want to help Greenleas be the best it can for it's pupils and the community.
A s a parent I am very familiar with both Greenleas locations. My stepson attended Kestrel Way until he moved to middle school and I have a son who currently attends EY at Derwent Road. Outside work I am a keen history buff and environmentalist. I enjoy gardening, family time, long walks and nature. I am also a lifelong Crystal Palace fan and enjoy going to MK ice hockey games when I get the spare time.
Alyson Le Francois-Allen - Parent Governor
My name is Alyson and I joined the board as a parent governor in May 2023. I am married and a mother of two girls. My oldest daughter joined Greenleas Kestrel Way in Nursery shortly after we moved to the local community in 2021.
I am truly passionate about education and during my 20 years of service (so far) from Primary to Sixth Form teaching, I have had opportunities to experience various aspects of the teaching profession both pastorally and academically. I currently work in a large secondary school as a Head of Department where I teach languages.
Outside work, I love reading, skiing, travelling around the world with my family but also learning new languages and skills (BSL and touch typing being my latest things!). I am looking forward to the opportunity to play a part in the continued success and future development of the school as a representative parent, for the benefit of all the children who are lucky enough to attend Greenleas School now or in the future.