Governance

During a public sector career spanning over 30 years, Jane held a variety of substantive senior executive and operational posts within the NHS, Department of Health and Higher Education. Operating at board level, Jane was responsible for the delivery of complex high-profile infrastructure projects and major business change programmes.Since retiring from full-time employment, Jane has spent the last 15 years running her own independent management consultancy. Over this period, she became an accredited government assurance reviewer working through the Cabinet Office and HM Treasury. In this role, Jane led over 50 major reviews of high-risk/high-cost programmes within a range of government departments across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Before moving to Wadhurst in 2015, Jane lived in Suffolk where she was Chair of Governors at the local primary school. During this time, with the support of parents and governors, she oversaw the school’s voluntary and successful transition to academy status.

She now spends her time on voluntary activities within the local community, working with Carillon Cottage, the Commemoration Hall and Wadhurst u3a. Jane enjoys life with her young grandchildren and is also an enthusiastic member of Uplands Sports Centre.

Hannah MacDonald lives and works near Wadhurst. She has spent nearly three decades working in book publishing and founded her own company called September Publishing in 2014. She has also written and published two novels. She was a Local Authority Governor at an Outstanding Primary School before joining the Uplands Governing Body in 2019 where her son was a pupil. Hannah was appointed as a community member of the newly formed Uplands Academy Local Governing Committee in September 2022.

Pamela Lock (LLB, MA, PGCHE, SFHEA) is a Senior Lecturer teaching undergraduate law and postgraduate vocational legal practice training. She is also an Academic Professional Development Fellow and a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Pamela is a qualified barrister and solicitor who worked in the area of civil litigation before moving to her academic role. Pamela is also Chair of the Governing Body of a Tunbridge Wells primary school and in this role has experience of SEN and Safeguarding.

Steph has worked in education for more than 15 years, of which the last five have been at Uplands as Head of History. Prior to this, she worked in Tonbridge and in Maidstone. Steph has always worked in the comprehensive sector and she is passionate about high quality, accessible and diverse education for all students. She also runs the Uplands Pride group, which supports LGBT+ students and their families.

Steph lives locally and has a young son who inspired her to get more involved in the school to support and encourage learners to be passionate about their learning and their potential.

Adam is an experienced practitioner in social care and a volunteer in the community, and he believes that he can offer a well-rounded approach to supporting the school and students.

Adam is a qualified social worker, currently dealing with young people needing extra support, but has previously also been a child and family social worker. Adam specialises with those of a neuro divergent background, have learning and or communication difficulties and mental health issues. He is registered as Dyslexic and has experience of working with support tools, which will enable him to support the full opportunities available to students.

In his youth he was a red cross volunteer and is currently a scout leader in Wadhurst.

Lauren has long admired the work of school governors and believes the role of parent governors in particular is vital to bridge the gap between governance and the families who make up the school community. She was a long standing PTA member at her son's primary school as well as taking on group scout leader for 2 years.

Lauren's working background as an investigator with extensive safeguarding training and an understanding of child protection is of significant benefit to the LGC and as such Laure is the safeguarding link governor.

Christine Ince is an education professional who has worked in the sector for over 30 years. She was a Preschool/Primary teacher for the majority of this time working in schools both in the UK and abroad (UK schools in Germany, Italy and the Netherlands). Her management roles included Head of PE, Head of Literacy, SENCO and member of the SLT.

Latterly, Christine worked as a Consultant with the British Council in Colombia, South Amerca, giving support on Bilingualism, Preschool and the implementation of the Cambridge Assessment International Curriculum and IGCSEs and IA Levels. She relocated from Hove to Tunbridge Wells in 2020 to support her family and grandchildren and has lived in Wadhurst for the past 3 years. In this role Christine is supporting Literacy for the LGC.