Hermitage Primary School

Penny Willson. Local Authority Governor

Standards & Curriculum Governor

Term of office ends: 21.02.2028

We moved into Hermitage two years ago, both my children have attended Hermitage Primary School. I really admire the sense of community the school instils in its pupils and I want to support the school further.  In my role as governor, I work with the staff and Full Governing Body to ensure that Hermitage Primary School offers a great education to all its pupils. I am particularly interested in curriculum and learning.  I work as a scientist for a global beverage company and I am a qualified secondary school teacher. I have strong communication and management skills developed through my career and training.

Gillian Turner.  Headteacher, Governor

I qualified as a teacher in 1994 in primary education. I have lived in Newbury since 1994 but am very proud of my Northumbrian roots. My main subject is art but I am very passionate about science and nature and reading and above all learning. During my teaching career I have always worked in West Berkshire schools. I have held many different coordinator posts, mainly English and art and had a variety of senior leadership posts and work for the local authority as an advisor and moderator. I have been lucky to have been part of the Hermitage Primary School team since 2012 when I was appointed Deputy Headteacher and taught in upper juniors. In September 2019 I was honoured to be appointed Headteacher after the retirement of our pervious Head. I enjoy getting to know all of our families and the children and creating a strong school community and inspiring children to learn. I am a great believer in offering a variety of opportunities for our children and creating an exciting diverse curriculum. In my spare time ( there isn't much!!) I love being creative, water colour painting , passionate gardener and baker. I have a husband and 2 children and a tortoise!

Lucy Cowan. Deputy Headteacher, Staff Governor 

Term of office ends: 12.9.2026

I have been teaching for over 20 years in both primary and secondary schools. Now in my ninth year at Hermitage Primary School I thought was the right time to join the governing body. As part of the Standards and Curriculum Committee. I will be able to work closely with the other governors to ensure that Hermitage Primary School continues to provide an environment where all children 'shine'.

I started my career as a professional dancer/performer and ran my own dancing school for many years before moving into the village. I changed my career totally working for automotive manufacturers. My three children have attend/attended Hermitage Primary School and I am proud to now be the Manager of Hermitage Pre School; I have a Level 3 in Childcare and Education and Level 4 in Special Educational Needs. As a Governor, I will try to address issues and decisions from the parent/carers point of view as well as supporting the aims of the school.

Steph Day (nee Tinsley). Co-Opted Governor

Pay, Performance and Personnel Governor

Term of office ends: 09.10.2027

Having had both my daughters go through Hermitage Primary School and absolutely thrive, I was delighted to join the Governing team as a way to give something back.

The school has a lovely village and community feel and supporting the Leadership Team and wider staff cohort there is something I am passionate about. My background covers skills, experience and formal qualifications in HR Management, Facilities Management and Events as well as Early Years education.

We are a strong cohesive team of Governors and work well together to ensure the best possible outcomes for the school. I look forward to all we are able to achieve as a team going forwards.

Kathyrn Cronk. Parent Governor

PPG Governor

Term of office ends: 14.11.2026

I have lived in Hermitage since 2007, during this time I have been involved in the community in various ways. Now that my children are older and my son attends Hermitage Primary, I am keen to offer my time and support to our village school. As a primary school teacher myself, I can offer both a teacher and parents perspective to my role as governor. As a member of the standards and curriculum committee I am keen to support the school to deliver a curriculum which fosters a love of learning for all.

Claire Drake. Parent Governor

Communications & Marketing Governor

Term of office ends: 14.11.2026

My name is Claire Drake and I have four children, three of them have attended Hermitage Primary and my youngest is currently in Year 5. I have been actively involved in the school over the years, serving on the PTA for seven years and I am now a General Teaching Assistant in Year 6. I am delighted to be a parent Governor, assisting the governor team and supporting teachers in helping the school run as effectively as possible and continuing to provide excellent education to our children.

Fay Ashwood. Parent Governor

Finance Governor

Term of office ends: 14.11.2027

My husband and I moved to the village in 2017 when we were expecting our second daughter. We loved the idea of raising our girls in a small country village and have embraced being part of a close community. Both girls came through the local preschool, where I was chair of the parent-led committee. The girls now attend Hermitage Primary so I have a vested interest in the future aims and achievements of the school. I currently work for West Berkshire council in the Education Welfare & Safeguarding service and look forward to utilising my knowledge and skills to help steer the school’s vision for the future. 

Clare Gatward, Co-Opted Governor

Term of office ends: 25.3.2028

After over twenty years as a mathematics teacher, I am delighted to be able to continue my considerable interest in and knowledge of education and to give something back to the community. I have experience as a parent governor at our children’s primary school and am pleased to be involved in the important, formative and exciting stages of the early learning years. We are kept grounded by 4 children and 10 grandchildren, all London based, who visit frequently and much enjoy the freedom of the countryside.

Francisca Musei, Co-Opted Governor

Health & Safety Governor

Term of office ends: 21.03.2028 

I have a career background in health and safety, holding degrees in Geology and Oil and Gas Management. For about 5 years plus I have worked in the Energy sector back in Nigeria before I relocated to the UK in 2022 and now I currently work as a Support Worker and a Care Assistant. My responsibility is to care for people’s health and wellbeing. Amazingly, I moved from Swansea to live in Thatcham in March 2023. In the interest of improving my personal growth and making a meaningful impact, I thought of volunteering as a school Governor at Hermitage Primary School and gaining new skills to empower me when I have my kids😊. My experience as a school Governor is totally new to me but I am open to learning new skills as well as contributing valuable insights into the schools safety, care and administrative management while fostering a safe and healthy learning environment.