Governance (ID 1436)

• Rosemary Goodwin
  Chair of Governors
  Rosemary Goodwin

  Rosemary is an experienced governor and has undertaken several roles: co-opted governor, community governor, parent governor, safeguarding, Vice Chair and Chair of Governors. Over of period of more than 20 years, she has volunteered her time as a governor in a secondary school and four special schools. During this time, Rosemary has made a significant contribution to the change management of maintained schools moving into multi-academy trusts, and the creation of a new free special school. She has recently been appointed as a Specialist Advisory Governor, providing support to schools in Surrey.

  Retirement has enabled Rosemary to focus on school governance, and she applies her knowledge and skills from a career that has included leading workforce and leadership programmes, organisational development and business development consultancy, information technology support and training, and coaching. She has worked in local authorities, the NHS and education services.

  A love of art, music, writing and wildlife is enjoyed when there is time!

• John Reeves
  Community Governor
  John Reeves

  Until 2011, John worked in IT, Premises, and Health & Safety direction and management across the Defence, Oil & Gas, and Education sectors, gaining broad experience in operational systems, site oversight, and compliance.

  He is a former Trustee and Chair of Elmbridge Mencap, where he supported both governance work and club activities for members.

  John now volunteers at Walton Leigh as a minibus driver, taking staff and pupils to a variety of experiential and educational venues. He regularly accompanies groups during visits and has occasionally stepped in as a Teaching Assistant.

  As a Governor, John's main area of interest is Property and Health & Safety, where his professional background is especially valuable.

  Outside his voluntary roles, John plays guitar and sings in a dad's charity based rock band.

  
  

• Hattie Djemal
  Staff Governor
  Hattie Djemal

  Hattie began her career as a hairdresser before moving into education and later qualifying as a teacher. She has worked at Walton Leigh School since 2014, teaching students with ASD and complex needs, and has been a Staff Governor since 2025. She also coordinates accreditation and Functional Skills for upper school students.

  Hattie finds her role as a Staff Governor highly rewarding, valuing the opportunity to represent staff and contribute to decisions that support the whole school community. Outside of work, she enjoys dancing and swimming, is active in the Parent School Association, and is a parent of four adult children, including one with additional needs.

• Rev. Shaun Sanders
  Community Governor
  Rev. Shaun Sanders

  Shaun is a Methodist minister serving churches in Walton‑on‑Thames, Weybridge, Byfleet and Addlestone. He has previously ministered in a wide range of communities, including Milton Keynes, Hackney, Golders Green and Barnet, gaining broad experience in diverse social and cultural settings.

  His commitment to special education was shaped by seeing how his nephew flourished in a special school in Cornwall. This experience inspired Shaun to become a governor at a special primary school in north London, and he is now proud to continue this service as a governor at Walton Leigh School.

  Through his ministry, Shaun has worked with many different people across varied community groups and contexts. He is dedicated to ensuring that every individual is valued, supported and given the opportunity to reach their full potential.

• Charulata Bharucha
  Community Governor
  Charulata Bharucha

  Charulata is a Business Change Associate with substantial experience delivering transformation initiatives that enhance operational efficiency at Heathrow. She is highly skilled in stakeholder engagement and change management, working collaboratively across teams to drive sustainable improvements and support strategic organisational goals.

  Charulata is committed to fostering inclusive, high-performing educational and professional environments that reflect both community priorities and industry expectations. She brings a thoughtful, people‑centred approach to her work, promoting transparency, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

  She is also actively pursuing professional development in project management, demonstrating a strong commitment to lifelong learning and her own growth. This dedication reflects her belief that ongoing self‑improvement is essential to leading effective change and contributing meaningfully to the organisations she serves.

• Ellen Clarke
  Community Governor
  Ellen Clarke

  Ellen brings extensive experience in organisational development, people strategy and wellbeing to her role as Community Governor. She holds an MSc in Organisational Psychology (Merit), where she explored how Gender Pay Gap reporting influences perceptions of fairness in the workplace, and a BA in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from Durham University. She is also a certified Mental Health First Aider and holds the Investment Management Certificate.

  Ellen currently works as a Talent & Development Manager at Bridgepoint Group, where she helps shape a growing talent function, leads early career development initiatives and supports colleagues' induction and professional growth.

  Prior to this, Ellen spent several years at Insight Investment in a variety of learning, wellbeing, ESG and early careers roles, developing programmes that supported employee engagement, sustainability awareness and inclusive career pathways.

  Ellen is passionate about improving opportunities for young people and supporting organisations to create positive, equitable environments where individuals can thrive.

• Paul Hewer
  Community Governor
  Paul Hewer

  Paul Hewer has built a diverse and accomplished career across the hotel and catering industry, where he held several senior leadership roles and developed a strong grounding in operational excellence and customer-focused service. His professional journey also included working as a Training and Development Advisor, supporting staff development and helping to raise industry standards through targeted, skills-based training programmes. Alongside these roles, Paul demonstrated entrepreneurial vision by establishing and managing a number of his own successful businesses, further broadening his commercial insight and strategic expertise.

  Paul’s commitment to supporting young people is deeply rooted in his own early educational experiences, which shaped his belief in the importance of accessible, encouraging learning environments. He is passionate about helping children and young adults grow in confidence, develop essential life skills, and realise their full potential. Kindness, resilience, and lifelong learning remain at the heart of his philosophy and continue to guide his work today.