Who we are
Jo Roberts
Chair & Community Governor
I’m really pleased to have been appointed as a parent governor. I come to the role with many years’ experience working in financial services and corporate communications, advising businesses on how to effectively engage and communicate with their people. This has given me wide-ranging insight into how successful companies are run and the different considerations and sensitivities that need to be understood and managed in any organisation. Whilst I don’t come from a professional education background, I hope I can bring a valuable set of experiences and skills to the team.
I was lucky enough to have a very positive experience of education throughout school and university and I understand what a huge difference that can make. I want to support the school in doing its best for its students to them all a rounded, happy and healthy start to life.
I have three children, the oldest of which is at Warlingham, and my twin girls are at primary school. Naturally, family life takes up a lot of my time but when I’m not doing a school run, watching a tennis lesson or helping with homework, I enjoy being outside, keeping fit, watching sport and I also love a bit of baking.
Carol Holah
Co-Vice Chair & Community Governor
I started training as a primary class teacher in 1998 where I discovered my passion for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). I am now an Inclusion Leader / SENDCo at a large Infant Teaching School and home to the Thames South Teaching School Hub. I have facilitated training for nursery/pre-school and primary school staff in areas of SEND as well as facilitating the SEND training for Bromley's Newly Qualified Teachers. As a Specialist Leader in Education for SEND, I do outreach support work as and when required, reviewing schools' SEND provision.
I have extended my own study by obtaining Advanced Skills in Autism, as well as Master's level qualifications for the National Award for SENCo (2011) and Language, Literacies and Dyslexia (2019) enabling me to be a specialist teacher and assessor of dyslexia. I enjoy setting up projects and supporting teachers' development, utilising my qualification as a facilitator in the Outstanding Teacher Programme and coaching.
I am a married mum of two sons, both of whom are at Warlingham and our whole family are huge fans of Crystal Palace FC.
Sarah Berke
Community Governor
I have been a governor for fourteen years - first as a parent governor and latterly as a community governor; a lot longer than I envisaged when I first joined the governing body when my son was in Year 7! I have stayed on as a governor because I find it incredibly interesting, enjoyable and rewarding.
I have been involved with education for most of my working life. Initially, working in universities, managing and designing admissions and enrolment systems, both in this country, and in New Zealand, where I lived for 10 years. Later in life, I trained as a Primary School teacher. I spent 15 years working in local primary schools and now do occasional supply teaching. Having worked for so long in education, I am passionate and really interested in all aspects of lifelong learning.
Jodee Francis
Community Governor
I am very happy to have been appointed as a Community Governor, especially since I was a student at the school many moons ago. I fondly remember participating in District Sports and representing the school at High Jump, Long Jump, 100m Sprint and 400m Relay. I am also proud that my son was a student at Warlingham and has since finished university with first class honours. I bring over 27 years’ of working in secondary schools in the local area, which includes over 16 years as a School Business Manager – with roles in finance, managing staff and overseeing building projects, services and facilities. I extended my own studies by taking AAT accounting qualifications. Within my working role as a senior team member and working alongside staff and students, I have had many insights into the expectations of students, how they deal with them, and the things we can do to continuously try and provide them with the tools they need to succeed. I wish for all students to have an all-round, happy and healthy start to adult life. Outside of work, I actively make time to socialise with family and friends. I like to try and keep fit, but my main goal is to have fun on holidays and making great memories.
Shirley Si Ahmed
Community Governor
I have lived in South Croydon for 20 years. I have two sons, the oldest in Year 7 at Warlingham and the other in Year 1 in our local primary school.
I have worked for the last six years as the School Business Leader at Purley Oaks Primary, a three-form entry LA maintained school in the London Borough of Croydon. Prior to that, I worked in the Local Authority in Croydon leading on the traded service to schools’ function and, before that, in the School Improvement 14-19 team. Before working in education, I worked in sales and marketing for a number of large food and drink manufacturers including Britvic (PepsiCo and Robinsons), Nestle and British Bakeries (Hovis). In my current position, I am a member of the senior leadership team and take responsibility for all school support functions. I have extensive experience in leading a wide range of school support disciplines including Finance, HR, Health & Safety, Premises Management, Data Protection, ICT, Resource and Infrastructure Management, and Catering. I work closely with the governing board at my school, and I am very keen to share my experience and support the board at Warlingham.
I have a degree in Archaeology from the University of Nottingham and am currently on the Senior Leader Masters Degree L7 Apprenticeship Programme in School Leadership and Management with the National College of Education.
In my spare time(!), I volunteer for the Scouts Association and am Group Secretary for my local unit.
I hope that my experience will add value to the board at Warlingham. I am excited to become an Associate Governor.
Simon Wermig
Community Governor
I am very pleased to be a member of the governing body. I have a long professional background within safeguarding and child protection, as well as having experience in the recruitment and IT industry.
I am married with six children, the youngest of whom is currently in Year 8 at Warlingham, and I look forward to her siblings joining her in the years to come. I have a keen interest in music and the arts and greatly value these areas of the curriculum. I am always prepared to ask the right questions, balancing holding the school to account for decision-making, whilst supporting and encouraging change to ensure I have a positive impact on the educational standards and wellbeing of students so that, ultimately, all staff and students alike exceed their potential and are valued members of the local community.
Sally Gardner
Community Governor
I am delighted to be a parent governor at Warlingham. I have worked for over 20 years as a teacher in Primary Education and have taught all phases of education. I am the Creative Arts Leader at my school and part of the Leadership Team. I am deeply passionate about the Arts and their value in education. I have also spent time working as a specialist teacher of Art, Music and Design Technology and Food and Nutrition Education. I like to involve children in the decision-making in their education and seek to empower them to shape their choices and offer them opportunities to experience learning that may open their horizons to new pathways.
I have one son at Warlingham School & Sixth Form College. Our family is mad about football and movies.
Jacquie Baker
Community Governor
Having previously served as a community governor at the school, including several years as the Chair, I’m really pleased to have the opportunity to re-join Paul Foster and the team as it was such a rewarding experience. My governance background began in the 90s: later, combining my professional experience with governance, this led me to training and consultancy in the specialist area of Headteacher recruitment, where I spent many interesting years running my own business before taking up the lead HR role in another multi academy trust. Now I have some time to pursue new interests, including plants as a kickback from my degree subject.
Living locally (and in between walking, skiing, bridge, attempting golf and trying to keep tabs on my adult family) it’s great to be back at Warlingham and to receive such a warm welcome.
Jacqueline Faulkner
Parent Governor
I am delighted to have been appointed as a parent governor for Warlingham School. In my day job, I work in local government with a specialism in economic inclusion, employment and skills, including experience of working with inner London schools to deliver careers and apprenticeship programmes. A key part of my role is the strategic development and continuous quality improvement of programmes and services, so along with my passion for equity and inclusion I believe I have lots of relevant skills and experience to bring to Warlingham.
I have a primary school aged son, and a daughter in Year 7 at Warlingham. I'm just learning the ropes of secondary school myself, so the ‘new Warlingham parent' perspective is definitely one I can bring to the Board.
This is my first School Governor role and I'm learning so much already, and I'm looking forward to working with fellow Governors and the school Senior Leadership Team to ensure that Warlingham students are best supported to achieve their potential.
Doug Hutt
Parent Governor
I am proud to have joined the governing body as a parent governor. As a parent with children in the school, I believe in supporting students to become the best future versions of themselves and helping them understand the important impact they can have on the world and the community they live in.
My working life in research & development and as a consultant across different industries as well as my experience in design and sustainability is focused on opening minds to think differently and being a collaborative partner in the process of continuous improvement.
My family and I have lived in the Warlingham community since 2003 but also spent 6 years living and working in Switzerland, so I understand what it means to be both at the core of the community as well as being an outsider wanting to contribute.
Rebecca Bristow
Staff Governor
I am a Teacher of English at Warlingham School & Sixth Form College and have recently joined the governing body. I used to be a student at Warlingham and have an invested interest in the school and local community. Since starting my teaching career, I have been involved in a number of roles such as the Inspire Programme Co-Ordinator and KS4 Co-Ordinator (MAT cover).
After university, I started a career in the world of Fashion Marketing and Events but quickly learned that my aspirations revolved around helping others and contributing to my local community. I am extremely passionate about educating young people and coaching them to become well-rounded, successful individuals. It is an honour and privilege to be a part of their life journey and I hope to make a small, positive difference.
I enjoy working alongside my colleagues at Warlingham and benefit from their experience, enthusiasm and energy.
Saba Tyson
Staff Governor
I joined Warlingham School as the Science Technician Manager in September 2021 and am pleased to have recently joined the governing body as a non-teaching staff governor. I look forward to supporting the school community and governing team in this role.
Prior to Warlingham, I was the Lead technician at Greenshaw High School in Sutton for 11 years, and I have also worked at St. Philomena’s Girls School, Cheam High and The Beacon in similar roles. I have also had the opportunity to visit a diverse range of Primary and Secondary schools and colleges as a teacher and technician training adviser for Data Harvest, and before that I was a respiratory physiologist working at Great Ormond Street Children’s and St Bartholomew’s Hospitals for a number of years.
I am privileged to be an Akela (Cub Scout Leader) in Sutton District for over 25 years - having volunteered initially as a parent helper I am now watching my grandson enjoy Beavers!
I am an accredited STEM Lead Facilitator and have run training courses and organised summer conferences and workshops for technicians across Surrey and South London and I have a passion for education and science, with a particular focus on Health and Safety.
Daisy B (Year 12)
Student Governor
Michael E (Year 12)
Student Governor
Isabel S (Year 13)
Student Governor
Nura H (Year 13)
Student Governor
Clerk to the Governors
To email the clerk to the governors, Catriona Sanderson, please click the button below.