Governance

Sharon Williams

Community SSB Member

(Chair)

I enjoy helping and working with people.  

My varied career path demonstrates my commitment to working with people as I was a nurse for 10 years which I loved until it ended due to a back injury.  

Affordable housing was my passion as it linked in with my studies when I worked for the Housing Corporation for 13 years. In this role I worked with registered providers (housing associations) who received grants to build new affordable homes or refurbish properties around the country for people to rent or buy.  I later moved to Croydon Council where I worked in development for 11 years.  Yet again, I worked with registered providers to find suitable sites to build new affordable homes or refurbish properties for the people of Croydon.  The main part of my role was to negotiate the level of affordable homes a developer would give the borough through a S106 agreement.  I also worked with the legal team to ensure the S106 affordable model template was reviewed and updated regularly in line with government policy.

I have been in my current role for 11 years as a School Client and Monitoring Officer.  The role is working with maintained schools to ensure they are statutorily and environmentally safe for the children, staff and visitors who use the buildings.  I am also involved with the annual maintenance programme working with colleagues in the delivery team and contractors to do maintenance works in schools such as replacing boilers/radiators, roof and window replacements, structural repairs, LED lighting upgrades, electrical works, health and safety works as well as emergency repairs known as reactive maintenance.

I became a SSB member, because I thought the role will enable me to play my part in contributing to

improving young people's education generally.  I also see it as an opportunity for me develop new skills and get a better understanding of how school's work.  I am grandparent of two and am interested in their learning and development and have helped out when I can.  It is important for me to have an understanding of what is going on in schools, so that I can help to ensure the children get the best education they can to help them achieve the appropriate foundation for their educational future.

Stella Osan

Community SSB Member

(Vice Chair)

Lee Webster

Parent SSB Member

Hi there, I'm Lee Webster, and I'm really pleased to be the Chair of Chestnut Park School Standards Board. I've been part of the school community for 5 years as a parent, and I joined the SSB two years ago because I'm passionate about making sure our school is the best it can be for all our children. I'm always happy to hear from any parents, so please look out for me at drop off and pick up time, or drop me a line. 

Apart from being a mum and a member of the school community, I've worked in the charity sector on gender equality and human rights for over 20 years. My work has been international, taking me to many countries in Europe, Africa and Asia, and for three years I was an English teacher in a school in Mozambique.  These days I am happy to work in the UK, and currently I am Deputy CEO of a charity that addresses domestic abuse.  

I've lived in Croydon for nearly 15 years, just a few minutes walk from school. This is the community that my family and I have made our home, and Chestnut Park plays a huge role in that.  I'm happy to be able to give back to the school and community with my time and skills, and help to ensure that Chestnut Park provides the best possible experience for each child.

John Mitton

Parent SSB Member

I was born into the world of theatre and have happily lived in it ever since. My life has been filled with fantastic events, the most colourful of people, and a home bursting with props, set pieces, and costumes. I’m a parent to a child at Chestnut Park and have lived in Croydon for five years, just a short walk from the school.

I started teaching drama when I was 15 years old, driven by a passion for teaching and an understanding of the importance it plays in people’s lives. In 2007, I founded Sky Blue Theatre Company, which promotes new playwrights through the British Theatre Challenge and delivers script appraisals. We also run our Shakespeare Rewired workshops in hundreds of schools across the country, supporting learning through fun and promoting gender and religious equality

Of all the roles I’ve taken on, being a dad is by far my favourite. I look forward to working closely with staff, parents, and students to ensure a positive and inclusive learning environment for all.

Aasia Aslam

Parent SSB Member

Aasia has been an SSB member for over two years and is also a member of GLF Trust Finance committee.

Rachel Jacob

Executive Headteacher

Hello!  My name is Rachel Jacob and I have the privilege of being the Executive Headteacher at Chestnut Park Primary School.  I have four children who are all now grown up and I understand the importance of a great start to a child's education as we enable them to grow in their learning.  My favourite quote is: “Give them a thought and they’ll learn for a day. Teach them to think and they’ll learn for a lifetime" Art Costa 

I have a Masters Degree in Education and Higher Diploma Qualifications in SEND and have held a number of senior leadership roles. I have recently joined Chestnut Park (September 2023) but with 33 years in education including the past 20 years as a Headteacher;  Executive Headteacher and National Leader of Education I have been able to grow a vast amount of knowledge, skills and experience within the school communities I have served.  These have all been in disadvantaged communities where I have sought to ensure my leadership provides the best opportunities for everyone children, staff and families alike.  

I have also been a staff governor and Chair of Governors in the past and am aware of the importance of the School Standards Board holding the school to account and supporting them to continue the school's journey to excellence.   

As an associate member of the School Standards Board at Chestnut Park, I will be responsible for two-way communication between teachers and leaders at the school and ensuring we continue to work in partnership with Glyn Learning Foundation (GLF) and maximise all the benefits of Chestnut Park being part of a wider learning and development family.

Sarah Rumbol

Head of School

I began my journey in education in 2008 as a class teacher in County Cork, Ireland where I taught for five years. In 2013, I moved to the UK with my family (I am a Mum of two children) and began my teaching career in the UK in a school in Sutton where I worked for 10 years in the classroom and in senior leadership roles-KS1 manager, Assistant Head Teacher and Deputy Head Teacher. I began working at Chestnut Park in January 2023 as Deputy Head Teacher and quickly felt part of the amazing team which are welcoming, warm and all share a common goal of wanting the best for our Chestnut children and families. It is an honour to be leading and working alongside all the CP team this year. Over the last 15 years working in educations, I have continued to develop myself professionally. I hold diploma in Religious Education and have completed much training in safeguarding to name some further training I have completed. My professional passion is safeguarding and am privileged to be Chestnut Park's designated safeguarding lead this year. Working to ensure the safety and care of all our children is my utmost priority. I am looking forward to working alongside the Schools Strategic Board in this.

Natalie Broad

SSB Member and Education Partner from GLF Schools