Hayley Gittins

I came to Reading in 1984 from South Wales, where I was born and brought up. I came to train to be a teacher and never went home! I still have family in WaIes and we enjoy trips back home to see them and to walk and cycle in the Black Mountains. I married Jeremy in 1994. We met in Reading but, strangely enough, his family originated from a village very near to my own and we were married in the same church in Crickhowell where he had been christened many years previously.

Our son was born in 1994. He chose to study languages at university and now lives and works in Madrid. It’s a lovely city and we enjoy visiting him when we can.

As for hobbies and interests, gardening is my passion. We moved 8 years ago to a new house and I have enjoyed creating a nice space to relax in and to entertain friends and family. I enjoy walking and cycling in the beautiful West Berkshire countryside and taking trips abroad in our campervan.

I very much enjoy working with such an enthusiastic, committed team of governors, and being part of a vibrant community of teachers and learners.

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Simon Bell 

I am originally from Winchester and went to school in Southampton, before heading off to Reading University to study Philosophy. It was whilst at university that I met my wife, Amelia, and we have stayed in the Reading area ever since, moving to Purley in 2005. We now have three daughters, one of whom left Purley for secondary school in 2019, one of whom who will be leaving Purley for secondary school this year and the other who is currently in Year 2. 

After university, I worked in a number of different roles within the Financial Services profession whilst studying for my professional qualifications to become a Financial Adviser and eventually started my own financial advisory and wealth management practice in 2010. 

I am passionate about achieving high education standards and have a desire to ensure that all children, regardless of their background or upbringing, are given every opportunity to improve themselves through access to a quality education and to develop a love of learning. 

My daughters take up almost all of my spare time, which has also led to me becoming Head Coach of the U15s Girls team at Tilehurst Panthers Football Club, the largest girls’ football club in the South of England.

I am delighted to be serving as a governor, particularly over the coming years as my youngest daughter continues her own school journey through Purley Primary School.

Anne Bolland 

I am married to John and we have lived in Purley for 40 years and it is a delightful place “to be”. I am involved with several organisations in the village and am currently a churchwarden at St Mary’s Church where I also ring bells.

For many years, I have been volunteering at school three mornings a week to support children with their phonics, reading and numbers and more recently I have also had the pleasure of helping Year 6 children with their run up to SATS exams. My volunteering is most rewarding and gives me great satisfaction. I have been a governor for six years and serve on various committees.

Carole Print 

My early school life was spent in Guildford, followed at senior school at Pate’s Grammar School in Cheltenham and then the Holt in Wokingham. In my professional life I qualified as an accountant and worked in a number of companies in the Reading area, and following the birth of our first child I transitioned to teaching those studying for their professional accountancy examinations. This was followed by taking on a role at Henley Business School teaching on MBA courses. In my time at Henley over about 20 years I took a doctorate in finance, trained as a coach, and as Associate Professor of Accounting and Finance I undertook management and committee work, conducted and supervised research in finance and taught on MBA and executive education programmes in many parts of the world. 

Soon after my daughter became a pupil at The Abbey School in Reading I joined the Parents Association becoming Chair, and subsequently a governor of the school. Although most of my teaching and learning experience has been in higher education with senior managers, teaching and learning have been very much a part of my professional life as well as my governor role. I have lived in Purley for 34 years and now that I am fully retired I am delighted to have involvement at Purley Primary School as a governor and look forward to supporting the continuing development and transition at the school. 

David Briscoe

I wanted to make a contribution to the community and I joined the Governors at the end of 2019. I studied Politics at university but my career was in audio production as an engineer, producer and manager. Although not a teacher I worked a lot with children and managed the audio department for Pearson Education which created audio materials to accompany books. Most of this was for students abroad learning English, starting with three year olds, through secondary and for business English.

My wife and I bought a house in Purley in 2008 because we wanted to live in the Thames valley and we are very pleased we came here. It is a great community and the school is a key part of it. I am a governor, but I also to go into school every week to help with maths revision which enables me to see the school in action.

Like many people I see that a good start in school is so important and is the foundation for the future of a child. I have two grown up children, but when they were at school I played an active part in their school’s PTA. I hope that as a governor I can make a useful contribution to the continued development of the school.

Lin Bartlett 

Originally from Kent I grew up in a small village close to the coast but had always wanted to live in a town so headed for London to study. I then started my teaching career in a large comprehensive in North London and enjoyed being part of a vibrant multicultural community. 

A marriage and two sons followed who, having been born close to Arsenal support the club unfalteringly. Time came though to move and we settled in Purley for the space and fresh air. Both sons went to local schools with the youngest starting at Purley infant. 

Throughout my career in schools, then as a senior adviser I have been passionate about young people having the best educational experience possible. An experience that will carry them through life allowing them to adapt and learn and live fulfilled lives. 

I am in school regularly and enjoy working work with a small group of pupils on their skills in maths. 

We have lived in Purley on Thames for 13 years. I have been most impressed by the professionalism of the school. Being a very small school must undoubtedly bring challenges but also should bring rewards in terms of the impact each individual can make.

As a grandparent I have become more focused on how my grandchildren develop and the role of early years in education. From my own experience in life, I am a firm believer that reading skills are the foundation for success and would like to help ensure that all children have the resource to maximize these opportunities.

Although predominantly retired, I continue to be a director and shareholder of a small company that supplies management systems to the hotel industry. The company was founded by myself and colleagues approximately 12 years ago. My responsibilities cover all commercial aspects of the operation.

Previous employment (whilst not in the education sector) includes many years in the headquarters of some of the major international hotel chains. Senior Management roles included data analysis and specifically data driven strategic decision making. These roles involved project management and working across teams and business disciplines. Later roles included managing the delivery of head office initiatives to hotel general managers via education and training and, indeed, the early adoption of online learning and related Learning Management Systems.

I continue to explore new technologies and try to understand how these can be applied in both a business and domestic setting.

I was born in London, both of my parents were Spanish refugees from the Spanish Civil War.  As a child I often returned to Spain to visit family though sadly my grandparents were unable to return due to the political situation.

My first language was Spanish until I went to Alfred Sutton Primary School in Reading.  From there I went to secondary school and then worked for an Accountant as his secretary.  I quickly learnt Accounting was my field and went to evening classes for eight years to qualify in Accountancy.  I have two children and four grandchildren and currently live in a small village nearby.

I have always worked in industry and have found the Governor role at Purley School both interesting and challenging.

Two of my grandchildren have come and gone to Purley School and it has been wonderful to see the school help them in their development and education.

My hobbies include watching my grandchildren play football, country walks with the dogs and yoga.