Governing body

Hollie Cross (Headteacher)

I have worked at Roecroft for over 10 years now and have enjoyed every one of my years very much. My teaching time was spent in Reception and I was the Deputy Head at the school until September 2018 when I was lucky enough to be appointed as Headteacher.
My Husband Richard and I were married in 2010 and we are very proud parents to Clover Ray and Oakley. We moved to Stotfold in 2012 in order to get our children into school at Roecroft, as I sincerely believe in the schools Ethos and dedication to the Education and development of its pupils.

Dr Joel Parry (Chair)

Having grown up in Letchworth, I moved to Stotfold in 2010 with my wife Susannah (a primary school teacher) and both of our sons currently attend Roecroft. We feel privileged to have a school like Roecroft, with such fantastic staff and children, on our doorstep. I was delighted to be given the opportunity to join the team of governors, and am excited about making a contribution to the school.
I have been employed by GlaxoSmithKline R&D since the early 1990s, working in various scientific roles, the main focus being biology and medicines development. I currently hold a position as a research manager and work across our Ware and Stevenage sites in Hertfordshire. I have a general interest in history and astronomy, love cooking, enjoy swimming and have a real passion for building Lego models with my two boys (and sometimes on my own).

Jan Howieson (Co-Opted)

I joined Roecroft Lower School in December 2014 and am the School Finance and Business Manager. I am a Co-opted Governor, specialising in finance. I have worked as a Finance Manager in schools since 2007; in two Lower Schools and a Middle School, both LA Maintained and Academies. Prior to that I worked for many years as an Office Manager in an American owned telecommunications company where my role involved finance, admin and import/export.
I have lived in the Hertfordshire/Bedfordshire area since I was a child, growing up in Letchworth and attending Letchworth Grammar School. I now live in Shefford with my husband and son.
I love the cinema, theatre, music, gardening and holidays abroad.

Mr Chris Stephen (Co-Opted)

I have been working at Roecroft for 10 years, initially as a classroom teacher, and now as Assistant Headteacher. I currently teach in Year 4, having worked in both Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 during my career. I joined the governing body as a co-opted governor around five years ago, as we moved through the recent expansion phase. When I joined Roecroft, the school was one form entry, and I have enjoyed working in the school during the expansion into a two form, and finally three form entry school. I appreciate the opportunity to contribute to the schools success, and I am committed to helping deliver high quality education in our community.

Mr Stephen Wood (Co-Opted)

I moved to Stotfold in 2002, having previously lived in London and Essex.

I work in the television and film industry as head of technology for an independent production company in London, filming and editing documentary series for all of the major UK broadcasters. I have previously worked at a higher education college and recognise the difference that a good education can make.

Kate Reynolds (Co-Opted)

I have been working for A.T. Cross Ltd, a pen manufacturer, who also produce Sheaffer brand products, since 2011. While working there I trained as an accountant and I gained my CIMA qualification in 2014. I hope to use some of my financial knowledge to help with the governance of the school. I have lived in Stotfold since 2014 with my husband and children. I have two boys who will hopefully be joining Roecroft when they are old enough. I am hoping that being a governor will allow me to support the local children's schooling as well as allowing me to get involved with the community. My free time is spent mainly with my family, but when I get a moment to myself, I love to read and do puzzles. I also enjoy travelling and exploring new places.

Linda Wolstencroft

My husband and I have lived in Stotfold for about four years. I am now retired but we have both been involved in education for the whole of our working lives. We have a son living in London and a daughter, son-in-law and young grandchildren (both of whom attend Roecroft school) who live in Stotfold. I trained as a primary school teacher but I have taught across the age range in both mainstream and special schools. I have also worked in advisory and inspection teams and in teacher education and have been a school governor. I am delighted to be able to be a part of the governing body at Roecroft. I remain very committed to education and I look forward to being able to contribute to some of the many areas of school life.

Nicky Wilson (Co-Opted)

I moved to Stotfold in 2015, and was brought up on the east coast of Scotland. I?m an HR Manager, specialising in employment law, and have worked for some of the biggest employers in the UK, looking at their working practises, policies and employee relations.

I live with my husband and our daughter, our two house bunnies, chickens and goldfish. I spend my free time mainly doing family oriented things and rarely get a moment to myself. When I do, I can be found knitting, reading or baking. I have a 1970 VW campervan and love travelling.

I hope that my role as a governor will help contribute to the school maintaining its excellent record of achievement. I?m passionate about ensuring that children attending Roecroft Lower School continue to have excellent opportunities to thrive and learn, and be the very best version of themselves. I am proud to be part of the governing body.

Vicky Phillips (Clerk to Governors)

I have been Clerk to the Governing Body for Roecroft Lower since April of this year. Every school governing body is required to appoint a clerk whose key role is to provide an administrative resource for the governors and to ensure the smooth running of its functions, processes and meetings. I currently clerk for three schools all within Central Bedfordshire and I work in a local middle school as a SEND Administrator, having previously worked for two lower schools. I live in Potton with my husband and three children. I consider myself incredibly fortunate to serve such as committed group of governors at Roecroft as well as the wider school community and look forward to the challenges this academic year will bring!

Jo Lamb (Staff)

Prior to having children I worked in administration and marketing roles within pharmaceutical and medical companies. I moved from Hertford to Stotfold with my husband and 2 boys in 2013 and joined Roecroft in 2016, at the same time as my youngest child started in Reception.

Initially working as a Lunchtime Supervisor, I moved into the office in December 2016 and really enjoy being part of the Roecroft family. I am pleased to have become a staff member of the Governing Body and look forward to helping support Roecroft to continue to be the fantastic school that it is.

Jemma Gallagher (Associate Member)

I joined the Roecroft family in 2012 as a classroom teacher in KS1. I have taught in both year 1 and 2 and have been leading the key stage since 2015. I then went on to join the senior leadership team as an Assistant Headteacher in September 2017. I am excited to be a new governor this year and am dedicated to providing an excellent education to the pupils in our community.

Daure Wallace (Co-opted)

I’m originally from Baldock, but moved to Stotfold with my husband, Paul, eight years ago. We have three children, Felix, Alexander and Rosie. Felix started in reception in 2018 and I was keen to get involved with the school after seeing how much he loved it.

I have previously worked as a magazine journalist, sub editor and most recently a TV scheduling editor and was thrilled to have been asked to join the team of governors. I hope my background in communications and my enthusiasm for the school and the achievements of the pupils can help Roecroft remain the brilliant school it is.

I enjoy holidaying in Norfolk, spending time with friends and have recently taken courses in social media marketing and management.

Arlene Hui (Vice-chair)

I am originally from Columbia, South Carolina in the US and came to the UK in 1996 as an exchange student. I first lived in Coventry and then London, where I gained postgraduate degrees in history, before moving to Stotfold in 2008 after I married. Education has been a defining feature in my life. I have experienced and observed first hand the importance of a good education, both as a student and when working as a lecturer at several universities.

I have three children, two of whom are already students at Roecroft. I believe strongly in supporting the school and community and have been involved in FORLS for a number of years. I am excited to be a member of the governing body and hope that I will be able to contribute positively to the school and its future endeavours.

Most of my free time is spent with my family, where we share my passions of reading, cooking, and watching films. I also enjoy attending the theatre, going to concerts, travelling, and trying new experiences.

If you wish to contact the Governing Board, you can email Joel Parry (Chair) joel.d.parry@gsk.com