Governor Profiles

In September 2026, the governing bodies of Tillingbourne Junior School and Shalford Infant & Nursery School merged to form a single Local Governing Body serving both schools. This reflects our new executive leadership model, with one Executive Headteacher providing leadership across the two schools.

Our governors are volunteers who bring a range of skills, experience and perspectives to support and challenge school leaders. Working within the governance arrangements of Learning Partners Academy Trust, the Local Governing Body provides strategic oversight across both schools and helps ensure that every child receives the best possible education and opportunities.

Governors are responsible for:

Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction.
Holding school leaders to account for educational performance and the effective leadership of the schools.
Overseeing financial performance and ensuring resources are used effectively.
Supporting and challenging leaders to deliver the priorities of both schools.
Maintaining a strong understanding of school life through regular visits and engagement with staff, pupils and the wider school community.

The governing body follows the Trust's scheme of delegation, terms of reference and code of conduct. Governors meet regularly throughout the year and undertake visits to both schools to understand their strengths, priorities and areas for development.

Our Local Governing Body includes representatives from across our school communities, including parents, staff and members of the local community. Governors are appointed based on skills, experience and, where appropriate, parental election.

For further information about governance, including the Trust's approach to governance, becoming a governor and our register of interests, please visit the Learning Partners Academy Trust governance pages.

Carrie Mariner - Community Governor

Carrie has nearly 20 years of experience in secondary education, beginning her career as a drama teacher and progressing to her current role as Deputy Headteacher. She has developed expertise in cross-phase education, collaborating closely with primary schools to ensure smooth transitions from primary to secondary education. Throughout her career, Carrie has remained dedicated to improving student outcomes and supporting staff development. She is excited to bring her skills and passion for education to the Tillingborne community, contributing to its continued success and fostering a positive environment for both students and staff.

Roger Crabb - Community Governor

Roger has worked for over 40 years on major computer systems Performance with the last 20 leading / centering on the largest IBM data base and transaction processing system worldwide. His work called for the development and application of numerous innovative tools , techniques - resulting in savings of £10’s of millions. As a Principal Performance Consultant he presented many times on International lecture circuit forums. He has been married for over 40 years with two grown up sons, one grandson and one grand daughter. His hobbies & interests are physics and astrophysics, geology, natural history, walking & travel.

Amy Froude – Parent Governor

Amy has lived in Chilworth for over 15 years and loves being part of this wonderful community with her family. Her eldest daughter is already at Tillingbourne, and her youngest is due to start in September 2026, making the school an important part of family life.

Amy is passionate about equality, diversity, inclusion, and belonging, and brings these values to her role as governor. Serving as Chief Commercial Officer at a global insurance broker and an Account Executive on the Women in Finance Charter taskforce with HM Treasury, she has significant experience working at board level. Amy is personable, collaborative, and committed to acting as a ‘critical friend’ supporting the school, its staff, and the Senior Leadership Team to continue their great work and successes for the benefit of all children.

Outside of work, Amy makes the most of living in such a beautiful area and can often be found running, walking, or cycling around the Surrey Hills. If you see her at school or out and about, please do stop and say hello, she’d love to meet more of the school community

Sarah Hardcastle - Community Governor

I became involved with the Governing Body in 2015 and continue to be excited by the work here to provide the very best outcomes for your children. It's a privilege to support the school and see how it continually develops the learning opportunities inside and outside the classroom for each and every child.

I have three adult daughters, so spending time at the infant school is a lovely change! I've spent the majority of my career in communications primarily at the BBC and now at Royal Surrey Hospital.

Natalie Harvey - Parent Governor

Natalie Harvey is currently a Student Midwife, pursuing a new career in healthcare. Prior roles include that of a Director at a recruitment company and as an Enrichment and Form Teacher at a private school in London. She holds a BA Degree in Psychology and English and an Honours Degree in Psychology and has been actively involved in school communities through years of PTA volunteering. In South Africa she founded and contributed to pro bono programmes aimed at supporting underprivileged graduates, driven by her dedication to social equity and empowerment and is passionate about supporting the school’s vision and contributing to its continued success and development. She currently has a daughter in Year 6, with her youngest daughter to follow suit in September 2026.

Arbaaz Nayeem - Community Governor

I am delighted to be part of the school's governing body, which I joined in October 2021. Our schools play a vital role in imparting and enabling British values in the lives of our future generations, and I am honoured to be able to contribute to this time-honoured endeavour at Shalford Infant & Nursery School. I am a career development consultant (14+ years) having recently transitioned into a utility investment management role, and look forward to supporting the school's activities in helping build back better through our children.

Rachel Churchley - Community Governor

I joined the governing body in November 2023 as a Community Governor and I feel privileged to be able to support my local community this way. I have worked as an Early Years Teacher for many years in a variety of schools and I have experience of senior leadership, middle management, mentoring, volunteering and mental health support. Since moving from London, I have lived in Shalford for over ten years, where I have become a mum myself and opened my own business as a childminder from my home.

My passions are educating our young people, supporting my local community through voluntary endeavours and protecting the mental health and wellbeing of our children alongside their parents and teachers. In any spare time I have, I enjoy walking my miniature schnauzer, playing piano and cooking up a storm in the kitchen.

Arbaaz Nayeem - Parent Governor

I joined the governing body in May 2023 as a Parent Governor after my son joined Oak class. With my daughter hopefully attending just as her brother leaves, Shalford Infant School is going to be a part of my life for the foreseeable, and so I am excited to be able to get involved and help this incredible school on its journey.

I run a small IT business that works with the UK Government, and hope to be able to bring my experience as an Executive Director and Talent Manager to the Governing Body and deliver value to this amazing team of volunteers.

Karen Brooks - Community Governor

I joined the governing body in November 2019 as a parent governor after my eldest daughter started in Oak Class. I’m delighted to have this opportunity to contribute to the development of the school, which forms such an important part of our community. I trained as a chemist but have since moved into research management. I currently work part-time as a project manager at the University of Surrey.

Will Clarke - Parent Governor

I joined the schools Board of Governors as a Parent Governor in January 2026 having lived in Shalford for 2.5 years and with 2 of my 3 young children attending the nursery & school.

Growing up attending a (very) small rural village school where my mother and father were Teacher & Chair of Governors respectively, the importance of the education of our children and the impact of the village school on the community was impressed on me from a young age. As such, when the opportunity to contribute in a small way by serving on the Board of Governors arose, I was delighted to join.

From my first visit as a prospective parent, I have been impressed with Shalford Infant & Nursery School (and the entire team) for the environment which it provides for our young people to explore, learn, engage and thrive. I look forward to bringing my expertise in any way that I can to support the school to continue to flourish.

Outside of working for a Financial Services Technology Consultancy, and when my 3 children afford me the time, I am usually found exploring the North & South Downs with my dog and my running trainers!