Governors

I joined the governing body in September 2025. As a lecturer in Philosophy with a strong interest in teaching and learning, I am committed to helping every child reach their potential. That commitment led me to school governance and to the role of Chair. 

I work closely with Mr Harrison and the wider staff team, acting as a sounding board and offering constructive feedback to support the trust’s strategic vision. Through regular visits and purposeful board meetings, I aim to contribute wherever I am most needed. 

The ethos of Oatlands Infants and the wider trust aligns strongly with my own beliefs about what makes a school thrive. I am proud to lead a dedicated team of governors, all focused on ensuring every child can access their education fully and joyfully, and on securing the brightest possible future for our school community. 

Before I joined the Governing body here at Oatlands, I previously worked as a Primary School teacher in Leeds.

I then decided to focus more on Early Years becoming a Children’s Centre teacher, which was some of the most rewarding years of my career. In 2015 I stepped away from teaching to raise a family of my own and became a full-time Mummy.   

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I joined the governing body in September 2022.  

My family and I relocated to Harrogate from East Sussex in 2018 and my daughter joined reception at Oatlands. We were very impressed by the warm and friendly welcome that we received from everyone at Oatlands which really helped us to settle in. 

I'm very much looking forward to being a member of the governing team and putting my experience to good use to help support the school. I have a background in finance working in both manufacturing and more recently as part of the central finance team for a local Trust. 

In my spare time I enjoy walking in the amazing Yorkshire countryside and playing the odd game of badminton. 

I became a Parent Governor in July 2021.  I have two children at Oatlands Infant School, one starting Year 2 in September 2021 and the other starting in Reception. 

My family and I moved to Harrogate in January 2020 as we wanted to settle near family.  My daughter started in Reception at Oatlands in the New Year 2021 and I was immediately impressed with how welcoming and friendly the school was.  I see becoming a Parent Governor as an opportunity to support the school, which in turn supports the children who attend.  

My husband and I both left the RAF to move to Harrogate.  I was a commissioned officer (solicitor) for over 11 years and before that, I was a criminal defence solicitor in central London for 9 years.  In the RAF, I specialised in employment law, personnel issues in general and public (administrative) law.  I continue to serve in the RAF but now I serve as a Reservist, part-time from home in between trying to get to the gym due to my new lockdown hobby of baking sourdough bread!

I am pleased to be a Governor at the school and to support the important work it does for pupils and families. As a parent of a child at the school, I have a genuine insight into school life and a strong personal commitment to helping the school succeed. 

I have always lived in Harrogate and feel very connected to the local community. I work in Global Food Regulations, where my role involves compliance, risk management, and working to high standards. These skills are directly relevant to my role as a Governor and help me support the school’s strategic decision-making. 

In my spare time, I enjoy keeping active through running, gym sessions and Pilates, and I also have a keen interest in good food and travel. 

I joined the governing body in late 2025 as a Parent Governor. I have built my career in education technology, driven by a belief that small, thoughtful improvements can make a meaningful difference to inclusion and pupil outcomes. The school’s ethos strongly aligns with this, and I am delighted to contribute in a governance capacity. 

Alongside my professional work, my wife and I founded a community café in Harrogate for young parents, Brood, rooted in our shared belief that children need the time and space to simply be children. 

Outside of this, I spend much of my spare time, perhaps for my sins, supporting West Ham and Harrogate Town, reflecting my long-standing soft spot for the underdog. 

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I was elected as parent governor in November 2024. I have 3 children - the eldest spent three very happy years at Oatlands, my middle child is currently in Year 1 and my youngest will be due to start in September 2025.  

We moved to the area from London in 2020 and were really impressed with the warm welcome and the community feel of the school. I'm looking forward to supporting the school as part of the governing body, as well as a school parent. 

My background is in marketing communications and I have worked for several public sector organisations including local government and healthcare trusts. I currently work on national marketing campaigns for the Department for Work and Pensions.  

Outside of work and being a parent, I enjoy good food, good wine and watching Newcastle United (when they win).  

See staff pages for picture and information on Mr Harrison. 

See staff pages for picture and information on Miss Shaw.