Gill Cocklin, Chair of Governors, is a recently retired primary school Headteacher who worked for 26 years at the same school within RBWM. She was one of the first Headteacher in the country to lead a successful federation and also led a Children’s Centre based within her school. She became a LA appointed governor in September 2017 specifically requesting to serve on the Nursery Federation governing body. Early Years has always been her passion believing that high quality early education is the right of every child and holds the key to success in later life. Gill is also a safeguarding governor for the Nursery Federation of schools.

Eddie Neighbour initially joined as a parent governor at Maidenhead Nursery School in September 2018.  He has one son, who currently attends the school.  He qualified as a teacher in 1996 and is currently the Co-CEO of Pioneer Educational Trust, made up of a Primary, a Middle and a Secondary School in the Slough/Windsor area.  He is a very strong advocate of free play based learning in EYFS and thinks it is very important that children are exposed to a wide variety of experiences from an early age.

Karen Freeland has been a Governor at Maidenhead Nursery School, and then the Federation, since 2010 (when her daughter attended MNS), and strongly believes in the importance of learning through play and outstanding early years education provision as a vital foundation for future learning. Her specific governor responsibilities include SEND and maintaining Federation policies. By profession Karen is an editor of biology and other text books, with a degree in Biochemistry and a PhD in Biomedical Science. She is a volunteer at Maidenhead Nursery School and a gymnastics judge. 

 

 

Karen Drayton has a strong commitment to lifelong education in the local community. After a career in Human Resources she has completed her PGCE and works as a lecturer. Karen joined the governing body with an emphasis on staffing and development. After seeing what a fantastic experience both her daughters had during their time at nursery and the love for learning this gave them Karen enjoys the ongoing support her role can provide.

Jill O'Donovan initially joined the governing body as a parent governor in 2014, she has also worked as the School Business Manager for the Federation and is Chair of the Finance and Resource Committee and is Health and Safety Governor.  Jill was born in Canada where she trained as a Chartered Accountant, and lived in New Zealand for a time before settling in the UK.  Her three sons do their bit to keep her sharp, and when she is not working in the nurseries or on other projects, she is an avid reader and traveller, preferably together.