Meet Our Governors
Chair of Governors - David Pearson
On 1 September 2017, I was invited to joint WISE Academies as a trustee. I very quickly learned the ethos of WISE Academies and their agenda to give every pupil the best possible education in a safe and supported environment.
On 8 March 2018, I was given the opportunity to join the Governing Body of Bexhill Academy. This would give me a real opportunity to see first-hand that ethos being delivered in a school. I was immediately taken by the extent and depth of commitment given by the staff and Head Teacher and the education and nurturing of the pupils in their charge. It was reassuring to see WISE academies ’practise what they preach’!
On 21 April 2018, I was appointed Vice Chair of Bexhill Academy and became Chair on 16 January 2019, a position that I can consider to be an honour.
In my private life, I am a Chartered Surveyor and the Managing Partner of a medium-sized Regional Consultancy practice here in the North East, helping to deliver construction projects ranging in value from £1M to £80M across the region.
If you have any suggestions as to how you think the governing body can improve its role or ideas/thoughts on the strategic direction of the school I would welcome your thoughts, please contact me via the school. If you have any concerns regarding daily matters in school, then please direct your concerns to the Head who will be delighted to work with you to resolve your concerns.
Laura Hood - Staff Governor
I joined the Governing Body of Bexhill Academy as a Staff Governor in November 2019. I am excited about my role as Staff Governor as I feel it will provide me with further opportunity to work alongside staff, parents, pupils and our community to ensure our pupils receive an enriching and inspiring curriculum. Staff governors offer a unique insight as their position allows them to see the link between practice and theory. I can provide this link and also be the voice of the school staff on the Governing Body.
I started work as a teacher at Bexhill in January 2013. Over the past 7 years, I have gained a vast amount of knowledge and experience of our children, our school and its needs. I have been part of the team, and seen firsthand, Bexhill grow from strength to strength, and want to continue to contribute and ensure that we persistently strive in order to inspire excellence and improve our offer for all our children at Bexhill, so that each individual reaches their true potential.
My roles in Bexhill include; being a class teacher with experience across both Key Stage 1 and 2, leading the school council, organising enrichment across the school, and mentoring both students and newly qualified teachers. I also have experience of leading a phase within the school, and leading a curriculum area. I couldn't pick a role that I prefer, as each brings with it unique experiences and opportunities. I hope my knowledge and experience will put me in good stead to work alongside fellow governors to continue to push our school to be the best it can be!
Claire Wheelwright – Co- opted Gov
I joined the Bexhill Governing body in September 2021 as I feel I have the skills and attributes to help the school move forward. I have two twin boys who are at primary age and both my parents worked in a primary school too. I am keen to work with all stakeholders and be part of the school. I love Bexhill’s vision and their core values and principles and I am keen to be a part of the team.
Eileen Richardson – Co- opted governor
My name is Eileen Richardson and I am delighted to be part of the Governing Body of Bexhill Academy. My background is in education having trained as a primary teacher and then having spent most of my career in support of children with SEND. In 1992 I was appointed Head of the Learning Support Service for the City of Sunderland which brought together for the first time all of the support services for children with special needs including managing and implementing packages of support for mainstream nursery, primary and secondary schools. The Service also provided education for those students who for various reasons, were unable to attend school. In 2002, after becoming the mother of triplets, I resigned from my post in order to spend time with our longed-for children. Since then, I have been a partner in a small business in Newcastle and have been heavily involved in running a breast cancer charity and various local charities particularly for the vulnerable and homeless. I have nine years’ experience as a foundation governor in a diocesan school and hope that this experience will be of benefit to Bexhill Academy. I feel passionately that all children deserve the very best educational experience we can give them and that we can only do that if we all work together challenging and supporting in equal measure. I am very much looking forward to my role!
