Our Governors (ID 1077)

• Mr John Higginbottom
  Chair of Governors
  Mr John Higginbottom

  My name is John Higginbottom and I have been a Governor since 2011, and Chair of Governors since 2015.

  Over the past 30 years, I have held senior leadership posts in both the private and public sectors and bring a wealth of experience and skills to the Governing Board, in the area of Business Strategy, Resource Management, Transformational Change, and Leadership.

  I have a good understanding of how schools function and are governed, as I have been supporting and working with schools for over 15 years.

• Mrs Helen Pickup
  Parent Governor (Vice Chair)
  Mrs Helen Pickup

  My name is Helen Pickup and I am a parent governor, appointed in 2016. I have 2 children at William Levick.

  For the past 16 years I have worked for HSBC in IT and have worked in various roles within the bank from Programming to Project Manager. My current role is working as part of a small team providing governance of a multi-million budget for upgrading the bank's IT systems.

• Mr Toby Pochron
  Associate Member
  Mr Toby Pochron

  My name is Toby Pochron, I am an associate governor and I joined the governing body in 2018.

  I am a corporate employment law solicitor and work at a law firm based in Sheffield. My role on the governing board is focussed on data protection compliance and I am the school’s Data Protection Officer.

  I have four sons, three of which currently attend William Levick and I hope the youngest will join in the future too.

• Mr Simon Temple
  Associate Member
  Mr Simon Temple

  My name is Simon Temple and I am an associate governor of William Levick Primary School, with special interest in Health and Safety and EYFS.
  I have been associated with the school since 2003. I am retired although still act occasionally as a consultant in the science industry. I am the Deputy District Commissioner for Scouts in Dronfield, run a ukulele group and I am an active member of Dronfield Baptist Church.

• Anna Newby
  Remote Governor
  Anna Newby

  I'm Anna Newby and I live in London and so have a remote governor role at William Levick. I work in business development for an international law firm, which enables me to bring skills in marketing, communications and budget management to my role with the school.

  When not working, I enjoy running (slowly!) and visiting family and friends across the country. I have one son in Y2 at a local school and another who is a few years off starting school yet. They keep me very busy!

• Ms Ruth Lucas
  Co-Opted Governor
  Ms Ruth Lucas

  My name is Ruth Lucas and I was appointed as a co-opted governor in July 2021 and am currently the curriculum link Governor.

  I work as a lecturer at the University of Nottingham, teaching on the Masters in Public Policy and the Masters in Public Administration. My PhD from the University of Sheffield and my own research concentrates on strategic management in the public sector, with a particular focus on leadership and skills development in social housing. I have a background in national and international politics, strategy development and policy, negotiating and lobbying.

  In my spare time I love going to the theatre, silversmithing and taking my dog for walks.

• Mrs Rebecca Keen
  Associate Member
  Mrs Rebecca Keen

  I am Becca and am associate governor here at William Levick. I have a little boy who is currently in year 1 here and loving it.
  
  I am a year 3 primary school teacher at a local school just across the border in Sheffield and have been teaching for ten years.
  
  When I am not teaching or being a mum I love sewing and building big Lego kits!

• Mrs Helen Peckett
  Interim Head Teacher
  Mrs Helen Peckett

  I am currently interim headteacher at William Levick and a key part of the governor team. I have worked at William Levick Primary School for the past 10 years and have several additional roles, such as DSL, leading science and I am mentor to our ECTs.

• Mrs Emma Youdan
  Staff Governor
  Mrs Emma Youdan

  My name is Emma Youdan and I am a staff governor. I have worked at William Levick for a number years as a Teaching Assistant and Higher Level Teaching Assistant providing cover for classes across all Key Stages.

  All three of my children have attended the school, but have now moved on to Dronfield Henry Fanshawe School.

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  TBC

• Ms Sue Millward,
  Clerk to Governors & Senior Business Officer
  Ms Sue Millward,

  My name is Sue Millward and I am delighted to be the Clerk to Governors for William Levick Primary School. I am the Senior Business Officer for the school and can be found in the school office. I am also the Paediatric First Aider for the school and regularly have the opportunity to interact with our lovely children and parents/carers.

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  TBC

• Jo Davis
  Co- Opted Governor
  Jo Davis

  I'm mum to Lucy who is in Year 6, I became a governor in 2024.

  I have been an active part of the school community since Lucy started in foundation as I am a PTA member. I'm a HR manager (although currently enjoying a career break).

• Ashley Sandalls
  Co- Opted Governor
  Ashley Sandalls

  I'm Ash Sandalls, and I am a parent governor, appointed in 2024. I have one daughter at the school.

  I have a background in Finance, working for 12 years for Vodafone across a range of commercial finance and finance data roles. More recently, I have been working for Capgemini, a global data and technology consultancy, working with private and public sector companies on data strategy, analytics and management projects.

• Mrs Jennifer Smith
  Deputy Head Teacher & SENDCo
  Mrs Jennifer Smith

  My name is Jenni. I am the assistant head teacher at William Levick. I teach in foundation Stage and have a passion for teaching in the early years. I am EYFS and KS1 leader and also the school's SENDCo and one of the DSLs. I have worked at William Levick for 5 years and love working for such a wonderful team.

• Jonny Pearce
  Co-Opted Governor
  Jonny Pearce

  Hello, I'm Jonny Pearce; I'm an associate governor at William Levick. I joined the school's governing body in 2024 when my daughter started school. My son will also hopefully be attending in a few years' time.

  Over the last 10 years I've worked in local government and am currently a Digital and Technology Programme Manager at Sheffield City Council.

  I've some background in education, and have a PGCE in Secondary Modern Foreign Languages; however, my main motivation for being a governor is to be involved in my local community and to support my children's school.