Membership of the Academy Committee (ID 1269)

• Mrs Sarah Skillern
  Head of School
  Mrs Sarah Skillern

  I joined Great Bentley Primary School as Headteacher in September 2024.

  Throughout my teaching career, I have enjoyed teaching and leading across the primary age range from 3 to 11 years in a variety of schools, small and large, rural and urban, independent and maintained in Suffolk, Kent and Cambridgeshire. I gained a Masters in Education in 2006, and my NPQH in 2008. I have experience of leading a range of subject areas including Maths, Art, English, French and Computing; I enjoy all areas of school life, but have a particular passion for languages, having trained originally as a Primary French specialist and worked for the Local Authority as an MFL Advisory Support Teacher, supporting various schools across Suffolk during my early career.

  I am committed and driven to lead the school as it begins to grows from 210 pupils to a larger 2-form entry Primary School. Throughout this period of expansion, I am passionate about maintaining the inclusive and nurturing ethos of the school, and working with pupils, families and staff to drive the school forward to ensure all strive to be the best they can be.

  I have a wonderful family, and enjoy walking the dog and visits to the theatre at the weekends. My grown-up sons are both teachers (it's always good to know you haven't completely put your children off pursuing a profession!) and my husband also works in IT & Data in schools.

• Mrs Joanne Herbert (Chair)
  Trust Academy Committee Member - 01/09/23 - 31/08/27
  Mrs Joanne Herbert (Chair)

  I have been a Governor and now Academy CommitteeMember for many years. I feel deeply that Gt Bentley Primary School is an anchor point of our village. By being on the Academy Committee, I learn about how our children are taught and get an opportunity to witness the ever evolving education landscape, our dedicated teaching and support staff work around, to allow our children every opportunity available to them now and in their onward journey.

• Mr Kevin Plummer (Vice Chair)
  Trust Academy Committee Member - 01/09/23 - 31/08/27
  Mr Kevin Plummer (Vice Chair)

• Mrs Mary Barber
  Trust Academy Committee Member - 01/09/23 - 31/08/27
  Mrs Mary Barber

  My background is in primary education working in schools in East London, Essex and Thurrock. I also spent the last four years of my career working as a Personal Tutor for an Initial Teacher Training College. It is a wonderful opportunity to be involved in the education of young children again and I am grateful to the staff and children at Great Bentley for making me so welcome.

• Mr Luke Edwards
  Trust Academy Committee Member - 01/09/23 - 31/08/27
  Mr Luke Edwards

  I’ve previously been a Governor at Great Bentley for many years and now a member of the Academy Committee. I’m deeply committed to providing Great Bentley’s pupils with the best possible experience whilst at the school so they can learn, develop and thrive.

  Working in a corporate environment, it’s so refreshing and energising to be able to play an active role at Great Bentley Primary, I always get the sense the whole building is alive whenever I get the chance to visit. Having previously been a Parish Councillor for many years I’m passionate about Great Bentley’s community and the School is really at the heart of it.

• Mr Henry Fairbanks
  Trust Academy Committee Member - 01/09/23 - 31/08/27
  Mr Henry Fairbanks

  I am a proud East Anglian at heart. I have 1 child currently at Great Bentley Primary School and two elder children who also previously attended.

  My career has been in hospitality that dates back more than 20 years, primarily in the pub sector, working for such notable groups as – Enterprise Inns, Realpubs, Metropolitan Pub Company, Heineken UK & Adnams. I am now proud to be COO of ‘Chesnut’ since 2020 - the opportunity to join the Philip Turner led group to oversee its growth was an incredibly rare opportunity.

• Mrs Louise Eastbrook
  Staff Academy Committee Member - 01/09/24 - 31/08/28
  Mrs Louise Eastbrook

  I am extremely proud to join the team at Great Bentley Primary School as Assistant Head and SENCO. I completed a BSc (Hons) in Childhood and Science at the University of Durham, and moved to Essex to start my teaching career.

  Prior to joining Great Bentley Primary, I have enjoyed teaching and leading across the primary age range from 3 to 11 years in a variety of schools in Essex.

  I have a wonderful family, and enjoy walking our dog, swimming and dancing. I attend my local church regularly where I also lead Sunday School.

• Mrs Vicki Brooks
  Parent Academy Committee Member - 06/12/23 - 05/12/27
  Mrs Vicki Brooks

  I am a parent of two children, the eldest of which has recently started at the school.

  I am keen to support and contribute to the school as a Parent Academy Committee Member. I strongly believe that the right opportunities, experience and guidance at a young age really helps to shape a child’s future. Starting the role of Parent Academy Committee Member in January 2023 role, I am thoroughly looking forward to the challenge and working with the school to help in all aspects.

• Mrs Mel Milburn
  Parent Academy Committee Member - 06/12/23 - 05/12/27
  Mrs Mel Milburn

  I am a mother of two, my eldest currently at Great Bentley Primary School and enjoy family days out, performance arts and playing netball.

  I am very passionate about the education children receive and as a primary school teacher myself, I feel I have a lot to offer but even more to learn. I have always had a particular love for teaching English and I'm committed to leading the development of phonics and writing approaches in my current teaching role.

  I am keen to support the school to continue their ‘outstanding’ path to provide all of our children with an educational journey that will inspire them, allow them to fulfil their potential and give them lasting happy memories of their school days. My husband and I love being able to bring our children up in a village that has such a caring and strong community spirit. Volunteering as a parent committee member is my way of contributing to our community that we’ve come to appreciate so much.

• Emma Newstead
  Trust Academy Committee Member- 22/02/25- 21/02/29
  Emma Newstead

  As someone who grew up in the village and went to Great Bentley Primary School, I am passionate about giving back to our community and ensuring young people today have great opportunities. I have worked for a non formal education charity for nearly two decades and understand the importance of early education and so am excited to be involved in the primary school as an Academy Committee member to help the young people at the school to be GREAT!

• Patrick Murphy
  Trust Academy Committee Member- 22/02/25 - 21/02/29
  Patrick Murphy

  I am a parent to one child who recently started Great Bentley Primary School and next year my second child will also start. I am very much looking forward to being part of the Academy Commitee and hope my involvement will have a positive impact within the comittee and school as a whole.

  My background has been in the construction industry for the last 15 years with a large amount of the projects I have managed being within the education sector. I am the Commercial Director of a large construction company and have a big passion for promoting this industry into the school set-up and the need for pupils to take an interest in the fantastic trades and opportunities we have in the sector.