Governors
Hayley Stacey – Co-Chair of Govenors
I joined the governing body in April 2019, becoming Chair of the Resources Committee later that year. In September 2023 I took on the role of Co-Chair of the Governing Body.
I have been a part of the Oliver’s Battery parent community since 2015, with my eldest daughter recently moving up to Kings after spending all of her primary school years at Oliver's Battery. I am extremely proud to be part of such a fantastic school community and to support a school where both of my children have enjoyed such a positive and enriching experience.
I have worked as a CIPD qualified HR Business Partner and HR Project Manager both in the UK and overseas. My experience covers areas such as employment law, recruitment, performance management, learning and development and restructuring. My current employment is with a Winchester based software company who produce library software for schools across the country.
As well as my role as a governor, I also enjoy volunteering in the school as a librarian. It is so rewarding to spend time with the children who are always so enthusiastic and engaging.
Oliver's Battery is a wonderful school where a passion for learning is clearly evident from both the staff and children. I hope in my role as governor and co-Chair I can support the school as it continues to improve and ensure the best possible outcomes for all children.
Linda Courtney - Co-Chair of Govenors
I have been a governor at this wonderful school since 2022 and I have thoroughly enjoyed my involvement in all the school does for the children, parents, carers, and community.
I have three children; all were educated in the Winchester area so giving something back to the local community has been my reason for getting involved in the governor experience.
Living locally, I am very fortunate to be involved with such a warm, encouraging, and supportive school. Getting to know the staff and governors has been a delight and has made it easy to get to know education again (my children are many years out of school)
My career within financial services mean my skills and knowledge are broad and cover a wide area. I am pleased to say I have been able to use this experience within the governor role and hopefully, as we move forward, within the co-chair role. I am also the Safeguarding Governor, which is extremely interesting and I am a member of the School Improvement Committee.
In my spare time I travel a lot, I love my garden and I read a lot too, although most of my time is spent with family, grandchildren and friends.
Alan Jordan
I am approaching my eighth year as a governor at Oliver’s Battery, during this time I have seen the school move from a rundown, poorly performing school that nobody wanted to come to, to what you see today, a bright friendly school that is one of the best performing in the area. Prior to moving to the Oliver’s Battery area I was a governor in both primary and secondary schools in the north of the county where I was also a teacher.
Outside governance I work in theatre and tourism plus the current day job that combines previous careers in medicine and policing.
Becky Morris – Parent Governor
I have twin girls who are attend the school and really enjoy it!
I am also a teacher at a local primary school, currently teaching Year 4. I love working with children and helping them to understand the world around them. I understand the many challenges faced in primary education and hope to use this knowledge to help support the school to become the best it can be.
In my spare time I enjoy sport and, before becoming a parent, I was a keen cricketer, playing for the local women's team. I love the idea getting children as active as possible, especially outside, and am a firm believer that there is no such thing as bad weather - just bad clothing!
Cathy Farrand
I became a parent governor in 2021 and have three daughters who love their time at Oliver’s Battery Primary and Nursery School. I have worked in the pension industry as an investment consultant before taking a career break to look after my family.
Despite no previous experience in the education sector, my interest has grown since my children started school. I want to help support Oliver’s Battery to continue to provide a happy, safe and equitable environment where all pupils have the opportunity to thrive.
In my spare time I love to travel with my family, both in the UK and further afield. I also enjoy sports including running and playing golf and if there’s a good song playing you can usually find me dancing to it.
Kearia Yau
I joined the Board of Governors in March 2022.
I am retired and have lived in Winchester since 2019 when I returned to England after spending 25 years working overseas in banking and finance. My daughter has just completed her degree at the local university and has set her sights on becoming a teacher. She has taught me that the early years are the most vital in nurturing a love of learning in a child. Since I benefitted greatly from the kindness of teachers as a young boy, I would like to repay the thoughtfulness that I encountered all those years ago, by bringing my experience of a different environment to contribute meaningfully to the development of young students at the school.
For recreation, my wife and I like to hike local trails. I also enjoy tennis and the very occasional visit to the gym.
Jason Hemsted
I joined the Olivers Battery Nursery and Primary School community as a co-opted governor in October 2022 having returned to England with my family after being abroad for over 25 years. I have enjoyed all of my visits to the school, listening to and speaking with the students and teachers about what is important to them and their learning and teaching experiences at school.
My career has been in education since qualifying as a secondary teacher at Oxford in 1996. I've been fortunate to have worked in both public and private education in Canada, Turkey, and Hong Kong since then. I've had a number of roles from being a classroom teacher at each key stage in the UK and abroad, to being an educational consultant, owning a private tutorial company, serving as a government education officer, and presently, working in Children's Services at Hampshire County Council. I live in Winchester with my wife and three daughters, who attend Kings School, The Westgate School and Peter Symonds College, respectively, and enjoy living, learning and working here very much. I look forward to being a small part of the continued growth, improvement, and success of Olivers Battery Primary School.
Christine O'Dea
I have recently joined Oliver’s Battery Primary school as a co-opted Governor. I have lived in Winchester for over 20 years and my three daughters were all educated here.
My career has been working with children and families as a nurse and Health visitor for over 40 years. I've worked in inner city London and across various locations in Hampshire. I believe every child deserves to grow up in a safe, stable, loving home and that we all have a role to help and support children and their families and carers to achieve this. I have recent experience of holding a senior leadership role in children’s safeguarding within a local health trust and I am keen to continue being involved in this area as a safeguarding governor.
In my spare time I enjoy travelling both at home and abroad, catching up with friends, cooking, going for long walks and playing with my two adorable but active grandsons.
Malcolm Robinson – Parent Governor
I took on the role of parent governor in December 2024. I am keen to support the school in its continuous evolution and to play a role in ensuring it can maintain high levels of child development in all areas of the curriculum.
I have two boys who are thoroughly enjoying their experience at Oliver's Battery and I hope to be able to ensure they and their classmates can get the best educational experience.
I work within the engineering side of broadcasting and have experience in both senior managerial and operational roles. I hope that this opportunity can enable me to share this knowledge in an educational environment and support the full time staff in all that they do.
I am personally a very keen outdoors person and you will regularly see us out and about on our bikes, trying to give the boys as diverse life experience as possible.
Peter Ironside – Parent Governor
I became a parent governor at Oliver’s Battery Primary School in January 2025 because I wanted to support the school community that plays such a vital role in children’s education. With two children currently attending, I have seen first hand the nurturing environment and dedication of the staff in helping every child thrive and I’m keen to contribute to this further.
Being part of the governing body is a privilege and I look forward to working alongside staff, parents, and fellow governors to ensure Oliver’s Battery remains a place where children are happy, engaged, and excited to learn. My professional background is in technology and I hope to use my experience to support the school’s continued growth and success. In my spare time, I enjoy trying to keep fit, sports, music and all things history related!
Stacey King - Staff Governor
I have been part of the school community for 30 years since my eldest daughter started school here. I have worked within the school for 20 years, starting as a parent volunteer, then a lunchtime supervisor and now in the school office. I really enjoy this role, especially working with the lovely children and staff and getting to know all the parents. I am hoping that my many years of involvement with the school will mean that I am a helpful addition to the governing body of this wonderful school.
Parent Questionnaire
Governor Declaration Information
Name | Start Date | End Date | Name of Business | Nature of Business | Nature of Interest | Date of Appointment or Acquisition | Date of Cessation of Interest |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hayley Stacey | 13/05/2019 | 12/07/2024 | HARRAP ICT/Libresoft | IT Support/Software | Employment | 04/10/2021 |