Welcome to the Governors' section.
Great Staughton Primary Academy is part of The Diamond Learning Partnership Trust (TDLPT); an academic trust which was set up in the year of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. The Trust is currently made up of 14 schools: Middlefield, Winhills, Wintringham and Round House Primary Academies in St Neots, Thomas Eaton Primary Academy, Glebelands Primary Academy, Murrow Primary Academy, Leverington Primary Academy and Burrowmoor Primary Academy in Fenland, Braybrook in Peterborough, Roman Way and King James Academy in Royston and Kimbolton Primary Academy in Kimbolton , along with Great Staughton Primary Academy. This Trust is managed by a Board of Directors and each school has a Local Governing Body.
The board of governors exists to:
Our role is to ensure that Great Staughton Primary Academy constantly and consistently delivers on its visions and values: essentially, to ensure that every child achieves the highest possible standards through our relentless focus on high quality teaching and learning. Further information about the school’s visions and values can be found on the website.
The board of governors also oversees admission, staff employment and buildings management.
Our Local Governing Body has members elected or appointed as governors on behalf of the Trust. They are made up of parents, staff and the local community and they serve a term of four years. Governors can be re-elected/re-appointed at the end of their term for a further four year period. The Local Governing Body meets once each term.
Our governors include:
More information can be found here: https://diamondlearningtrust.com/teacher-type/directors-of-tdlpt/
All Enquiries:
Please contact Jackie Schad, Clerk to Governors
Tel: 01480 860743
Email: JSchad@diamondlearningtrust.com
Governor Biographies
Suzi Whiting (Executive Headteacher)
I decided I was going to be a teacher when I was 9 years old! I studied for my degree while working full-time and then completed the Graduate Teacher Programme in Peterborough. I worked in Peterborough for over 10 years, most latterly as Deputy Headteacher in a small village school. While there, I completed my National Award for Special Educational Needs Coordination and a received a Masters in Primary Education. During my time there, I had different opportunities to act up as Headteacher, helping to lead the school through OFSTED inspections and ongoing improvement.
In September 2014, I moved to Middlefield Primary Academy as Deputy Headteacher and soon onto Kimbolton Primary Academy and Great Staughton Primary Academy as Executive Headteacher. I am passionate that all children should receive a firm foundation to their learning journey and as such, our curriculum is broad, balanced and offers many different opportunities for children in music, the arts and sport as well as academia. Outside of school I am a mum and step-mum to three boys who keep me very busy. I enjoy keeping fit, travel, the theatre and reading.
Su' Thompson (Chair of LGB)
I am retired after many years working in science-based companies as a Facilities Manager and Heath, Safety and Environmental compliance specialist. I became involved in school governance when I retired because I was interested in doing something completely different and in my view, important.
I live quite away from the schools near St Ives. I came to the Trust via a volunteering scheme. The schools interested me because they were like the primary school I attended. Small schools are very important in rural communities.
I have a grown-up son. Currently I’m studying for a master's degree in Sustainable Food Systems. I like a challenge.
Gemma Bleakley (staff governor)
I have worked at Kimbolton Primary Academy since 2015, teaching Reception and KS1, before becoming the Assistant Head in 2021. Following maternity leave, I moved to Great Staughton Primary Academy as Assistant Head and Mercury Class teacher in 2024. I have enjoyed exploring a variety of roles throughout my time working for the DLPT including EYFS lead, PE lead and working as a Specialist Leader of Education. I enjoy continuing my professional development and have completed a Masters in Education and a National Primary Qualification for Leading Teaching in the last few years.
Jill Tickle (staff governor)
I became a governor for Kimbolton and Great Staughton Primary Academies back in 2016, my youngest daughter was starting at Great Staughton and my eldest daughter was in year 3. I really wanted to support the school so thought this was the ideal way to show that support. I started as a parent governor for my first term then swapped to a staff governor for my second term on the board. I love working with the children and staff members at both schools whilst supporting the school behind the scenes too by being on the Governing body. I have a number of roles within the schools including Jupiter class TA, Music lead and Forest school lead as my role as a staff governor.
Linda Fowler (community governor)
I have been part of the governing body since 2016, first as a Parent Governor when my daughter started at Great Staughton Primary Academy and more recently (since 2022) as a Community Governor. I just want to help support the school as best as I can. I am a skin scientist by day and by night I try to stop my daughter from learning about skin care products via TikTok and YouTube.
Beth Kempster (community governor)
I live in Great Staughton with my husband and daughter and dog called Colin. I currently work at a Finance Director for a Food Advertising Agency in Ampthill, and my hobbies are travelling (I have a campervan) and going to the gym.
Aaron Duddin (parent governor)
I recently moved to Great Staughton having fallen in love with the school and my eldest child enrolled in reception class in summer 2022.
I am an experienced senior executive and entrepreneur with a demonstrated history of business development, strategy and ops delivery in the IOT, RFID and emerging technology markets.
Currently my role entails heading up the Track & Trace division of Paragon ID, part of the Paragon Group. This includes being the CEO and General Manager of 4 global IOT solutions businesses located in the UK, France, Spain and the USA, delivering traceability solutions in the Healthcare, logistics, pharmaceutical and Oil and Gas markets. In addition I have also held roles as Head of Marketing, Business development and Strategy for Paragon ID UK following the successful acquisition of my previous business in which I was an owner and managing director.
Prior to entering the world of IOT and technology, I worked in the sports marketing industry specialising in sponsorship consulting and marketing activation, working with sports teams including the England football, cricket and rugby teams as well as on global campaigns for major brands like Coca-Cola’s sponsorship of the London 2012 Olympics and the World Cup in South Africa.
Skilled in Strategy, Digital Transformation, Management, Marketing and sponsorship. Strong information technology professional with a Master of Laws (LLM) from The Nottingham Trent University and BSc is Sports Technology from Loughborough University
Hannah Arnott (parent governor)
My name is Hannah and I have been a primary school teacher for 12 years. I have two children at KPA and therefore have a vested interest in ensuring the school is a safe, supportive and inclusive place for all. I enjoy being part of the governing body and part of such a wonderful school!
Rebecca Martin (parent governor
I have had a varied career to date, spanning c.15 years of roles in production, events, and education working in both commercially focussed and non-for profit teams. During this time, I have worked extensively for membership organisations predominately in financial services and financial risk sectors but more recently within healthcare. My experience has also extended to production companies and organisations that sit outside of professional bodies.
I joined the Royal College of Surgeons of England in July 2019 as Head of Learning Innovation and have a wonderful team dedicated to designing and delivering learning - ensuring that the learner is at the heart of learning design and technological advances.
I am passionate about ensuring that where we have the platform we are lifting others and working towards a more equitable world. As part of my role at the Royal College of Surgeons I have been fortunate to lead a number of Equity and Diversity initiatives supporting parents, women and minority groups work towards parity in a professional that has quite traditional stereotypes.
I now also work as a coach empowering women and parents to succeed in leadership positions, career and life goals.