Governors (ID 1315)

• Nicky Everett
  Chair of Governors
  Nicky Everett

  I currently work as a Director of Education for a local academy trust. I have previously worked as a Headteacher and as such I am passionate about Education and ‘Unlocking Potential’ in children and young people. This is my first role as a school governor, although I have lots of experience working with governing bodies and I am enjoying learning lots about the differences of Special Education compared to mainstream. My most important job however, is being Mum to two daughters, one of whom has additional needs, so I understand the value and importance of the right support at the right time. I have grown up in this area and am proud to be a part of the Castledon community, committing to ensuring Castledon School offers our pupils the best possible education and opportunities to prepare them for their future.

• Sally Watkinson
  Vice Chair of Governors
  Sally Watkinson

  I worked for a number of years as a Child and Family Social Worker and Team Manager in various roles with experience in child protection and looked after children. I am now retired but have retained my passion about ensuring that every child has the right to reach their full potential in a safe, nurturing environment.

• Vicky Thomas
  Staff Governor
  Vicky Thomas

  My journey with Castledon has spanned over 11 fulfilling years. As a teacher in the Sixth Form, my focus has been on empowering young minds with essential life skills, striving to make these skills practical for our students. Additionally, I teachPSHE, equipping students to make informed life choices.As a mentor for both new and existing Teaching Assistants I provide ongoing training and support to these valuable team members.

• Nicky Howard-Ravenspine
  Parent Governor
  Nicky Howard-Ravenspine

  Passionate about civil rights and fairness, I bring extensive experience to my role as a school governor.As a parent,I've witnessed first-hand Castledon's effective support for young people, understanding the impact of bespoke pathways for students with SEND.Retiring in 2017 from my position as an IT Team Leader at a city law firm, I've dedicated myself to supporting neurodivergent children, addressing issues like gender, ADHD, and anxiety.

  As a parent governor, I'm a relentless champion for young peoples rights, ensuring their voices are not just heard but respected. With a unique blend of personal experience and professional expertise, I'm committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for all students at Castledon.

• Rebecca Langley
  Rebecca Langley

  As a Deputy Headteacher in a local primary school, I am extremely passionate about enabling all pupils to reach their full potential and to thrive in a supportive environment. I strongly believe that the school motto, ‘Unlocking Potential’ is key to our role as educators in preparing children for their future. I have teaching experience across all primary year groups and in schools in very different social circumstances, working alongside children with a variety of needs. I pride myself on building strong relationships with different stakeholders, always putting the child at the centre of decisions made. In my own school I work alongside the Headteacher and the Local Authority to drive forward rapid improvement and ensure the very best outcomes for all pupils. Being a trustee at Castledon provides a real opportunity to share best practice between two schools with very different backgrounds and issues.

• Shungu M'gadzah
  Shungu M'gadzah

  Dr Shungu M’gadzah has more than 30 years of experience since qualifying as an educational psychologist in 1990. She is a Psychology, Diversity and Inclusion Consultant and has a Doctorate in Emotional Intelligence. Her career includes working for 8 years in Higher Education teaching Post-graduate MSc Educational Psychology Students. She has over 30 years of experience working with young people and adults with learning disabilities, communication disorders and mental health problems.

  Dr Shungu has University degrees from Tavistock Clinic, Goldsmiths College - London, University of East London and Westminster University. She has worked as a psychologist within health, education and independent special schools.

  Dr Shungu has been appointed to a number of consultant posts, including Head of Special Educational Needs and Disability. She holds board level experience and is the co-founder of Psychologists on Boards. She has Chaired a number of Committees including the British Psychological Society's Division for Education and Child Psychologists.

  Dr Shungu is the creator of the Six Stages Conceptual Framework for Understanding and Dealing with Racism and other forms of discrimination designed for individuals and organisations.

• Louise Wall
  Louise Wall

  I have been a History teacher in a Zenith Trust secondary school for over 20 years and SENCO for over 16 years. I am passionate about ensuring all students and staff are supported to reach their potential.

  I visited Casteldon prior to them joining our Trust and I was so impressed with everything I saw that I am now excited to be joining the governing body to support the great work being done.

  In my role as SENCO I work alongside a number of professionals in schools, the local authority and health and social care. I also work across the schools in our Trust leading the SEND Community of Practice and will bring these skills and experiences to the role.

• Joel Shaljean
  Joel Shaljean

  I lead a whole-school approach to behaviour and wellbeing called Therapeutic Thinking Essex and have been a teachersince the mid-1990s. I started in mainstream education then moved to Special Education in 2010, taking up a position as Deputy Headteacher in a similar setting to Castledon in the north of the county. I am passionate about finding solutions for children with complex needs and am employed by the Essex Special Schools Trust to support schools to do this. I also train staff to facilitate this training in their own settings. I support schools with issues to do with policy and planning around developing school culture and inclusion. I have been a trustee at Castledon for four years now and enjoy having the opportunity to support the development of the school in my role.

• Darren Burnett
  Darren Burnett

  I am a dedicated professional with extensive experience in the security field, driven by a commitment to ensuring safety and protection within my community. Alongside my career, I am a proud parent of five neurodivergent children, which has profoundly shaped my perspective on diversity and inclusivity. This personal journey has fuelled my advocacy for creating supportive environments that embrace the unique strengths and challenges of every individual.

  I am passionate about raising awareness of sepsis, particularly in children, and actively engage in fundraising efforts throughout the year. Our goal is to support vital research and provide assistance to children living with the effects of sepsis. This combination of professional dedication and personal advocacy underpins my commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive school environment.