Governors and Governance

DECLARATION OF BUSINESS INTERESTS AND OTHER GOVERNANCE INFORMATION

Susan Hoath, CHAIR OF GOVERNORS, CO-OPTED GOVERNOR

Susan grew up in the North East of England and arrived in Bedfordshire (via East London) at the start of the Century. She worked in the NHS for many years, designing and improving local and community services, and has spent the last 10 years in senior roles leading independent charities, predominantly in the disability sector but also covering health, social care, education and community arts.    

Mother of two young adults, Susan brings previous experience as a Chair of a Governing Body and supporting a school through both everyday challenges and strategic change and is delighted to be able to do so again now working with the Knowledge Schools Trust.   

Term of office three years. Appointed January 2025.

Natalie Nilletti, PARENT GOVERNOR

Natalie was elected as a Parent Governor for Wixams Tree Primary Academy, in July 2023. A primary school teacher herself, Natalie studied at Roehampton University in London, graduating in 2009 with a BA (Hons) degree in Primary Education with Physical Education.

Natalie has taught for over 15 years, working in schools in both Luton and Ampthill. She has a wealth of experience teaching across the primary age phases and leading and designing curriculum provision, in different subject areas.

Natalie has two young daughters that attend, Wixams Tree Primary Academy. Over the last 3 years, she has seen the positive journey that the school has gone on, since joining the Knowledge Schools Trust. As a Parent Governor, Natalie cares passionately about the education and provisions for all children. She hopes to support the school and the parent community, as Wixams Tree, continues to go from strength to strength.

In her spare time, Natalie is a keen runner and attends the gym regularly. With her husband, she recently completed a Hyrox fitness race, in London, and is currently training for her next race in May.

Term of office four years. Appointed July 2024.

Ester Truter, STAFF GOVERNOR

Ester was born in South Africa and completed her schooling in 2007 at the University of North West where she received her degree in Education. She moved to the UK in 2008 and started her teaching career in London. Ester has a great passion for working in the early years sector, hence having worked in day nurseries as a teacher and in a primary school setting based in East London.

She is currently working at Wixams Tree Primary Academy as the Pre School teacher and Geography subject lead. As part of Ester’s role as Pre School teacher, she is responsible for implementing phase 1 phonics to lay the foundation for excellence in reading and writing.   She facilitates multiple parent workshops across the year to support the parents understanding of the early years curriculum and to empower them to support their child at home. 

She prides herself in promoting a diverse, dynamic and creative learning experiences for all children through inclusive and hands on real live experiences within the classroom setting. 

Term of office three years. Appointed December 2024.

Beth Emerson, STAFF GOVERNOR

Beth graduated from the University of Bedfordshire in 2019 and worked in a small village school up until joining Bedford Road Primary Academy in January 2025. She has a passion for education, completing her NPQSL in December 2024, mentoring a variety of university students and was the staff governor at her previous school for the last 5 years.

In the past, she has led a range of subjects including PE, art, science, reading, phonics and EYFS and has taught across all key stages. She strives to bring creativity and excitement to all areas of the curriculum and enjoys creating an open and friendly classroom that encourages all children to challenge themselves and take pride in their learning. 

Term of office three years. Appointed February 2025.

Richard Ward, CO-OPTED GOVERNOR

Richard grew up in Leicester, where his family has deep roots, although a quirk of fate meant he was born in Oxfordshire. Like both his parents and all his grandparents, he was educated wholly in the state sector, graduating with a BSc (Hons) from Newcastle University before joining the Civil Service.

Working initially in local offices of the Employment Department, Richard spent the majority of his career in the Department for Education, focussing on further education generally – and for his final twelve years – on prison education in particular. He was awarded an OBE in 2016 for his work in prison education. 

All three of Richard’s children attended Bedford Road (and Robert Bruce and Hastingsbury) and he has two grandchildren at the school now, with a third expected to attend in due course. Richard has had a variety of roles as a Governor at the school since 1992.  

Term of office three years. Appointed March 2024.

Hywel Jones, CO-OPTED GOVERNOR

Hywel has worked at an Executive Leadership level for Multi-Academy Trusts for the past 6 years focusing on secondary school improvement and financial sustainability. Prior to this Hywel was Headteacher of the West London Free School from 2014-2018 and has taught history and politics for 20 years.  Hywel served as a Non-Executive Director for Ofqual, the qualifications regulator, from 2017-22 and chaired its Enforcement Committee. 

Prior to working in education, Hywel worked as a consultant providing strategic advice to clients in the sports industry. Hywel studied International Relations at the London School of Economics and at Pembroke College, University of Cambridge. 

Hywel spends his weekends with his three children and enjoys walking, cycling, and fishing. 

Term of office one year. Appointed March 2024.