Governor Profiles

Jo Appleford-Cook

Coopted Governor

I joined the school in April 2021 as a co-opted Governor. Having been Editor of the Chineham Chat for over 5 years, I am thrilled to move into a role serving this wonderful local school more directly. I have two sons, one of who has graduated to Juniors after a wreaking a trail of havoc for three years, and the second starting in September '21.

Out there in real life I work in scientific publishing in a training role, specialising in informational and instructional design. I currently have remarkably little spare time for hobbies, but one day soon hope to resume as many nerdy pastimes as possible.

Jess Battle

Parent Governor

I became a parent governor in March 2021. 

I work as a Midwife; I have a son in Year 1 and a daughter who is 3.  I am always on the lookout for a great cup of coffee (strong, not too much milk), make a mean Lego-Princess-Castle-Racetrack-City and enjoy going to the gym when I am not doing all of the above!

Shirah Blackwood

Coopted Governor

I have been a co-opted governor of Four Lanes Infant School since May 2018 just before my eldest child started school. As well as being a governor I am also a mum of two children (and two rather demanding guinea pigs), a part-time solicitor and a church volunteer. I love being involved with our local community and especially helping towards the wellbeing and education of our little ones!

Andy Busk

Coopted Governor

(Chair of FGB)

Co-opted governor since April 2015 and became Chair of Governors in September 2021. I am a carpenter and run my own property maintenance company. 

I have two children. One in the infant school, and one who has now progressed to the junior school. 

I love to cook and think up recipes. I have an allotment and love to watch my plants grow badly. 

Pete Jeffreys

Parent Governor

I was elected as a parent governor in January 2022 and was previously a co-opted governor at another local school a few years ago. I am a primary school teacher in Reading with responsibility for computing, IT provision and online safety. We moved to the area in late 2020 and have two boys; the eldest of whom started in Reception in September 2021.

I am involved in volunteering with Scouts, being part of the Berkshire-wide team providing leadership, management and charity trusteeship in a number of areas. I will also shortly be completing a Doctorate of Education where my research focused on how using social media can affect parental engagement.

I am looking forward to getting more involved in supporting the school and look forward to meeting many more people involved in the school community.

Jacqui Mallaby

Headteacher

I have been headteacher at Four Lanes Infants since 2015 having taught at a number of different Basingstoke schools before then. I was born in North Yorkshire and lived there until my twenties when I moved to Basingstoke and met my husband Glen. Before teaching, I worked in the Geo-chemistry and IT industries for a number of years. I have one grown-up son called Ed and one dog called Harry. Outside of school I love being outdoors, taking Harry for walks, target shooting, baking and spending time with family.

Joe McHale

Local Authority Governor

Local Authority Governor, I've been a Governor for just over a year and am the Finance lead

In my day job I am an Accountant within the Civil Service

I have 2 daughters both at the school. Having 2 little girls means I now know rather more Disney songs than I used to, and can perform any song from Moana on request!

Gary Razzell

Coopted Governor

Co-Opted governor who joined in April 2015, and is a lead on Pupil Premium and Finance

Gary works in IT specialising in the digital workplace, collaboration and communication areas.

Gary is a cyclist, but the yellow jersey is under no threat as this is only a hobby which we’re all thankful of since the last accident cracked the helmet in half. Gary has 2 children and although neither of them attended Four Lanes infant’s School, his passion for the School’s success is clear.

Joy Vaughan

Staff Governor

Prior to working at Four Lanes I held the post of Office Manager at several IT companies, facilitating training, supporting work practise strategies and ensuring effective communication across teams. For 9 years I ran my own business delivering adult and baby singing classes, involving class teaching, planning, accounts and marketing as well as childminding.

Over my 9 years at Four Lanes Infants I have had the opportunity to work in a variety of roles such as class LSA, 1:1 support, HLTA, ELSA, Relax Kids Coach and Librarian. This has given me a wealth of hands on experience in each year group, supporting a range of needs of the children academically and emotionally. My experience throughout the school also affords me the opportunity to build relationships across school staff and gives me a good understanding of what happens in the classroom as well as behind the scenes.

I also support extra-curricular activities such as choir and recorder classes at school to enhance the children’s experience while with us.

Outside of my work life, I enjoy combining my lifelong involvement in uniformed youth activities with my passion for music and my background in theatre in order to support local productions. I am blessed with 4 wonderful children, an incredibly supportive hubby and 2 very chilled cats.

Helen Whiting

Coopted Governor

(Vice-Chair of FGB)

I have been a governor at Four Lanes Infants for nearly eight years, having started as a parent governor when my daughter was in Year R.  I am now a coopted governor and stepped down from Chair of Governors to Vice-Chair in September 2021.  I have learnt so much during this time, about both the joys and the challenges of working in education and it’s been a privilege to support the school’s leadership team through many changes.  I’m famously emotional, and still cannot sit through an infants’ Christmas performance without a sniffle.

Before I became a mum, I worked for many years in the pharmaceutical industry as an HR Manager.  These days, when I’m not out walking our little dog, I am a very enthusiastic amateur pianist, enjoy sewing and baking, am learning Tai Chi and have been known to while away an afternoon (or two) playing Super Mario.