Welcome, on behalf of the Governors of Oakbridge Federation

I would like to extend a warm welcome to the Oakbridge Federation. We have two schools in our Federation; Forster Park and Rangefield both share the Federations Vision.

The Federation has one Board of Governors. The Board has a strategic role and does not focus on the day-to-day running of the schools, that is undertaken by the Senior Leadership Team led by the Executive Headteacher. Governors have responsibility for the strategic leadership and organisation of the schools and an oversight of their performance, and we have statutory responsibilities for example safeguarding and health and safety. The Board meets once a term and there are also sub-committees of the Board that focus on more specific areas such as resources, standards, and achievements. The Board of Governors act as a collective when making decisions, in order to enable this, we have Governors from many different personal and professional backgrounds, please have a look at our pen portraits below.

The schools have skillful, hardworking members of staff who are dedicated to ensuring that our children receive an education of the highest quality, in a safe and inspirational learning environments.  We are all passionate about giving our children a wide variety of opportunities and experiences, so that we can equip them with the skills they need to progress through to secondary school and into life.

Laura Fox

Chair of Governors

Oakbridge Federation

Meet the Governors of Oakbridge Federation

Laura Fox - Chair of Governors

Laura was co-opted on to the Board of Governors in November 2022. She is a member of the Resources Committee and the Link-Governor for Health and Safety for both the Forster Park and Rangefield campuses.

Laura has a passion for the creative arts and their importance within education; having herself gained her Bachelor of Arts (Hons) from York St John College in Theatre, Film and Television, with the strong view that in order to succeed in any academic subjects or future prospects, children should be encouraged to be creative in their approach to learning so that in adult life, they can respond to challenges with a diverse way of thinking.

Laura has spent the last decade working in operational and compliance roles, specialising in recruitment, in a host of sectors including charity and digital technology. She currently heads the compliance and operations functions for a well-known digital recruiter in the city of London. As part of this leadership role, she is responsible for facilities, health and safety and business management. Her compliance accountabilities cover contract management, GDPR, right to work and ensuring that all government, legislative and procedural guidelines are understood and complied with throughout the organisation. 

Adrienne Jones - Vice Chair of Governors for Forster Park

I have been a co-opted Governor with the Oakbridge Federation since 2013, with a particular interest in the curriculum. During this time the two schools within the Federation – Rangefield and Forster Park, have grown from strength to strength. This is due, principally, to a well-led Senior Leadership Team, enthusiastic staff and the committed support of the Governing Body.

My background has always been in education. From my early days in the primary classroom, as a Primary Advisor and, later, as an Education Officer with Channel 4 Schools, I have been associated with schools and teachers in either an advisory, training or support capacity. At Teachers TV, I managed a team of Regional CPD Advisers whose role was to promote professional development. I currently work with trainee teachers, supporting their progress in becoming qualified.

The Governors had the privilege of appointing the Executive Headteacher to build on the work that the inspirational Senior Leadership Teams have established. I am pleased to be involved in such caring learning environments and grateful to have been linked with Forster Park’s metamorphosis to the beautiful building it is now and the ‘good’ judgement awarded from a recent Ofsted inspection. Rangefield continues to sustain its ‘Outstanding’ status, working hard through its creative curriculum to encourage ‘outstanding’ writing.

When I have had the opportunity to take a ‘learning walk’ round either of the schools, I am both amazed and delighted at the engagement of the pupils with their learning and the level of articulate thinking they reflect. Both schools provide an environment that is conducive to this and where the pupils are motivated to make more than expected progress. Both schools also successfully guide children to make the right choices, thereby building resilience and supporting well-being. As a Governor, I welcome the development of these qualities.

I would like the children in the Oakbridge Federation to achieve the best they possibly can and leave us happy, successful, confident and guided by a strong moral compass.

Helen Robinson - Vice Chair of Governors for Rangefield

Helen is a financial services industry professional, with over 10 years experience working for a range of banks to implement regulatory change. She has been working at Barclays Bank since 2017, where she has working on regulation and strategy. More recently, she has been focused on climate and sustainability, helping the bank to develop and implement its climate and sustainability strategy. 

She has been a co-opted governor for the Oakbridge Federation since 2020. She is passionate about the power of education to change a child's circumstances, and the value of schools to shape children into compassionate, ambitious, self-confident individuals. In 2022, Helen also became the vice-chair for Rangefield and chair of Resources. 

Kerry Lynch - Co-Opted Governor

I live in south-east London and work as a Mental Health Solicitor.

Before becoming a solicitor, I worked as a care assistant to children and adults with learning disabilities for nearly 5 years, working as part of a team which encouraged those we cared for to be independent, to develop new skills and to have fun.

My work in this area led me to qualify as a solicitor practising in an area of law which supports vulnerable people who have mental health issues. In my role I provide legal advice, support and representation to people accessing mental health services in the community or detained in hospital on section under the Mental Health Act.

I have a passion for education and the opportunities it can provide, not just through learning but also through the skills we develop, the friendships and the experiences that we have in our formative years. As a governor I want to give back to the community and help ensure that our children’s education is the best it can be.

Sherene Olusesi - Co-opted Governor

Sherene Olusesi is a Senior Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist and EMDR therapist. Sherene has over 12 years experience assessing and treating common and severe mental health problems. Sherene is born and raised in Lewisham and has a passion for helping others.

She has worked in a range of NHS mental health services. Other roles have included working as a Mental Health Advisor within the Counselling Service in Kings College London offering psychological support to both staff and students presenting with emotional difficulties. She has also worked in an Early Intervention in Psychosis Service with young people aged between 18-25 experiencing their first episode of Psychosis. Sherene supported service users to reintegrate to the community following a mental health crisis or hospital admission.

Sherene specialises in Student Mental Health and has extensive experience working with students in Higher Education. She has worked in Counselling services at Kings College London and University of Arts. Sherene enjoys working with a range of anxiety disorders such as low self-esteem, stress management, social phobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic, specific phobias and depression. She has a particular focus on promoting emotional wellbeing by developing resilience and effective coping strategies to improve one’s quality of life. She has also worked in a pupil referral unit offering psychological therapy to students with complex emotional needs.

At present, she supervises the psychological therapy provision in one of the Primary Care Mental Health Teams in Lewisham.

William Barber - Co-opted Governor

William is passionate about education and social mobility, and he previously served as an external trustee for the LSE Students’ Union. During his time on the trustee board, William collaborated with other trustees, student leaders and staff on the organisation’s strategy. Professionally, William is a communications professional with over 15 years’ experience working in financial services, renewable energy and the automotive sector.

William has lived in Lewisham for over ten years and has a strong connection to the local community. Alongside his professional career, he has supported several charities in the area and is keen to contribute his skills and experience to organisations that have a positive impact locally.

Tahlia Simpson - Parent Governor

I am a proud mum of two very different children, one of whom has additional needs. Navigating parenthood in the neurodiverse space has given me a deep understanding of the importance of inclusive,
adaptive, and supportive education, particularly for children with additional needs. Outside of family life, I enjoy spending time in nature, travelling, eating far too much chocolate cake, and getting lost in a good crime thriller novel.

I have been self-employed for a number of years, giving me the flexibility to wear many hats and combine my work in the property industry with antenatal and postnatal family support, alongside a little event planning in between. My roles in both the property and family support sectors have given me invaluable experience supporting people through some of the most important and often challenging stages of their lives. I also hold a BSc in Psychology and Criminology and am partial to the occasional crime documentary.

The wellbeing and education of my children are at the heart of everything I do, and I believe my experiences can help support other children and families to reach their full potential. I am passionate about helping every child feel understood, valued, and supported throughout their education in a way that recognises and embraces their individual needs. I am particularly keen to strengthen communication and engagement between parents and the school federation, helping to bridge the gap so that families feel
informed, involved in their children’s education, and valued as part of the wider school community.

I am often described as highly committed to everything I take on, with a strong work ethic, resilience, and a compassionate approach to supporting others. I have fresh ideas to bring to the federation and look forward to working collaboratively to help ensure it continues to grow and thrive for all children.

Marisha Lindo - Staff Governor

Marisha Lindo has worked at Oakbridge federation for 10 years. She has been a co-opted and staff governor since 2016. Marisha has seen many changes take place from through the eyes of a staff governor as well as a Rangefield parent. She is committed to being part of a collaborative Governing body ensuring that pupils outcomes are prioritised and senior leadership are challenged when necessary.

Marisha is passionate about children’s learning and ensuring that resources are used to their full potential.  As a Finance Manager and recently qualified School Business Manager she brings her school experience to the Governing body and is able to give insight on parental feedback and engagement.

Marisha has worked across both Forster Park and Rangefield schools.  Having her own daughter at the federation has led her to become more invested in school policies, operations of the school and management. Although her daughter has moved on to secondary school, she is still committed to ensuring that the federation is providing the very best education for children’s futures - ultimately helping to improve the wider community.

Zoe Sharp - Staff Governor

Zoe Sharp has worked at Rangefield Primary School for nearly six years, gaining valuable experience leading both Key Stage One and Key Stage Two.  Currently, she teaches Year 3 and leads the writing curriculum for Key Stage Two.

This marks her second term as a Staff Governor, building on four years of prior experience in this role. Zoe is currently spearheading initiatives centred on school culture and behaviour for learning, striving to create an environment where every child feels valued and empowered to succeed. Her commitment to fostering a positive school is driven by the belief that a supportive culture enhances both teaching and learning outcomes.

As a Staff Governor, Zoe aims to continue collaborating with colleagues, parents, and the wider community to advance the school’s vision for excellence in education. She is passionate about ensuring that all voices are heard in the decision-making process and is dedicated to promoting the best interests of all pupils.