The Free School Norwich

The Free School Norwich Board of Governors

Paul Bourgeois is the Chair of Governors at The Free School Norwich. He is the owner of Zero Carbon Britain Ltd and currently works as Assistant Programme Manager for the Grants4Growth programme. Paul has been active in the environmental sector for over 20 years and has brought about innovative and award winning carbon reduction schemes. He has also worked for local government and regional development agencies and has a Masters degree from the UEA. He is an Eco-Schools Green Flag Assessor and trustee of the Association of Environment Conscious Builders. Paul is married with two children.

Markella Papageorgiou is the Vice Chair of Governors at the Free School Norwich. Since completing her BA and a post graduate degree at the UEA, Markella has worked as a Human Resources professional in Financial Services and local government. Markella is originally from Greece, but has lived in the UK in Norwich for the last 25 years. She spends her time working and bringing up two children, while at the same time pursuing her interests in history, classical literature, military aviation, and more recently, swimming and fitness training. She is passionate about all children’s development and committed to making the Free School Norwich a success.

Tania Sidney-Roberts established The Free School Norwich in 2011 and is the Principal of the school. She studied English at Leeds University and then trained as a teacher at Cambridge University in 1991. Tania worked as a primary school teacher for 9 years in Norfolk before becoming a Deputy Head in London in 2000. She completed her National Professional Qualification for Headship in 2001 and returned to Norfolk in 2004. Tania enjoys eating out, walking her rescue dog Paddy and spending time with her husband and son.

Darren Webster is Vice Principal at The Free School Norwich. He has worked for 18 years in different primary schools in Norfolk, in a variety of teaching and management roles. Darren assisted Tania in establishing The Free School Norwich and wrote the school’s unique curriculum. He was also responsible for the establishing the school’s strong links with its community partners. Outside of school, Darren is a single adoptive parent and has advised other prospective parents on the adoption process. In his spare time, he enjoys travelling, the arts, reading, swimming and photography. Lisa Lee is a Parent Governor at The Free School Norwich. Since University, Lisa has worked mainly in Account and Client Managing roles at the Virgin One account. During the two years before her son Jacob was born, she lived in Denmark, learning Danish whilst working at a Greek Restaurant. Lisa returned to Norwich 7 years ago and has been working part time since then at Brown & Co in their HR and Training Department. This allows her time for family life and other interests, particularly running, concerts, the theatre and reading historical novels. Lisa has a son at the school.

Dev Ghimire is a Parent Governor at The Free School Norwich. He works for Marsh, one of the world’s leading insurance brokers and risk advisors, managing its Terrorism and Property placement business for organisations around the globe. His core skills and competencies are in finance and project management, with significant experience in the Non-Profit, Media and Public sectors. He also has experience in managing a private school in Nepal. Dev is keen to contribute to the success of The Free School Norwich and has a son at the school.

Chris Woodhouse is a Member Appointed Governor at The Free School Norwich. He has a diverse employment background in financial services. He currently works as a corporate financial adviser dealing with local business across East Anglia. Chris has experienced some great teachers at school, college and university in Norwich and strongly believes that this same ethos of high quality education, commitment for success, with the added benefit of innovation and a clear vision for the future, exists at the Free School Norwich. Outside of work, Chris practices martial arts, enjoys reading, music and writing.

Paul Tapping is a Parent Governor of The Free School Norwich. He is currently working in IT at Aviva, conveniently just across the road from the school. He is passionate about the success of the school, not only because his daughters are in Year 2 and Year 4 but because he feels that all of the staff, parents and governors that he speaks to are so keen to make it work. Out of work, he spends too much time playing with gadgets and IT, and loves good food and whisky. Paul has been lucky enough to travel to most continents and has visited many countries, but always looks forward to seeing many more yet! Helen Waring is the SENCO and Head of KS1 at The Free School Norwich. She has been teaching for over 14 years, during which time she has also held a variety of managerial roles. She has a particular interest in supporting children with Special Educational Needs and is currently studying for a Masters degree in Social, Emotional and Behavioural Disorders through Birmingham University. When not teaching at The Free School Norwich, Helen is usually found riding her horse Jimbo, working out in the gym or sailing with her partner on the Norfolk Broads.

Gareth Stevens is a Member Appointed Governor at the Free School Norwich. He is Head of Employment Law at Clapham & Collinge solicitors and works with many organisations and individuals in the Norwich and Norfolk area, with particular expertise in the education and charity sectors. Gareth is originally from Yorkshire, but recently relocated to East Anglia with his wife who is a teacher in Suffolk. Outside of work Gareth is a keen golfer and cricketer.

Revised September 2014