
West Gloucestershire Schools Partnership
WGSP Management Board
Who we are!
A partnership run by Heads for Heads!

Chair of WGSP
Kate Burke
Executive Head Teacher of two rural Community Schools (one federation) with over 13 years’ experience of Headship. My smallest school having 60 children (mixed aged classes) to my largest being single entry classes (170 on role). My first headship experience was taking on a school requiring Improvement and leading it to our current grading of good with three areas of outstanding including leadership and management. My second school also we turned around from Requires Improvement to outstanding in two areas including leadership and management.
I am currently Chair of West Gloucestershire Schools Partnership (WGSP), which is a strong cohesive partnership providing support and development to all staff and governors within 39 primary schools in the Forest of Dean and surrounding areas. This includes the Forest Alternative Provision School and the Heart of the Forest special school.
I have been a member of GAPH (Gloucestershire Association of Primary Heads) since 2016, which provides our partnership with insights, support and access to further opportunities such as networking, key speakers, competitions and head-to-head support through networking and wellbeing sessions. Previously from 2018-2023 I was a trustee of a standalone Secondary Academy.
In my own time, what gets me through the day is ensuring I remain outward looking, having a strong group of colleagues who I talk to regularly, while making time for hobbies, families and friends so work does not consume everything.

Co Vice Chair of WGSP
Jenny Lane
Awaiting Pen Portrait

Co Vice Chair of WGSP
Kathryn Oshun
I joined Mitcheldean Endowed Primary as Headteacher in April 2019, just before the pandemic hit!
Whilst it was certainly a rollercoaster first year, I have loved being part of our school and continue to learn something new every day!
Mitcheldean is a one from entry school with single year groups, we are a Church of England School and enjoy links within our parish.
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Prior to working in the Forest, I was Deputy Head at an inner city school in Gloucester and have previously worked abroad in Nigeria in an English School, so I have a wide range of experiences which I am always happy to share.

WGSP Board Member
Ella Curtis
I have been Head at Huntley Church of England Primary school for around 7 years. We are a small mixed age primary school and I still play a teaching role within the setting.
I am privileged to also be a Gloucestershire Healthy Living and Learning (GHLL) lead teacher, working with schools to develop PSHE and wellbeing. I get to work with some of the fantastic schools we have in the Forest who are striving to support the mental and physical health of their children.
WGSP has been a lifeline over the years and has been a source of constant support and school development with valuable links to other schools. I joined the management board a number of years ago, joining a passionate team driving school development and supporting the uniqueness of our Forest schools.

WGSP Board Member
Amy Pugh
I became the Headteacher at Berry Hill Primary School in January 2023. Prior to this, I worked in various leadership roles in primary schools in Gloucestershire, gaining valuable insights into effective school management and educational practices.
Throughout my career, I have led successful initiatives to improve teaching and learning, including designing bespoke subject leader training to enhance the curriculum. I believe that providing subject leaders with the necessary training and support can ensure our children receive the best education. I am also a strong advocate for integrating technology into the classroom, as it prepares our children for the challenges of the 21st century.
I grew up in Newent, and now live in Huntley, so the success of the West Gloucestershire Schools Partnership holds particular significance to me.
I am very excited to have become a member of the partnership board. It is an opportunity for collaboration and sharing of best practices among schools in the partnership. I firmly believe that by working together and sharing our expertise, we can provide the highest quality education for all our children in West Gloucestershire, regardless of school size or location.

WGSP Board Member
Donna Milford
I have been working in education for over 30 years. I have been the Head teacher at Ellwood Community Primary School for the past 11 years. Prior to this, I worked in a large outstanding city school, numerous smaller rural schools and spent many years working in a leadership capacity in another local Forest school. I have recently been supporting a couple of other schools as Interim Head teacher, alongside continuing with my Head Teacher role at Ellwood School. I have had lots of different roles within primary school both as a teacher and a leader. I thoroughly enjoy working in the Forest of Dean, adore its location and uniqueness. I have an M.Ed in Inclusion and SEND. Working with pupils with SEMH needs is my passion. I strive to ensure all children the children in my care are happy, feel safe and achieve their full potential. The WGSP is an amazing network of really talented and knowledgeable dedicated people, who all have the same vision – to ensure we provide the best education and opportunities for the children in our community. WGSP has been a fantastic network and support for me as a head teacher, in the past, and still continues to offer support in an ever changing educational landscape. I feel privileged to be on the management board of WGSP and working collaboratively with others for the good of all children in our local area.

WGSP Board Member
Hayley McGoldrick
Awaiting Pen Portrait

WGSP Board Member
Clare Tilling
I have been head teacher at St White's since 2019 and have taught in the forest for 18 years.
I joined the WGSP management board because I am committed to ensuring that the children in the forest have the absolutely best education anywhere in the country.

WGSP Board Member
Nat Frey
I have been the Executive Headteacher of the Wye Forest Federation since January 2022. We are made up two small C of E schools - St Briavels and Redbrook. Both schools are unique but we work closely together to ensure all children receive the best opportunities we can offer. I love being the headteacher of a federation in the Forest of Dean and am passionate about being outward looking whilst nurturing what is special about being in the Forest.
I joined the management board of WGSP in September 2024. We work closely together to understand our schools' challenges and offer support, training and networks. I greatly value the importance of the opportunities that our partnership brings to all schools in the Forest.

WGSP Board Member
James Barrow
Awaiting Pen Portrait

WGSP Partnership Coordinator & Finance Officer
Kirsty Mayo
I joined WGSP at the beginning of May 2022.
My organisational skills spill over in to my personal life where I am Chair of my childrens Primary School PTFA.
I enjoy working for WGSP and everyday there's something new to learn.
Education is a new topic for me as my background is mainly in hospitality and wedding co-ordinating,
I continue to drive positive change and support the Partnership's mission of collaboration, communication, inclusivity & connectivity.
