Marianne McDonnell - Headteacher

Term of Office: Ex Officio 

I was appointed as Headteacher of Send Church of England Primary School in September 2023, bringing over two decades of experience in primary education in a variety of school settings.  Beyond my work within schools, I am passionate about driving educational standards on a wider scale. I have served as a Specialist Leader of Education (SLE) and an Early Years Consultant. In these capacities, I have supported numerous schools with curriculum development, acted as a Lead Moderator for Surrey LA, and worked with the National Centre for Excellence in Teaching Mathematics (NCETM) to develop resources for Maths Hubs.

My leadership is defined by a dedication to excellent teaching and a child-centred, inclusive approach. I firmly believe in nurturing the individual while building a strong community where high aspirations ensure every child is equipped with the life chances they deserve.

 

Lynette van der Merwe - Foundation DBE Governor 

Term of Office: 14th September 2025 - 13th September 2029

Lynette is a Managing Director at Accenture, a global professional services company and an experienced governor.  Her career has been focused on helping businesses transform by focusing on people change management, enterprise agility, human capital management and learning and leadership development.  Passionate about learning and people development, she has taught psychology at under- and postgraduate level and often contributes as faculty in her corporate setting.  She holds a Ph.D in Psychology, lives in Woking and is married with two daughters, one at Send CofE School.

 

 

Dani Palmer - Parent Governor

Term of Office: 30th  January 2025 - 29th January 2029

Dani Palmer  is a devoted parent of two boys, with one currently attending Send Church of England School and the other set to begin in September 2026. Her deep-rooted passion for education and wellbeing drives her ongoing commitment to nurturing every child’s full potential, both academically and emotionally. Dani is a firm believer in the importance of creating inclusive, supportive environments where children and their families feel nurtured, valued, heard, and empowered.

Drawing on her professional background in early years education, Dani holds Early Years Teacher Status and brings with her a wealth of experience in promoting best practices in child development and learning. Her expertise also extends to providing statutory guidance to schools, with a strong focus on leadership, management, and regulatory compliance.

Her aim is to help build a school environment where every pupil is given the opportunity to flourish and every parent feels connected to their child’s learning journey.

Dani resides in Send with her husband and their two sons. She is an enthusiastic and visible presence in the local community, regularly participating in school activities and community events, and always seeking new ways to contribute to the life of the school.

 

 

Thomas Singam - Local Authority Governor

Term of  Office:  26 March 2025

With a strong foundation in IT and nearly a decade of experience at Harris Academy Peckham, I've transitioned into a senior leadership role as a Global Support Manager at Asendia. My journey has been shaped by a passion for problem-solving, a commitment to developing effective business solutions, and a deep belief in the power of teamwork.

I'm dedicated to growing both personally and professionally, with a particular focus on leadership development and data-driven decisions. My time in education has taught me the value of respect, patience, and investing in people - lessons I now apply daily in the corporate world. I'm also proud to share my expertise as a school governor, supporting future generations with the same dedication I bring to my team.

 

Rev Louise Vincer - Ex Officio 

Term of Office: 23rd October 2024

Louise started work as the parish priest at St Mary’s, Send in October 2024. She was ordained 25 years ago, beginning work in Waltham Abbey in Essex. She has also worked in south London, Lincolnshire and Canterbury, developing a specialism in leading through change.

Louise is delighted to be living and working in Send and growing relationships with the school community. Her husband Andrew Dodd is also a priest in the Church of England and they have two teenage children who thrived in their church of England primary school.

 

 

 

Shaun Walker - Parent Governor

Term of Office: 4th February 2026 to 3rd February 2030 

 

 

 

 

Daisy Whetlor -  Staff Governor

Term of Office: 1st September 2024 to 31st August 2028

 Daisy is a Year 2 Teacher at Send CofE Primary School, bringing four years of experience from roles as a Teaching Assistant, Trainee    Teacher, to now a Classroom Teacher with experience in both KS1 and KS2.  She cares deeply about the wellbeing and progress of the children at Send and joining the Governing Body shows her dedication to their growth.  Daisy's journey at the school reflects her passion for education and the students she teaches, making her an essential part of the school community.

 

 

Rachel Wilkinson - Foundation PCC Governor