Mrs Sue Underwood

I have worked in many leadership roles in education across my 26 year career before my retirement. These include two primary headships in Hampshire and a national post as an early years and literacy consultant based in London. Part of this role was to help schools improve their reading curriculum and early phonics teaching so that children could become competent readers as soon as possible. I also monitored early language programmes delivered in preschools and school nurseries. 

Having led school inspections for Ofsted I have strong analytical and statistical skills and I aim to use these, alongside other governors, to  support the school in improving its performance.

It’s a privilege to join the school staff during their  improvement journey so that all pupils can attend well, thrive and achieve their very best. I’m particularly interested in the continuity of learning at points of transition both in and out of the school. 

I have family who live in Haslemere and regularly visit the local area. My grandson was born earlier this year and watching him thrive has reiterated the importance of early development and parenting. I feel that my role as a governor will give me an opportunity to share my knowledge of child development throughout the primary years. I think it’s important that all families develop positive partnerships with Fernhurst school so that everyone is welcomed and helped to play a positive role. 

My husband and I live on the south coast and we share a passion for gardening, producing most of other own fresh food on our allotment. We also sail in the Solent throughout the summer season. We regularly visit Chichester festival theatre to support the performing arts and have been privileged to have travelled extensively in Asia.