NIKKI BENNET - Chair
Responsibilities: Finance Committee

I am a retired paediatric physiotherapist. I worked in the NHS both as a clinician and a manager in Haringey and then Barnet. Within my working time in Barnet I had some close working with all of the special schools in the borough including Oakleigh, I am delighted to join the governors and continue my passionate interest in children with SEN/ disabilities and supporting in some way to strive for them and their families to have the best opportunities through life.

In my working career I worked with some amazing children and their families in good times and in bad, as well as seeing many changes and developments both positive and negative within the health, education and social care systems.

Outside of work I have always been involved in other aspects of voluntary work supporting people, being involved in fundraising, set up learning programmes and since I have more time available I have also in the past few years been able to volunteer at Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice.

I have always enjoyed seeing others around me develop as well as support those less fortunate than I am in various ways. After a family journey that took us to Belarus, we set up a charity supporting communities there initially and then since 2013 in Western Ukraine as well. For the last 5 years we have taken UK youth, trained them in the UK and they have led summer camps. The development pathway of both our UK and Ukrainian leaders has been incredible.

I have a passion for travel and exploring different cultures, as well as a love of cooking. I have always lived in the local area and actually went into Oakleigh School for a days work experience in my school days.

I have one amazing daughter and I cherish spending time with her and my husband.