Our Team
Shona Norman
Head of Woodbridge School
After completing her A Levels at Wisbech Grammar School in Cambridgeshire, Shona studied for a degree in English Literature at London University. Upon completion of this, she obtained her PGCE from Cambridge University before being appointed as a Teacher of English at Woodbridge School in September 2002. During her time at Woodbridge, Shona has been promoted to the positions of Housemistress, Extended Project Qualification Co-Ordinator, Deputy Head (Pastoral) and Senior Deputy before stepping into the role of Acting Head in May 2019. Whilst Deputy, Shona chose to return to Cambridge University to complete her Masters in Educational Leadership and School Improvement; she remains part of their Leadership for Learning initiative. Shona became Head of Woodbridge School in January 2020.
Regarded by her staff and students as an inspirational leader and an outstanding teacher, Shona is passionate about student welfare inside and outside of the classroom and in ensuring that every child is recognised as an individual, preparing them to excel in the future world.
Gemma Bloomfield
Director of Seckford Care
Gemma has worked within the health, social care and not-for-profit sector for 23 years, starting as a Support Worker in a long-stay hospital for people with a learning disability. She continued to support people within the community, moving into her first management role of an Older Persons residential care home in 2003.
In 2005 Gemma joined a not-for-profit organisation as Service Manager for a newly developed Older Persons Extra Care scheme and Younger Person with Dementia scheme and then progressed in her career to Head of Service, being responsible for eight Extra Care services across the county of Suffolk including sheltered housing and support. In 2015 Gemma was promoted to Business Development Manager, responsible for growing the entire Support and Care division, developing partnerships and initiatives. Most recently she has been working as Director of Services for a local charity for older people and graduated from the University of Suffolk last year with a Post Graduate Diploma in Leadership and Service Innovation.
In her free time she is trustee for Ipswich Housing Action Group, providing support and housing to people experiencing homelessness and a Volunteer Mentor for students at Northgate High School.
Simon Stafford
Director of Finance
Simon leads the finance team which supports all of the Foundation’s activities. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales and qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1996 with KPMG. After qualification he spent fourteen years working in private practice with KPMG and Baker Tilly, specialising in Transaction Services and Corporate Finance. Prior to joining the Foundation in 2012, Simon was Group Finance Director of Targetfollow Group Limited, a commercial property investment and development business.
Richard Stone
Operations Bursar
Richard joined the Seckford Foundation in September 2021, having previously worked for Royal Mail and Marks & Spencer in various operational leadership roles. Born and raised in West Yorkshire, he graduated from The University of York with a degree in Economics and has now settled in Ipswich with his young family.
Richard is passionate about the strength of teams, believing that teamwork coupled with individual accountability is the root cause of success.