Governors (ID 1272)

• Foundation Governor
  Diocesan Board of Education
  Foundation Governor

  Role

  I have been a Foundation Governor since 2020. I currently sit on the Resources Committee and I Chair the Admissions Committee.

  Skills and background

  I run a small training and consultancy company specialising in equality, diversity and inclusion. In addition I have both Chaired and been a Trustee to a number of local and national Charities. I have a strong background in project management, advocacy and strategy development.

  Why I wanted to be a governor

  I passionately believe in equality of opportunity and the right of every child to reach their potential. My Mum was a Governor of my school and I have always understood the importance of a strong and effective Governing Body and community for a school to be successful. I love working in team to support local schools and children in a town I've lived in for 50 years.

  Inspirational quote

  Enjoy today, look forward to tomorrow, keep talking, love listening, have fun.

• Foundation Governor
  Diocesan Board of Education
  Foundation Governor

  Role

  I became a Foundation Governor, appointed by the Diocesan Board of Education, in January 2022. I have recently taken on the Health and Safety brief as a member the Resources Committee.

  Skills and background

  As a Civil Servant of over thirty years I've been posted to many different jobs, some which I've enjoyed more than others! But whether the roles I've undertaken have been great or tough, the variety has given me a wide range of experience in areas as diverse as policy development, recruitment, management and leadership, research, business continuity and learning and development. So you could say I'm a Jack of all trades and master of none! But a consistent theme throughout my career has been organisational change and development.

  Why I wanted to be a governor

  I became a governor because I believe passionately that all young people are entitled to educational opportunities which allow them to grow and develop to the very best of their potential. My own children (now all grown up) all benefitted from the opportunities that Victoria and Thomas Coram have to offer.

  Inspirational quote

  From Malala Yousafzai: "Let us remember: one book, one pen, one child and one teacher can change the world."

• Foundation Governor
  St Peter's PCC
  Foundation Governor

  Role

  I joined the Governing Body as a Church nominated Governor in January 2022, and am the link for Early Years and Foundation Stage (EYFS).

  Skills and background

  I am Chief Executive of the Christian charity, Mothers' Union, whose purpose is to help families in need, around the corner and around the world. I love spending time with the family including our dog, Honey, exercise and travel.

  Why I wanted to be a governor

  I have been a parishioner of St Peter's for over 20 years, and was keen to support young families in the town through these two great schools.

  Inspirational quote

  I love this one from Aesop: "No act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted."

• Foundation Governor
  St Peter's PCC
  Foundation Governor

  Role

  I have been a Foundation Governor since 2020 and I am the chair of the Pupil and Curriculum Committee.

  Skills and background

  I've worked in healthcare for the last 20 years. I initially worked in clinical roles, but I now work as a Director of strategic change, where I Â oversee a portfolio of large-scale change programmes across ten hospitals in North Central London. I've completed an MBA recently and also volunteer in a local youth group. Â

  Why I wanted to be a governor

  Having volunteered in other aspects of my life, I already knew how rewarding it can be to volunteer for and help the leadership of community organisations. When the vacancy for a Foundation governor came up I thought I might be able to help and that it would be a great chance to support the school that meant so much to my children. Â

  Inspirational quote

  The first is something that my grandfather would always say and I try to live to: "If a job's worth doing, it's worth doing well."

  The second is from Winnie the Pooh: "You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think."

• Foundation Governor
  St Peter's PCC
  Foundation Governor

  Role

  Foundation Governor, Safeguarding Link Governor.

  Skills and background

  My day job is as the General Counsel of a life sciences data company, managing legal and compliance risks for the global business.

  Why I wanted to be a governor

  I've been a governor since the inception of Castle Federation, and at Thomas Coram prior to that. As a member of the congregation at St Peter's I was asked if I would volunteer as a Foundation Governor and was delighted to say yes to help ensure our schools are providing the best quality learning environments for our children.

  Inspirational quote

  "Life's too short to wake up with regrets. So love the people who treat you right, forgive the ones who don't and believe that everything happens for a reason. If you get a chance, take it. If it changes your life, let it. Nobody said it'd be easy, they just promised it would be worth it." Dr Seuss

• Foundation Governor
  St Peter's PCC
  Foundation Governor

  Role

  I've been a governor since September 2019 and I'm currently Co-chair of Governors alongside Wes Ball.

  Skills and background

  I have been a chartered architect for over 20 years and have a range of experience from working in international architectural practices to running my own business in Berkhamsted, to fit around family life. I have worked on many educational projects and I am passionate about how the physical environment can sustainably provide a happy, safe and fun educational setting. I recently worked with Sunnyside Rural trust to develop their new accommodation, a great experience working with a local charity and seeing the positive impact the physical environment can have on adults with learning difficulties.

  Why I wanted to be a governor

  My children both had a great start to their educational lives, at Victoria Nursery and Infant School followed by Thomas Coram School. Watching them grow, learn and gain confidence inspired me to volunteer to be a governor, to help support the schools in the great work they do. As a governor I bring commitment and creativity, to challenge and support our schools' vision and to develop our strategic direction, it's been a great experience so far and wonderful to see the positive impact our schools have on so many children, families, and our local community.

  Inspirational quote

  "Promise me you'll always remember that you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think." - Christopher Robin to Winnie the Pooh, although it's not by A.A. Milne, I still think it's great.

• Foundation Governor
  Sunnyside PCC (Co-chair)
  Foundation Governor

  Role

  I've been a governor since 2021. I Â Chair the Resources Committee.

  Skills and background

  All my career (over twenty years) I have worked in Professional Services, as a management consultant, corporate financier, learning business partner, and educator. Â I have recently moved to a smaller firm focusing on people consulting to purse my passion for developing sustainable high performance.

  Why I wanted to be a governor

  I have always been interested in being a School Governor but until recently, I didn't feel I could dedicate sufficient time for this important role. I believe in service, duty, and giving back, and when asked, the opportunity to work with, and for the benefit of our fantastic schools, it was meant to be.

  Inspirational quote

  "Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible. Love and kindness are the very basis of society." Â The Dalai Lama (2013). Be quick to make friends and include others, and flourish in learning and love.

• Foundation Governor
  Ex-officio
  Foundation Governor

  Role

  I have been the Ex-officio Foundation Governor since November 2019. I am Maths Link Governor, currently sitting on both the Pupil and Curriculum Committee and Admissions Committee, and also Chaplain to the Federation.

  Skills and background

  I am Assistant Priest at St Peter's Church in Berkhamsted and Vicar of Holy Trinity in Potten End. Alongside my role as Federation Chaplain, I lead regular acts of Collective Worship alongside my Ministry Team colleagues. Prior to this post, I served my curacy in Birmingham after training for ordination at Cambridge, and before this I had various jobs such being a Cathedral Verger, Parish Administrator, Landlord of a pub and Security Assistant. I am married to Jaime and have two children and I enjoy walking, cycling, history, sci-fi and playing on the Xbox.

  Why I wanted to be a governor

  The short answer is that I didn't volunteer! As a part of my post I am automatically on the governing body. However, some of the reasons for taking on this role is that I have a strong passion for children's and families work, the pastoral care of all, the care of God's creation and a Christian approach to living. To journey alongside others (whether young or old) and to support them in flourishing in learning and life, is an immense privilege and responsibility, and is one that I relish.

  Inspirational quote

  "Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts." Winston Churchill. "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

• Parent Governor
  (Co-chair)
  Parent Governor

  Role

  I was appointed as Parent Governor in  April 2022 and am part of  the Resources Committee of Castle Federation.

  Skills and background

  I am a former Corporate Recovery and Restructuring Solicitor, before becoming a parent. I spent ten years involved in the PTA of Victoria School, as well as volunteering for various roles within the schools including reader, invigilator and running the Eco-Club. My skill set as a lawyer enables me to analyse the business of running a school and my view as a parent and volunteer allows me to evaluate the practical impact of changes to the business.

  Why I wanted to be a governor

  I am passionate about the educational journey of my three daughters, and want to play my part to ensure that the high standards of learning and developmental experience provided by both Victoria School and Thomas Coram continue to benefit children in the future.

  Inspirational quote

  I consider my responsibility as a Governor of Castle Federation an honour, as well as a gift, that enables me to give something back to an organisation that has encouraged my children, and all those children that attend, to flourish and be the very best version of themselves.

• LA Governor
  LA Governor

  Role

  Alongside Nicola Few, I'm Co-chair of Governors. I've been a governor since 2016 first at Victoria School, and then as part of the Federation's Governing Body when it was formed in 2018.

  Skills and background

  I've worked in politics and public affairs for most of the last twenty years; I currently provide political and communications advice to major firms in a range of sectors in my job as a director at a global communications agency. I was a trustee of a national conservation charity for six years. And I also helped set up and run Tring parkrun (which sadly never returned after it's hiatus during the pandemic). Â

  Why I wanted to be a governor

  Having been a charity trustee and volunteer in other aspects of my life, I already knew how rewarding it can be to volunteer for and help the leadership of community organisations. When the vacancy for a parent governor came up I thought I might be able to help and that it would be a great chance to support the school that meant so much to my children. The fact that I'm still doing the job six years later attests to how interesting it has been and how much of a difference I think the role can make to the children and schools. Supporting the staff of the federation, scrutinising the work of the schools and helping to steer their leadership is challenging and fascinating. Visiting the schools and seeing what a difference the schools are making to hundreds of children as they start their journey in education is both joyful and inspiring.

  Inspirational quote

  The quote about childhood I think about the most is from the very end of Roald Dahl's, Danny the Champion of the World. He writes:

  "A message to the children who have read this book. When you grow up and have children of your own, do please remember something important. A stodgy parent is no fun at all! What a child wants - and DESERVES - is a parent who is SPARKY!"

  I'll admit to not being sparky everyday of the year, but it's a helpful reminder of what our job is as parents, carers and teachers.

• Co-opted Governor
  Co-opted Governor

  Role

  I am the Head of School at Victoria and a Co-opted Governor. I started this role in September 2022 when I joined the school leadership team.

  Skills and background

  I have been a primary school teacher for 20 years. I have experience of Early Years, KS1 and KS2 and has been part of the senior leadership team since 2012. Â I am a parent governor at Princes Risborough School focusing on Inclusion (SEND/PP).

  Inspirational quote

  I have chosen this quote from one of my favourite books 'Lord of the Rings' when the fellowship set out on their quest to save Middle Earth which is "Even the smallest person can change the course of the future." This is important to me because as the Head of School, I get to see how all the small people (the children) make such an impact to the school and community to which they belong.

• Co-opted Governor
  Co-opted Governor

• Staff Governor
  Staff Governor

• Associate Member
  Associate Member

  Role Â

  Parent Governor, elected in March 2022.

  Skills and background

  I have built my career within the education sector, focusing on the facilitation, physical education and sporting programmes in schools. I am a qualified Physical Education teacher, and currently in my ninth year as Director of Sport in a local private school within the town.

  Why I wanted to be a governor

  When the opportunity arose, I felt compelled to give my time to support the school that is giving such a positive experience to my own child.

  The chance to look at education through a different lens is not only really interesting, but is helping to shape my understanding and knowledge of the role and how it fits into the leadership and shaping of strategy and vision within a schools' framework.

  Inspirational quote

  Be happy, have fun, keep playing and exploring, and be kind to your body and heart.

• Associate Member
  Associate Member