Local and MAT Governance

Members

Peter Castell, Prof Brian Chalkley, Steve Lloyd, Ken Martin and Richard Newton-Chance.

Trust Board

Visiting Governor: Looe Community Academy

My parents moved to St Cleer in 1965, from where I attended Liskeard Grammar School.  Having decided that a career in the Fleet Air Arm was not for me, I completed a B Ed (Hons) at the College of St Mark and St John in Plymouth.

I started teaching English in 1978 at Efford Secondary School.  In 1984 I moved to Lipson Community College to take charge of Information Technology and in 1995 I became Vice Principal. I successfully led the bid to become a specialist Arts College in 1998. In 2000 I became Principal at Queen Elizabeth’s Community College in Crediton until early retirement in 2014. QE is a large, split site 11-18 school with the only state boarding provision in Devon.  During my time there we became a High Performing Specialist School and, in 2011, an academy.   I also chaired the Devon Association of Secondary Heads for two years.

In 2014 – 15 I was the Association of School and College Leader’s funding specialist. I am also a council member of Learnus, a group involved in educational neuroscience.

I became a Trustee of SMART because I still want to contribute to making our education system as effective and enjoyable as it can be both for those who experience it and those who work in it.

After graduating from the University of East Anglia in PsychoSocial studies, I completed a PGCE at Sheffield Hallam University. I then taught in Sheffield for a few years before moving to an inner London school as Assistant Headteacher, leading on student and staff wellbeing. After a move to Cornwall in 2011, I became Deputy Headteacher at Looe Community Academy before moving to my current role as Executive Executive Principal for Medical Provision with Wave Multi Academy Trust.

In addition to being a Trustee of SMART, I am also a local governor for the Bridge Multi Academy Trust at  Polperro, Looe and Brunel.

I am passionate about ensuring the needs of all young people are met I am delighted to be part of the SMART team.

Visiting Governor: Liskeard Community School and College

My three children have attended local schools which are now part of SMART, and I first got involved in 2008 as a parent governor at Liskeard School.  I have lived in Cornwall since 2002, initially working in Plymouth for the Regional Development Agency then becoming the Director of the Combined Universities in Cornwall between 2009 and 2013.

I am now also a Governor of Plymouth Marjon University and Plymouth College of Art, and I am chair of the body that leads on standards and church school academies for the Diocese of Truro.  With my husband I own and run Looe Valley Vineyard just outside St Keyne.

Before moving to Cornwall I worked in Bristol as human resources director for a large regional law firm and for a national further education body where I led on leadership development and teacher training for Colleges.

I want SMART to be a place where every child and young person whatever their background can flourish and develop to their full potential, and where our schools work closely with supportive local communities to achieve this.

After a career in commercial and corporate finance in a number of locations around England and Wales, I returned in 2011 to Devon, where I had been fortunate enough to work for a number of years and where my son was born. I now live on the edge of Dartmoor in Lydford.

As well as continuing to pursue part-time financial consultancy for my professional institute, I am chair of our local parish council, a governor at Milton Abbot School and a director/trustee at Exeter Learning Academy M.A.T

I am delighted to be part of the SMART organisation where I see my key role as helping to ensure that we make the optimum use of our scarce financial resources to maximise the educational opportunities for our students. I believe that my experience of working in large multi-functional business organisations and my advisory role to smaller businesses will help me to add to the skills and effectiveness across the Trust’s governing body.

When I find time away from these activities I enjoy time in the countryside with my two dogs and do my best to help my wife keep the garden under control!

I spent 24 years in the military as a senior non-commissioned officer in the British Army and was a specialist PT instructor as well as a senior tactics instructor, conducting operational tours around the world before joining Duchy College.

We are proud to be part of our local and rural community, offering young people the opportunity to study subjects that enthuse their passion for our rural landscape, which secure them future employment. We are passionate about supporting our learners’ personal and professional development at every stage of their careers.

Additional Trustee Responsibilities: Whistleblowing

As a Teaching Assistant at a Secondary School and formerly a Child Workforce Enabler for Children with Additional Needs, I have understanding and knowledge of supporting and enhancing the learning of students with special educational needs and disabilities. Alongside my employment, I also work within the Ministry of Justice for Her Majesty’s Court and Tribunal Service as a Magistrate within the Cornwall District Bench, and a Youth Referral Panel Member for the Youth Offending Team in Plymouth.

I also preside as a Trustee Lead for Mental Health, Safeguarding and Prevent for multiple organisations across the South West Region, including Cornwall and Devon. I have been a Governor for Exeter College and am currently a Governor for Okehampton Primary School.  I am currently studying a University Degree in Public Services at Exeter College and enjoy living next to Dartmoor and taking advantage of the amazing scenery and what it has to offer.

Having multiple roles and responsibilities across the South West Region, notably Cornwall, I have sound understanding and knowledge of the different experience’s individuals endure, whether it be positive or otherwise, and have experience working within the local communities supporting individuals and organisations flourish and achieve their full potential.

Education is the foundation of every individuals’ life and is an overriding necessity to ensure a successful and rewarding future. I therefore have a deep passion and interest for providing outstanding education to students within SMART, alongside providing the correct support and guidance, to enable every student to progress into independent and successful people in the future.

SMART Register of Business Interests

Member – Trustee – Governor List

Trustee Attendance 19/20

Chairs of the Local Governing Committees