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Westcountry Schools Trust

Westcountry Schools Trust

Westcountry Schools Trust

Hub Advisory Board Members

HAB 1

HAB 2

HAB 3

HAB 4 

HAB 5 

Ashburton Primary School  Ermington Primary School   Coombe Dean School  Austin Farm Academy Callington Community College  
Buckfastleigh Primary School  Holbeton Primary School  Morley Meadow Primary School  Boringdon Primary School  Camelford Primary School 
South Dartmoor Community College Ivybridge Community College   Oreston Community Academy  Chaddlewood Primary School  Otterham Community Primary School
Stowford School  Manor Primary School  Plymstock School Eggbuckland Community College   Sir James Smith's School 
Woodlands Park Primary School  Ugborough Primary School  Sherford Vale School   Glen Park Primary School   St Breward Community Primary School
Yealmpton Primary School    Wembury Primary School Hele’s School   St Teath Primary School 
      Plympton St Maurice Primary School   
      Woodford Primary School   

Richard Woodland 

Nat Parnell

Sue Costello

Naveed Khan 

Phil Banks

HAB 1

Abigail Fear 

Appointed by: Trustees 

Date of Appointment: 19 June 2024

Term of office expires 18 June 2027

No business or pecuniary interests declared

Alexandra Stafford  

HAB 1 SEND Champion

Alexandra works as a solicitor for the legal team of a charity which provides legally based support to parents and carers of children and young people with special educational needs. In this role she works with parents, school professionals, local authorities, parent support groups and advocates.

She is new to governance and is looking forward to contributing her experience as HAB SEND Champion.

Alexandra has had three children attend a WeST school and is delighted to have the opportunity to return the great support all three of them have benefitted from in their school.

Appointed by: Elected by parents/appointed as parent HAB Member

Date of Appointment: 1 Feb 2023

Term of office expires 31 Jan 2026

No business or pecuniary interests declared

Child / Children attend a WeST School 

Alison Evans 

Appointed by: Elected by parents/appointed as parent HAB Member

Date of Appointment: 1 Feb 2023

Term of office expires 31 Jan 2026

No business or pecuniary interests declared

Child / Children attend a WeST School

Christopher Lowe  

Appointed by: Elected by parents/appointed as parent HAB Member

Date of Appointment: 1 Feb 2023

Term of office expires 31 Jan 2026

No business or pecuniary interests declared

Child / Children attend a WeST School

Dominic Course  

HAB 1 Chair

Appointed by: Trustees

Date of Appointment: 1 Feb 2023

Term of office expires 31 Jan 2026

Business interest - Dacors Ltd 

Declared - Director at Link Academy Trust
 

Max Johnson
 

Appointed by: Elected by parents/appointed as parent HAB Member

Date of Appointment: 25 August 2024

Term of office expires: 24 August 2027

Child / Children attend a WeST School
 

Rebecca Cosgrave 

Rebecca has been a school governor in one form or another for 13 years. In that time she also been a chair of governors for a primary school and a governor of a secondary academy.

Her day job is also in education as an English adviser for Devon Education Services which involves supporting schools across the county and beyond.

In this role, from time to time, she is commissioned to work professionally in WEST schools. She has two children who have both benefitted hugely from the quality of education they received at a WeST school and Rebecca is delighted to have the opportunity to give back where she can.

Appointed by: Trustees

Date of Appointment: 1 Feb 2023

Term of office expires 31 Jan 2026

No business or pecuniary interests declared.

HAB 2 

Caroline Johnson 

Caroline is an experienced English teacher and has held several roles including literacy leader, KS4 coordinator and Associate Leader. She is now Director of Transition at Ivybridge Community College (ICC) which involves close work with the feeder primary schools in the area. She is particularly interested in the coherence of the 2-19 learning journey.

Prior to Caroline’s role on the WeST HAB, she was a staff governor in the local tier of governance at ICC, a position she held for 5 years and found incredibly rewarding.

Appointed by: Trustees

Date of Appointment: 1 Feb 2023

Term of office expires 31 Jan 2026

Declared - Teacher at a WeST School 

Child / Children attend a WeST School

Chris O’Reilly  

Appointed by: Elected by parents/appointed as parent HAB Member

Date of Appointment: 11 June 2024 

Term of office expires 10 June 2027

No business or pecuniary interests declared

Christiaan Stirling
 

HAB 2 SEND Champion

Over the past three decades Christiaan has worked in a range of primary schools as a teacher and Headteacher, he has extensive experience of the education sector and a detailed knowledge of supporting children in care in schools. Christiaan volunteered as a school governor for over 20 years and has worked with Westcountry Trust schools in this capacity since 2015.

He now runs Exciting Education Limited which offers training and direct support to schools, families and fostering organisations to help children untangle life’s problems, increase their emotional resilience and plan for the future.

He also jointly leads the Emotional Logic Centre, a Devon based charity run by medical and education professions, helping people to grow stronger through emotional turmoil. As part of this role, he advises and trains school leaders, pupils and families across the UK and overseas. Christiaan is a qualified Emotional Logic Coach, Chair of Plymouth City Council’s Fostering Panel and Vice Chair of the Cornwall Panel.

Outside of work, you’ll often find him exploring the moors with his family or out on the waves with his body board.

Appointed by: Trustees

Date of Appointment: 12 June 2023

Term of office expires: 11 June 2026

Declaration: Exciting Education Ltd, Emotional Logic Centre

Deborah Saunders  

Deborah has been in primary education for twenty years.

She currently works as a Trust Improvement Officer for a local trust of primary schools. She leads on NPQLT training and assessing for primary and secondary teachers and has led the Visible Learning School Improvement Programme in her trust since 2016.

Deborah has been a KS1 Moderator for 10 years.

She has been a member of the local governing body in her educational roles and is a co-oped governor for a primary school in Devon.

Appointed by: Trustees

Date of Appointment: 1 Feb 2023

Term of office expires 31 Jan 2026

Declaration - Employee of An Daras Trust

Fearn Kenyon 

Vice Chair 

Fearn is a qualified social worker with over 12 years’ experience in child protection and safeguarding. She has been a Family Court Adviser with Cafcass since 2015 and is currently on a secondment in management. Fearn has a particular interest in trauma informed practice and promoting protective factors for all children. Fearn runs listening circles for professionals with the National Association of Therapeutic Parents.

Prior to her role in the WeST HAB, Fearn was a member of the local tier of governance at Holbeton Primary School for a year.

Appointed by: Trustees

Date of Appointment: 1 Feb 2023

Term of office expires 31 Jan 2026

No business or pecuniary interests declared

Child / Children attend a WeST School

Hannah Holdgate 

HAB 2 Safeguarding Champion

Appointed by: Elected by parents/appointed as parent HAB Member

Date of Appointment: 1 Feb 2023

Term of office expires 31 Jan 2026

No business or pecuniary interests declared

Child / Children attend a WeST School

Jane Bellamy  

Appointed by: Trustees 

Date of Appointment: 21 May 2024 

Term of office expires 20 May 2027

No business or pecuniary interests declared

Robert Benzie  

Appointed by: Trustees 

Date of Appointment: 17 July 2024 

Term of office expires 16 July 2027

No business or pecuniary interests declared

HAB 3 

Adrian Montague  

Appointed by: Elected by parents/appointed as parent HAB Member

Date of Appointment: 21 May 2024 

Term of office expires 20 May 2027

No business or pecuniary interests declared

Amy Miller  

Appointed by: Elected by parents/appointed as parent HAB Member

Date of Appointment: 1 Feb 2023

Term of office expires 31 Jan 2026

Child / Children attend a WeST School

Caroline Chapman 

HAB 3 SEND Champion

Appointed by: Trustees

Date of Appointment: 1 Feb 2023

Term of office expires 31 Jan 2026

Declared - Chair of Governors at a Plymouth Primary School

Child / Children attend a WeST School

Claire Johns 

Claire is a chemistry teacher at Plymstock school and has worked in the Plymouth area for over 10 years. She is a parent of a child in primary school and has a keen interest in the 2-19 educational journey.

This is Claire's first experience of governance and she is looking forward to learning more about WeST schools.

Appointed by: Trustees

Date of Appointment: 1 Feb 2023

Term of office expires 31 Jan 2026

Declared - Teacher at a WeST school

Child / Children attend a WeST School

Gregory Thomas  

Gregory (Greg) works for the NHS Devon Integrated Care Board with a focus on children and young people with diagnosis of Mental Health, Autism or Learning disabilities. A registered Mental Health Nurse and psychotherapist, he is qualified in both CBT and EMDR therapies. Greg has published three single author research papers relating to children and families mental health.

Through his work, he has learnt a lot from the lived experiences of children, young people and their families. Greg has seen that every child/young person is good at something. It may take them a bit of time to find what they are good at, but once its discovered it helps them to strive, thrive and find their place in the world.

Prior to Greg's role in the WeST HAB, he was a member of the local tier of governance at Plymstock School for two years.

Appointed by: Trustees

Date of Appointment: 1 Feb 2023

Term of office expires 31 Jan 2026

No business or pecuniary interests declared

Jacqueline Spencer  

HAB 3 Chair

Jacqui spent many very enjoyable years as a secondary school teacher of Mathematics, many of these within a WeST school. Her additional responsibility was for the pastoral and emotional wellbeing of the students and the transition from primary to secondary phase of education. Beyond the classroom her passion was in the provision of outdoor education and residential experiences for all students.

In recent years Jacqui left the classroom and is now involved in university and school led Initial Teacher Training.

In her HAB role Jacqui is eager to ensure that school’s maintain their own identities and continue to reflect and provide for the local communities in which they are located.

Appointed by: Trustees

Date of Appointment: 1 Feb 2023

Term of office expires 31 Jan 2026

No business or pecuniary interests declared

Katherine Luxford  

HAB 3 Safeguarding Champion

Appointed by: Trustees

Date of Appointment: 1 Feb 2023

Term of office expires 31 Jan 2026

No business or pecuniary interests declared

Child / Children attend a WeST School

Samantha Hewitt 

Appointed by: Elected by parents/appointed as parent HAB Member

Date of Appointment: 1 Feb 2023

Term of office expires 31 Jan 2026

No business or pecuniary interests declared

Child / Children attend a WeST School

HAB 4  

Daniel Robinson 

HAB 4 SEND Champion 

Appointed by: Elected by parents/appointed as parent HAB Member

Date of Appointment: 1 Feb 2023

Term of office expires 31 Jan 2026

No business or pecuniary interests declared

Child / Children attend a WeST School

Jacklyn Barry  

Appointed by: Trustees 

Date of Appointment: 19 Feb 2024

Term of office expires 18 Feb 2027

No business or pecuniary interests declared

Jane Pawson 

Jane currently works at the Theatre Royal, Plymouth as the Head of Artistic Planning Projects, which means that she oversees all their work with children, young people, education institutions and communities.

She is new to education governance. Jane joined the HAB has she was keen to bring her experience of working with young people through a creative medium to support local schools, whilst also increasing her understanding of the current educational landscape. Jane is a parent to a child who has recently started in foundation in a WeST school, she is pleased to say they are having a wonderful time.

In addition to this new governance role, Jane is also a trustee of a local charity called Elder Tree, a befriending charity supporting people over 50 to live full and independent lives.

Appointed by: Elected by parents/appointed as parent HAB Member

Date of Appointment: 1 Feb 2023

Term of office expires 31 Jan 2026

No business or pecuniary interests declared

Child / Children attend a WeST School

Michael Bushe 

Appointed by: Elected by parents/appointed as parent HAB Member

Date of Appointment: 1 Feb 2023

Term of office expires 31 Jan 2026

No business or pecuniary interests declared

Child / Children attend a WeST School

Nicholas Evans 

Appointed by: Trustees

Date of Appointment: 1 Feb 2023

Term of office expires 31 Jan 2026

No business or pecuniary interests declared

Child / Children attend a WeST School

Robert Frankow 

HAB 4 Chair

Robert works as an information technology (IT) consultant in the finance industry and has been in IT for over 25 years. He is also a mobile DJ and provides discos for schools across the local area.

Robert has been active in the local tier of governance for over 8 years, most recently as Chair of a WeST primary school LGB.

Robert is passionate about education and believes every child deserves the best education possible.

Appointed by: Trustees

Date of Appointment: 1 Feb 2023

Term of office expires 31 Jan 2026

Declared - Spouse employed in WeST school

Simon Mahoney 
 

Appointed by: Trustees 

Date of Appointment: 23 Jan 2024

Term of office expires: 22 Jan 2027

No business or pecuniary interests declared

HAB 5

Adam Mitchell 

Appointed by: Elected by parents/appointed as parent HAB Member

Date of Appointment: 1 June 2024

Term of office expires: 31 May 2027

Andrew Fergusson 

Appointed by: Trustees 

Date of Appointment: 1 June 2024

Term of office expires: 31 May 2027

Hannah King 

Appointed by: Trustees 

Date of Appointment: 1 June 2024

Term of office expires: 31 May 2027

Karen Whalley 

Vice Chair 

Appointed by: Trustees 

Date of Appointment: 1 June 2024

Term of office expires: 31 May 2027

Kate Dyer 

HAB 5 SEND Champion

Appointed by: Elected by parents/appointed as parent HAB Member

Date of Appointment: 1 June 2024

Term of office expires: 31 May 2027

Lisa Ward 

Appointed by: Elected by parents/appointed as parent HAB Member

Date of Appointment: 1 June 2024

Term of office expires: 31 May 2027

Rob Molesworth 

Appointed by: Elected by parents/appointed as parent HAB Member

Date of Appointment: 21 May 2024

Term of office expires: 20 May 2027

Rob Rush 

Appointed by: Trustees 

Date of Appointment: 1 June 2024

Term of office expires: 31 May 2027

Ruth Krolik 

Appointed by: Trustees 

Date of Appointment: 1 June 2024

Term of office expires: 31 May 2027

Tom Imber 

Appointed by: Trustees 

Date of Appointment: 1 June 2024

Term of office expires: 31 May 2027

 

Name Date of Appointment Date of resignation 
Jason Bleazard 1 Feb 2023 12 January 2024
Joanne Jennings 16 Oct 2023 2 July 2024
Akbar Badshah 1 Feb 2023 15 July 2024 
Neil Bloxham 1 Feb 2023 15 July 2024 
Sarah Fear 1 Feb 2023 15 July 2024 
Sarah-Beth Read 1 Feb 2023 2 October 2024
Esther Gerlach 1 Feb 2023 16 Nov 2024