Hub Advisory Board Members
HAB 1 |
HAB 2 |
HAB 3 |
HAB 4 |
| Ashburton Primary School | Callington Community College | Coombe Dean School | Austin Farm Academy |
| Buckfastleigh Primary School | Ermington Primary School | Morley Meadow Primary School | Boringdon Primary School |
| South Dartmoor Community College | Holbeton Primary School | Oreston Community Academy | Chaddlewood Primary School |
| Stowford School | Ivybridge Community College | Plymstock School | Eggbuckland Community College |
| Woodlands Park Primary School | Manor Primary School | Sherford Vale School | Glen Park Primary School  |
| Yealmpton Primary School | Ugborough Primary School | Wembury Primary School | Hele’s School |
| Plympton St Maurice Primary School | |||
| Woodford Primary School | |||
Richard Woodland |
Nat Parnell |
Sue Costello |
Nathan Kemp |
HAB 1
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: 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
Alison 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
Christopher Lowe
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
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: Trustees
Date of Appointment: To be ratified at Dec 2023 Trust Board
Term of office expires:
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
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: To be ratified at Dec 2023 Trust Board
Term of office expires:
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
Esther Gerlach
HAB 2 Chair
Esther joins the HAB as a previous parent governor at Callington Community College and for many years served as a governor at a federation of primary schools in Cornwall.
With a background in science and international development, much of Esther’s work focuses on supporting disadvantaged communities. Having witnessed the transformative power of education, she has been drawn to becoming involved with schools closer to home to play a small part in ensuring everyone gets a chance to thrive at school and leave with the skills and confidence to take on their world.
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
Fearn Kenyon
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: 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
HAB 3
Akbar Badshah
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
Amy Miller
Appointed by: Trustees
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: 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
HAB 4
Daniel Robinson
HAB 4 SEND 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
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: 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
Joanne Jennings
Appointed by: Trustees
Date of Appointment 16 Oct 2023
Term of Office Expires : 15 Oct 2026
Child / Children attend a WeST School
Michael Bushe
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
Neil Bloxham
Appointed by: Trustees
Date of Appointment: 1 Feb 2023
Term of office expires 31 Jan 2026
No business or pecuniary interests declared
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
Sarah Fear
Appointed by: Trustees
Date of Appointment: 1 Feb 2023
Term of office expires 31 Jan 2026
No business or pecuniary interests declared
Sarah-Beth Read
Sarah has been a social worker for over 13 years, and currently works as a Team Manager in the independent fostering sector. She has a personal interest in adoption and fostering, and advocating for children who are looked after, or previously looked after, to achieve their personal goals and positive outcomes.
Sarah is new to the local tier of governance, and excited to be involved and support schools in the local community.
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
Simon Mahoney
Appointed by: Trutees
Date of Appointment: 23 Jan 2024
Term of office expires: 22 Jan 2027
No business or pecuniary interests declared
| Name | Date of Appointment | Date of resignation |
| Ruth Golding | 1 Feb 2023 | 3 March 2023 |
| Nicolas Cordon | 1 Feb 2023 | 16 March 2023 |
| Caroline Westacott | 1 Feb 2023 | 23 March 2023 |
| Shirley Smith | 1 Feb 2023 | 30 March 2023 |
| Matthew Townrow | 1 Feb 2023 | 28 May 2023 |
| Julie Solomon | 1 Feb 2023 | 8 June 2023 |
| Benjamin Johns | 1 Feb 2023 | 21 June 2023 |
| Aimee Coles | 1 Feb 2023 | 3 August 2023 |
| Adam Michie-Carr | 1 Feb 2023 | 15 August 2023 |
| Colin May | 1 Feb 2023 | 24 September 2023 |
|
James Dowler |
1 Feb 2023 | 27 September 2023 |
| Elaine Brown | 1 Feb 2023 | 30 October 2023 |
| Austin Waterworth | 1 Feb 2023 | 30 October 2023 |
| Anthony Rose | 1 Feb 2023 | 1 November 2023 |
| Josef Wallace | 1 Feb 2023 | 4 November 2023 |
| Helen Roser | 1 Feb 2023 | 4 November 2023 |
| Jason Bleazard | 1 Feb 2023 | 12 January 2024 |