Governance

I have been associated with Southam College for the past 13 years. I was a Parent Governor for 9 years, and Chair of Governors for 5 of those years.

Both my daughters attended Southam College and are currently studying Quantity Surveying (Sheffield Hallam University) and Speech and Language Therapy (Cardiff Metropolitan University) respectively. They both benefitted from the guidance and support that the outstanding staff offer to all the students. In addition to academic rigour, the students have access to a wide range of extra-curricular activities that help them to develop the life skills, resilience and self-belief to equip them for the world of work. These are opportunities that I believe should be available to all students supported within the MAT.

A former Nurse and NHS Manager, I retrained as a Social Worker, completing my Degree at Coventry University in 2013. Having relocated to Derbyshire in 2015, I am currently working at Derby City Council with the Preparing For Adulthood Team. I work with 14 - 25 year olds who have a complex learning disabilty and specialise in Safeguarding investigation and Mental Capacity Assessment. In addition, I am the lead Social Work Practitioner in Derby for EHCP's (Education Health and Care plans - formally Statement of Special Needs) and I see my role as integral to promoting the educational opportunities for all young people.

Whilst living in Southam, I worked for 9 years with Orbit housing as a non-executive director, and served as a JP working predominantly in Family Court.

I am able to bring commercial and public sector management experience to the MAT, with a sound understanding of financial management, human resources, marketing and strategic planning. I am confident to challenge the status quo, and debate ideas and thinking. I champion fairness, equality and justice and lifelong learning.

All young people deserve the best education possible to equip them for the opportunity and challenge of the exciting world we live in - as a parent I am pleased to be able to support the MAT to "be the best" for every student.

I became a teacher in 1970, following my degree course at Edinburgh University (MA Hons. English Language and Literature, 1965-69) and my completion of the PGCE qualification at Bristol University (1969-70). I taught full-time in 5 urban comprehensive schools over the following 41 years, working in a number of different Local Authorities: Bristol/Avon, North Notts., Birmingham, Coventry and Warwickshire. In addition to this regional variety, my experience benefited greatly from the different roles that I carried out: i/c English Literature, HoD English, Curriculum Deputy, and two contrasting headships (Alderman Callow School & Community College, Coventry, 1991-94, and North Leamington School, Warwickshire, 1994-2011).

I have always been committed to providing a broad and balanced curriculum to the full age and ability range as an educational entitlement, believing that this is the best means of assisting the development of the whole child and of preparing her/him for adult life. In this context, I was pleased to gain specialist ‘Arts College’ status for North Leamington School and to work with the Local Authority to design this into the plans for the new, campus-style school that we were able to open in 2009. In addition to other ‘core’ aspects of the curriculum, I also believe that it is essential that the secondary school offers a robust programme of personal, social and health education and that this is fully integrated into the culture and ethos of the school’s daily practices.

Following my formal retirement in 2011, I then worked part-time for 5 years as the Behaviour Partnership Coordinator for the 7 secondary schools in the Central Warwickshire Area. The main thrust of this role was to prevent the permanent exclusion of students by working closely with them, their families and their schools in order to resolve existing difficulties by setting up alternative educational opportunities. I greatly enjoyed this work and believe that we achieved a large measure of success across the 7 schools.

After graduating, Mrs Turner taught for 25 years in comprehensive, bilateral and grammar schools and in Further Education colleges. She then worked as a local authority education inspector (including as Reg.I. for Ofsted). She was responsible for the TVEI project in Warwickshire, Careers education, vocational and16-19 issues as well as being link inspector for 20+ schools: nursery, primary and comprehensive secondary.

TVEI in the county had a strong emphasis on schools and teachers working together, sharing experience and expertise – a relatively new way of working in the 80s and 90s. Her expertise in Careers work was recognised by TVEI nationally by her involvement in policy making and contributions to national Careers publications. At the heart of this work, and also in the fast-changing world of vocational and 16-19 education was the management of change and the use of well-founded evidence in the development of local policy.

Mrs Turner has been a governor in local schools – both primary and secondary - since 1970 (except for the period she worked for the county council), including extended periods as Chair in both sectors. Following her retirement, she became more fully involved in school governance at county level, becoming chair of both the local Governors Forum and the Schools Forum, as well as co-option as a governor representative on the Warwickshire County Council O & S committee. During this period she also served as the Chair of an Interim Executive Board for a secondary school and as the Trustee of an Academy. Her wide and varied experience and her ability to work in a range of contexts were, we believe, valued by these bodies.

I started teaching in 1973. I taught in two town junior schools and then moved onto the headship of a small rural primary school. From there I was seconded to Northampton University, then a teacher training college, by HMI to develop their non-discriminatory practice primarily in terms of race. During this time I worked within ITT and ran courses for head teachers on matters of equality both within the curriculum and in terms of management and HR issues. It came to an abrupt end when I was asked to immediately take over a school where the head teacher had committed suicide and the staff and pupils were in trauma.

Following the secondment I was appointed to the head ship of an inner town lower school with a diverse pupils population. The school became very well known for its inclusive anti-racist practice, IT and design. I was part of a team of Head Teacher and advisors who ran weekend training sessions for other head teachers on the new initiative of local management of schools.

From there I became the manager of the Multicultural Education Service with a staff in excess of 120. During that time we developed clear anti-racist guidelines for schools, developed curriculum resources and curriculum plans which were sold nationally, contributed to a wide range of local and national conferences and training, work with the Race equality Commission to develop national guidelines in that field. OFSTED rated the Service as a 1 which in modern terms would be outstanding. I was also for a time doubling up as the acting head teacher of an infant’s school covering the absence of the head teacher over 2 terms.

I also acted as a senior equalities officer to the county council. I developed equalities monitoring systems and initiated and led on anti-homophobia packs for schools (the first in the country) and other organisations. I was particularly proud to work with a committee to erect a memorial to Walter Tull. For a short time I was an acting Senior Education Officer for special schools, from which I became the executive head teacher of a secondary SEBD school in special measures. When it came out of special measures two years later I retired and worked with excluded teenagers and young people with mental health issues on a one to one basis. I was asked by the LA to come out of retirement to be the head teacher of a junior school in special measures which came out of category two years later. During that time I worked with the local infants and secondary school to create the first all through school in our county. Something I repeated a few years later in another town when I acted as head teacher of the junior school, then the infant school and then special unit leader in the secondary school. For three years I coordinated the training and development of 19 schools in a cluster arrangement whilst also working with Warwick University delivering a unit of study to undergraduates on a BA Course in early years and as part of the ITT team. I now act as the link between the university and a consortium of schools training at present 12 post graduate trainees. My role is to moderate grades and to quality control the training.

As a former member of the board of Education Excellence for All, an academy sponsor, I was the instigator of our programme to build and establish an outstanding special school in our locality. This opened in September 2016. I was also the interim head teacher of one of the primary schools joining the MAT and retired in August 16.

Having been a governor at Southam College for many years, latterly as the Chair, I am a founding Member and Trustee of the Stowe Valley Multi Academy Trust.

I have now retired but my working career was predominantly as a senior Accountant in various commercial and public organisations. I have, however, also been a Financials Systems Implementation Consultant, a Project Manager and an IT Service Desk Manager.

In my spare time I played a range of sports (mainly Rugby, Badminton and Athletics). With regard to the latter, I was an Athletic coach for children aged 9 to 18; a competition Field Judge; and a Junior Team Manager at Leamington Athletics Club.

I am committed to the vision statement of the Trust and how this will affect all the stakeholders (pupils, parents, staff, and the local community). At the same time, being an Accountant, I will endeavour to ensure that the Trust is governed on a sound financial basis so that it can grow and continue to provide the best education possible for all its pupils.

Having been a governor at Southam College for many years, latterly as the Chair, I am a founding Member and Trustee of the Stowe Valley Multi Academy Trust.

I have now retired but my working career was predominantly as a senior Accountant in various commercial and public organisations. I have, however, also been a Financials Systems Implementation Consultant, a Project Manager and an IT Service Desk Manager.

In my spare time I played a range of sports (mainly Rugby, Badminton and Athletics). With regard to the latter, I was an Athletic coach for children aged 9 to 18; a competition Field Judge; and a Junior Team Manager at Leamington Athletics Club.

I am committed to the vision statement of the Trust and how this will affect all the stakeholders (pupils, parents, staff, and the local community). At the same time, being an Accountant, I will endeavour to ensure that the Trust is governed on a sound financial basis so that it can grow and continue to provide the best education possible for all its pupils.

I have been involved in education for over 35 years, and during that time I have seen many changes in education, curriculum and management of schools.

During my teaching career I taught all ages from 5-16 in special schools in Coventry. I began with teaching children with moderate learning difficulties, evolving over the years to children on the autistic spectrum, severe learning difficulties, and latterly complex needs and behaviour difficulties.

I was a member of the special school’s maths working party developing schemes of work across all the special schools in Coventry for children working below national curriculum level 1, which worked alongside the national curriculum. We also developed moderation materials to be used across the schools, which could also be used in mainstream schools.

I have been involved in governance for 23 years. For several years I was a governor in a village primary school, becoming Chair when the school went into special measures. I am also a governor in an outstanding secondary school. I attend regular training, and my most recent has been around Safeguarding and Safer Recruitment in schools.

I have been involved in Pre School/ School Governance for the past 12 years, first as Secretary and then Chair of the Southam Primary PreSchool Management Committee, and then with the Governing Body of Southam Primary School. I became a Trustee for Stowe Valley MAT in March 2017, having been involved with its development as Chair of Governors at Southam Primary. I have also become Vice Chair of the Temporary Governing Body at Bilton School on behalf of the Trust Board.

Prior to having children I worked for many years as a Children and Families Social Worker, Service Manager and Service Commissioner, including working as a Joint Commissioner across Health, Education and Social care. I have an MBA in Public Services Management . I have particular interests and experience in the following areas:

• Children and Young People with Special Education Needs and Disabilities
• Service commissioning/ development for children with complex needs
• Safeguarding and child protection
• Child and adolescent mental health
• Staff development and performance management
• Governance

I started my teaching career as a History teacher in 1993 at Foxford School in Coventry. I moved to Alderman Callow in 1998 to take on the role of Head of History. I remained at Alderman Callow until 2004 and was promoted to the position of Assistant Headteacher responsible for Teaching and Learning. In 2004 I moved to Aston Manor School in Birmingham to take on the role of Deputy Headteacher responsible for Teaching and Learning/Standards/Achievement. In 2009 I took on the role of Headteacher at Southam College. Since this time the school has achieved two outstanding Ofsted reports and is consistently one of the top performing schools nationally. I am currently Executive Principal of the Stowe Valley MAT, whilst continuing to work as the Head of Southam College. I am also National Leader of Education.

Throughout my career I have had the pleasure of working with hugely talented and dedicated students and staff. They have helped me to formulate a belief that all children have massive potential, and with appropriate support can achieve absolutely anything. I live by this belief on a daily basis and remain grateful for having the privilege of working with such talented students, staff and Governors.

In 2016 I worked with a core group of Governors to set up the Stowe Valley Multi Academy Trust. The Trust has now grown to include two secondary schools and two primary schools (Feb 2018). I am passionate about the Trust supporting schools and communities to make a positive impact on the life of every child.

My name is Mark Billsborough and I live in Stockton. I have an 8 year old daughter who attends Stockton Primary and I was previously a Parent Governor at her school.

I’m originally from Northern Ireland but after studying in Wales I remained on the “Mainland”. I have a science background but moved into the commercial and finance sectors. For the last 18 years I’ve worked in the Energy industry, in senior roles ranging from wholesale energy trading, risk management and renewable investment. I’ve worked extensively across Europe and have led teams in Sweden, Germany and Italy. I’m therefore familiar with governance of large commercial businesses, financial and investment modelling, management of professional multi-discipline teams and of course, the energy sector.

I currently work in an energy supplier in Warwick. I’ve recently joined the Stowe Valley MAT and hope to use my skills and experience to enhance our growing community of schools.

I have been associated with Southam College for the past 13 years. I was a Parent Governor for 9 years, and Chair of Governors for 5 of those years.

Both my daughters attended Southam College and are currently studying Quantity Surveying (Sheffield Hallam University) and Speech and Language Therapy (Cardiff Metropolitan University) respectively. They both benefitted from the guidance and support that the outstanding staff offer to all the students. In addition to academic rigour, the students have access to a wide range of extra-curricular activities that help them to develop the life skills, resilience and self-belief to equip them for the world of work. These are opportunities that I believe should be available to all students supported within the MAT.

A former Nurse and NHS Manager, I retrained as a Social Worker, completing my Degree at Coventry University in 2013. Having relocated to Derbyshire in 2015, I am currently working at Derby City Council with the Preparing For Adulthood Team. I work with 14 - 25 year olds who have a complex learning disabilty and specialise in Safeguarding investigation and Mental Capacity Assessment. In addition, I am the lead Social Work Practitioner in Derby for EHCP's (Education Health and Care plans - formally Statement of Special Needs) and I see my role as integral to promoting the educational opportunities for all young people.

Whilst living in Southam, I worked for 9 years with Orbit housing as a non-executive director, and served as a JP working predominantly in Family Court.

I am able to bring commercial and public sector management experience to the MAT, with a sound understanding of financial management, human resources, marketing and strategic planning. I am confident to challenge the status quo, and debate ideas and thinking. I champion fairness, equality and justice and lifelong learning.

All young people deserve the best education possible to equip them for the opportunity and challenge of the exciting world we live in - as a parent I am pleased to be able to support the MAT to "be the best" for every student.

My name is Iain Geddes, I am the Head of Regulatory Development for HSBC UK. I have worked for HSBC for 22 years and have undertaken a number of senior roles in the UK and the United States, managing teams of regulatory compliance professionals across 55 countries. I have significant governance, risk and regulatory experience spanning multiple lines of business.

I studied Law and Computer Science at DeMontfort University and have an MBA from Birmingham University. I am committed to continuous learning and am currently studying for an MSc in Financial Regulation and Compliance.

I am a proud father of two girls who are/have attended both Southam Primary and Southam College. The quality and variety of their education, and the education of all young people, has never been more important and I believe that the skills that I can bring will make a significant contribution to the strategic direction and governance of the MAT.

I currently work for Novus as the Head of Education at Rainsbrook Secure Training Centre for young offenders. I began my teaching career in 2005 as an English teacher. I have a real passion for alternative provision having spent 6 years working in Coventry secondary schools gaining an invaluable insight into the lives of children and young people from one of the most deprived wards in the city. I grew up in Warwickshire and now live in Northamptonshire and retain close links to the Stowe Valley MAT; my nephews attend Southam College and my sisters and I are ex-Southam High pupils.

My work in Coventry as Secondary Schools representative led me to be involved in the following: Anti-Bullying Steering Group; Prevent Group (counter terrorism) with West Midlands Police; Standards & Effectiveness Quality Assurance Group with Coventry Children’s Safeguarding Board and Coventry Primary Network Group. I have previously been a Governor of a large feeder primary school with curriculum being my specialism. I was the designated safeguarding officer, the LAC designated teacher, the Prevent trainer (being Home Office Trained) and the Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance SLT link in my last role. This meant that I was a pivotal member of the SLT and have a wide ranging knowledge of pastoral issues as well as academic and curriculum knowledge.

I believe in access to a quality education for all children and young people. At my previous school, I was instrumental in the research, creation, introduction and continuing work of the Extended Learning Centre which caters for permanently excluded students across the city as well as the school’s own students at risk of permanent exclusion. I therefore worked with many young people with complex emotional, social and learning needs. I also worked closely with agencies to ensure alternative provision throughout the city met the needs of the students and the standards expected.

I have a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership and Innovation from the University of Warwick as well as my NPQH (headteacher qualification) from Edgehill University.

I believe that my experience in such diverse settings will be beneficial to the Stowe Valley MAT. Personally and professionally, I am keen to build links with an outstanding MAT and develop positive, mutually beneficial relationships.

I'm a Chartered Accountant working as an Automotive Finance Director and living near Southam. I have two grown up children aged 18 and 20 and served as a Governor at their primary school for nine years previously. I've also been a Parish Councillor, Charity Treasurer and Tennis Club Secretary and I enjoy most sports including cycling, sailing and horse riding.

I want to continue to support my community through being a Trustee and bringing my skills and knowledge including team building, change management and commercial acumen to improve the outcome for all of those associated with Stowe Valley Multi Academy Trust.

I believe that all of us continue to learn something new every day and our ability to learn and our appetite for learning is developed from a young age, meaning that education in our schools has to be the number one priority for any civilised society.

Peter is a recently retired primary school headteacher. He is very pleased to be appointed as a Trustee and hopes to use his experience to enhance the development of the quality education the Trust provides.

He has worked extensively in school leadership, also having a spell working at the Department for Education and the National College for School Leadership. He has had experience of school inspection and has supported school development in the UK, Australia and Scandinavia.

He is a great believer in offering children all the opportunities possible during their time at school and building a close partnership with parents. It is essential that the schools within the Trust continue to enable the children to fulfil their potential and become life-long learners.

With 4 grown up children Peter has had experience of all stages of education from Nursery school to University.