Governors

Mr Greg Evans

Member of Trust

Co-Chair of Board

Mrs Gina Stroud

Co-Chair of Board

Member of Trust

Dr Kevin Bawn

Principal

Member Of Trust

Clyst Vale is a fantastic College with a boundless ‘human’ ethos.  We have had our challenges since 2001, but have maintained that ethos throughout, while striving to achieve the best outcomes possible for our students.

Mr Simon Sanger-Anderson

Member of Trust

Committed to ensuring that the governing body gives the support and encouragement to the Principal and senior leadership team so that in their turn they are best able to help our students achieve their full potential both academically and in extra curricula activities such as sport and the arts, so that they can leave us and enter the world of work with confidence and every chance of success.

Mr Crawford Winlove

Member Appointed Governor

He delivers hands-on science sessions at schools around the country, and has taken a proactive role in helping Clyst Vale to build better links to the University. With his support, Clyst Vale students have been involved in several high-profile activities with the University in recent years. Most recently, work with the science department has helped to establish a programme of regular visits by Medical School students to support the learning of A level students.

His research uses neuroimaging to understand human behaviour, with particular interests in imagination, addiction and child mental health.

Mrs Dorf Ruscoe

My initial involvement with the College began 5 years ago helping in a backstage capacity, with the performing arts events. It was during this time I gained insight into the how the College functioned, but most significantly, I became aware of the overall culture and ethos of the College. I observed a truly caring community. Care, provided not just by staff to students, but most noticeably from students to students.

My professional career has been mainly focused on Primary Care Nursing and Higher Education, working strategically both internationally and nationally. Prior to my retirement in 2012 I led the General Practice Unit at Plymouth University where I still retain an Honorary Associate Professorship. I also continue in my role as an accreditation assessor of educational programmes for the Royal College of General Practitioners.

I have had the privilege of being a member appointed of the Governing Board for the past year and this has been an enjoyable but quite steep learning experience. My husband and I have lived in East Devon for the past 30 years and I am very committed to helping the College in any way I can during these very challenging and changing times for education.

Tina White

Originally from Southampton I moved to the south west in 2003, in 2011 my husband secured a teaching post at Saint Andrews International High School in Malawi. During these years I worked as the E-learning manager for the high school and I developed and managed the website for the primary school. In 2014 we returned to the UK and moved to Henley-on-Thames.

In 2011 as a mature student I gained a BSc in Management and Management systems. I currently work for Exeter College where I assess Digital Marketing Apprenticeships. Previously I worked for CIM (Chartered institute of Marketing) within CIMAcademy, where I developed the new online e-learning platform.   In my previous career I worked within the Travel Industry working for companies such as TUI, Thomas cook and P&O Princess Cruises.

I have one son at CVCC in year 7 and my other son is in year 5 at Whipton Barton.  I believe parents should support the school and its staff to help to provide the best education, as well as extracurricular activities.  I believe that both an academic and vocational education should be available to all children as well as sports and performing arts.  I truly believe technology is extremely important in providing children the skills they need for the future.

As well as a keen interest in technology and design I have been an enthusiastic participant of amateur dramatics.  My dying scene as queen Rat in Dick Whittington is renowned in Henley-on-Thames.

Ms Ceri Johnson

Vice Chair of Board

I read History at Jesus College, Oxford, and then studied for an MA in Curatorship at Leicester University. I spent ten years working as a curator, eight of which were with the National Trust in Devon. I then joined the national arts development agency, Arts Council England, and have been a visual arts specialist for their South West region since 2000. My present job involves monitoring financial and managerial performance for a group of organisations in receipt of public funding, attending Board meetings, and making recommendations about governance and programme issues. In addition, I assess and make recommendations about applications for public funding, and provide advice for artists and arts organisations about their development.

In addition to the visual arts, I am passionate about music, literature and the arts in general.

Mr Ben Brook

Parent Governor

I have experience of managing finance, human resources, health and safety, marketing and property functions gained within both the education and private sectors. I am currently a member of the leadership team of another successful secondary school where I manage the non-teaching operations of the Academy. I also have commercial experience, most recently as a regional manager for a department store group in the South West. The experience I gained in my time as a co-opted Governor for another outstanding secondary school in West Devon has also helped me to understand the part that Governors play in supporting a school’s leadership team.

The role of Governor was described to me as being like a ‘critical friend’ and I am committed to providing the constructive challenge and support that is vital for the health of any organisation.

Parent Governor

Mrs Melanie Prance

Mr Paul Colin

Staff Governor

I joined Clyst Vale in 1990 as Second in Science from my previous post in Hertfordshire, and subsequently became Head of Science and timetabler. In 2005 I joined the Senior Leadership Team to lead the Specialist School programme. I have attended Governors’ meetings for many years as part of my various roles and I welcome the opportunity to represent the staff as a Governor.

Dr Lévon Stephan

Co-opted

Governor

Member of Trust

My main interests include playing Table Tennis, skiing, cooking and walking my very active Cocker Spaniel. I am also a parish Councillor for Rewe Parish Council and regularly play the harmonica at St. Andrew’s Church in Cullumpton. My greatest attribute is being enthusiastic about everything.

My son Anton attended Clyst Vale Community College and left in 2014 with excellent grades to read Biology at Southampton University where he has just graduated from with a First class degree. He really had an amazing time at Clyst Vale and I can honestly say that he loved every minute of his time here. We chose Clyst Vale after visiting on open day in Year 6 where we immediately felt the genuine care of all the teachers and saw the happiness of the students. It was that initial experience that made me really want to become more involved with the College so I joined the Governing Board in 2007. I have since been involved in the thrill of Academy conversion, motivated by the enthusiasm of its committed staff and have felt really proud when celebrating the excellent performance achieved by our students in all areas, academic and otherwise.

After my son left, I became a co-opted Governor and a Board Member of the Academy Trust, as I truly want to continue being part of CVCC’s success story.

Co-Opted Governor

My close attention to detail and problem solving skill set enable me to assist and support the governing body, the Principal and the Senior Leadership Team so that they make the best decisions for the college and its students. 

At home, I keep busy with my two young daughters and live for the outdoors. I can often be found cycling around the Devon countryside and walking the dog.
I am also a trustee and member of Exeter Round Table.

Ms Deborah Custance-Baker

With effect from 1st September 2017