Governors

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.

Mrs S Diffey

I grew up in Cornwall and moved to Exeter to attend University in 2002, where I studied Mathematics and went on to qualify as a Chartered Accountant in 2009.

I have three boys 2, 7 and 11, with the eldest starting Clyst Vale in September 2017, the other two attend primary school and nursery in Broadclyst, making us very much part of the fantastic community spirit.

In my day job I work with a large number of not for profit entities including academy schools, which has led me to develop a keen interest and passion for this sector.

I hope that I can bring my knowledge and experience to my new role as Governor and very much look forward to the challenges and learning that it brings.

In my spare time I enjoy cooking, baking and arts and crafts.

Dave Walter

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.

I believe in a level and fair playing field for all children whilst they are at school, a place where each child is treated as an individual and is encouraged to be the best they can be. This quality shines through at Clyst Vale, I see it my own child, in my child’s friends and I have witnessed it in the teachers and staff at the school.  Clyst Vale is a strong community school, with a strong community heartbeat.  It is this sense of shared community that I look forward to learning more about, encouraging and fostering over the coming months and years.

I read English Literature at Manchester University which I followed with an MA in English Literature at Vanderbilt University in the USA. Since I graduated I have been involved in marketing and communications.  I moved to Devon with my family about 12 years ago, but continue to work mainly in London, focusing on national and international awareness campaigns for a range of clients – from travel businesses to political causes.    I specialise in helping organisations strategically plan their future communications plans and help them better articulate their messages and values to their relevant audiences.  I hope to bring some of these skills to Clyst Vale.

Mrs Melanie Prance

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.