Governors

The Governors are a volunteer body who bring to the governance of the College their experience in the fields of education, commerce, the professions and public life and provide constructive challenge and support to the Senior Leadership Team. As a group we are committed to comprehensive education and serving the community.

Governors are elected for four years and are drawn from parents/carers, teaching staff and non-teaching staff who work within the College, as well as the wider community.

Responsibility for the day to day management of the College rests with the Principal and his senior leadership team.

We have Full Governors meetings at least once a term and we operate through two main sub-committees which usually meet twice each term and which report back to the Full Governors meeting.

Governors are primarily responsible for:

strategic oversight of the College
policy making
the budget/finance
the appointment of key staff

If you wish to contact the Governing Body please email or phone the Clerk to Governors; Mareena Anderson-Thorne

01392 463925

Mrs Gina Stroud

Governor

Co-Chair of Board

Member of Trust

I am a retired film executive, having spent the last 10 years of my career heading up MGMs International Operation and a trustee of their Boards. I came to Clyst Vale in 2011 and was co-opted to the Governing Board to bring additional management & marketing skills to support CVCC through its transition into an independent academy. In the past I have been Chair of Finance &Premises Committee, and Chair of Curriculum, Learning &Teaching, which have prepared me well for taking on the role of Co-Chair in 2016. Academies have challenging times ahead and CVCC is no different, we are experiencing cuts in budgets and have to consider becoming a multiple academy trust which entails finding and joining with other like minded academies in our area. In the 6 years I have been working with Clyst Vale I have always been impressed with their ethos, its inclusive approach and belief that all children deserve the best education possible. I am committed to supporting the staff and governing board in raising standards and helping our students to reach their full potential.

Dr Kevin Bawn

Principal

Member Of Trust

Originally from Dorset, I completed a BA and a PhD in History at Reading University, before gaining my PGCE at Oxford. Eight schools later, including a Deputy Headship at Exmouth and a Headship in Leicestershire, I became Principal at Clyst Vale in 2001. This is my 21st year of being a Governor! Two of my children are at university completing PhDs; the third works in digital marketing. All three attended Devon comprehensive schools. I remain passionate about education and the potential of young people, and continue to teach. Out of College, my interests include History, reading, travel (when possible!), sport in general and watching theatre – I like musicals!

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

Co-Chair of Board

Member Appointed Governor

Member of Trust

Proud father of two teenagers who are genuinely enjoying their time at the College.

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

Dr Crawford Winlove is a Lecturer in Neuroscience at the University of Exeter Medical School, where he leads the Neuroscience pathway. He also co-ordinates the Medical School’s outreach activities, and has a long-standing role in the admissions process.

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

Member Appointed Governor

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

Member Appointed Governor

Mrs Laura Waycott

Parent Governor

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

Parent Governor

Safeguarding Governor

Ms Ceri Johnson

Co-opted Governor

I became a Governor In January 2016 because I believe it’s vitally important that parents support schools to provide the best education for all our children. I have two sons at CVCC, in Years 7 and 9.

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

Since my daughter joined the College I have been impressed by the consistently positive and nurturing environment created for students. I am proud to play a small part in helping to ensure the College flourishes in my role as a 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.

Mrs Sophy Norris

Parent Governor

I became a Parent Governor of Clyst Vale December 2017. I have one child at the school already and one soon to join. I am a full time working mother, with a job that involves a lot of travel, so I thought hard about the commitments of becoming a Governor before putting myself forward. The opportunity however, to become involved in the development of Clyst Vale, a school I have been overwhelmingly impressed with since my daughter joined, was an opportunity I simply had to take.

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.

Vacancy

Staff Governor

Vacancy

Staff Governor

Mr Peter Skelton

Parent Governor

Vice Chair of Board

Mr Paul Colin

Co-Opted Governor

As a long-standing member of teaching staff, now retired, and former Staff Governor, Clyst Vale has been a big part of my life and I am delighted to now return as a co-opted Governor. After a period working in cancer research I started my teaching career in Hertfordshire and then moved to Clyst Vale in 1990. I was second in Science and then Head of Science at Clyst Vale before becoming the College timetabler and latterly Assistant Principal. I hope to be able use my knowledge of the College, the curriculum and wider College life to make a positive contribution to the work of the Governing Body.

Mr Michael Davies

Co-Opted Governor

I am a Solicitor and Partner in one of the South West’s leading law firms. I specialise in dispute resolution and help clients solve problems relating to land and property, both in and out of court.

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.

Mrs Mareena Anderson-Thorne

Clerk to Governors

Please use this link to the Register-of-Interests-Updated-20-21

Please use this link to the Committee-structure 2020-21

Attendance during the year at meetings of the Board of Trustees and Committees was as follows:

Governors Attendance Overview 19-20