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 College

01392 461407

Mr Greg Evans

Member Appointed Governor

Member of Trust

Co-Chair of Board

I have been very fortunate throughout my career in being able to influence and make a difference to young people’s lives through teaching both inside the classroom and outside, ensuring that learning and enjoyment are key elements whilst studying. This has been either as a teacher, Head of Department, Assistant Principal, Head Teacher and Governor. Both of my children attended Clyst Vale Community College and both achieved great success, and I hope that my role as Governor is a small way in which I can give something back to the school community. I have previously worked for AMSI Group in Dubai as an Educational Consultant inspecting schools and preparing them for KHDA Inspections. I have run a successful Department through a number of Ofsted inspections, and latterly two schools through the Inspection process. I believe that integrity, a sense of realism and the desire to achieve outstanding are key to driving and developing success, as is a sense of humour.

Mrs Gina Stroud

Co-opted 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 so in total this is my 17^th Year of being a Governor! All three of my children are at university, two completing Masters Degrees, the third is studying for her first degree. 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 (still), reading, walking (Dartmoor) and sport in general.

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 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 Tina White

Parent Governor

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.

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

Ms Ceri Johnson

Parent Governor

Vice Chair of Board

I became a Parent 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.

Mrs Melanie Prance

Staff Governor

I have been teaching Mathematics at Clyst Vale since 2006 and am currently KS3 Maths coordinator, with responsibility for Gifted and Talented maths provision. I came to teaching following a career break to raise my family. Prior to that I worked in the city as a currency and bond analyst, working in London and New York with a two year stint in Tokyo training local analysts. Teaching maths is a passion and I thoroughly enjoy working with secondary age students as each day is different and each day I learn something new. I became a staff governor in the academic year 2012/13 in order to broaden my understanding of the mechanics of how a whole school actually works and to represent staff on the governing body. Outside of school I take a keen interest in art and enjoy working on my own artistic projects. I have a 20 year old daughter currently studying English at Kings, London.

Dr Aude Odunlade

Staff Governor

Vacancy

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.

Ms Deborah Custance-Baker

Clerk to Governors

Please use this link to the Register of Interests 17-18

Please use this link to the Committee Structure 17 – 18

The Board of Trustees formally met 4 times during the year 2015/16. Attendance during the year at meetings of the Board of Trustees and Committees was as follows:

Trustee	Meetings attended	Out of a possible
K Bawn (Principal & Accounting Officer)	13	14
Ben Brook	08	09
P Colin (Staff Trustee)	10	11
S Collins (Resigned)	06	06
G Evans (Co-Chair)	05	08
T Grieve	08	10
C Johnson	06	07
M Prance (Staff Trustee)	06	08
D Ruscoe	07	08
G Stroud (Co-Chair)	09	10
S Sanger Anderson	08	09
L Stephan	10	10
S Watt (Resigned)	03	03
C Winlove	02	08

Trustee	Meetings attended	Out of a possible
K Bawn (Principal & Accounting Officer)	15	16
Ben Brook	11	12
P Colin (Staff Trustee)	10	11
M Davies	07	11
G Evans (Co-Chair)	12	12
T Grieve	05	05
C Johnson	12	12
M Prance (Staff Trustee)	06	08
D Ruscoe	10	11
G Stroud (Co-Chair)	11	12
S Sanger Anderson	11	13
L Stephan	09	12
T White	02	06
C Winlove	10	11