Ali McKenna | Chair

Responsible for - Sixth Form, Curriculum/quality of education, Academy, Performance Management

Having been a governor at my children’s primary school for eight years, it seemed an opportune time to join the governing body at The Cottesloe School when my youngest son joined the school. I am married with two sons. We are a sporty family, and our spare time is predominately spent on a football pitch. I am passionate about education and believe that every child should have the chance to maximise their potential. I’m delighted to have the opportunity to be part of a governing body that will continue to develop and raise the aspirations of the whole school.

Carolyn Stirk | Vice-Chair

Responsible for - Safeguarding, Academy, Policies, Equalities, Performance Management

I am very grateful to have been given the chance to involve myself in the Cottesloe community and use my time and enthusiasm as a governor to help and support the school.

I have two children and, when they were younger, I was secretary and safeguarding officer on their preschool’s management committee. I loved helping out with the school association at their primary school. I have a legal background and I have also worked for a non-governmental organisation dealing with conflict resolution, as well as overseas in the Japanese local government. I hope to use this experience and make a positive contribution to all aspects of the work undertaken by the board.

Ben Cleland | Parent Governor

Responsible for - Teaching & Learning, Data, Academy, Careers, CPD, Marketing

I come to this role from an operational background at an airline, a heavily regulated and safety-critical industry where the efficient management of resources is key to success. It has been essential for me to embrace working with and providing for people of all cultures and creeds, to be able to assess situations with conflicting and ambiguous information and to apply structure and objective reasoning to decision-making.

I am invested in the success of The Cottesloe School and volunteered time as a parent governor to help provide the school leadership team with the critical support a governing board delivers. Although new to school governance, it is clear that my input as a governor is to ensure the school continues to deliver its vision and strategy whilst providing the best education and financial performance possible from the resources available.

Elise West | Staff Governor

Responsible for - PHSE

Lucy Childey | Co-opted Governor

Responsible for - Behaviour, Pupil Premium, SEN

I live in Cheddington with my husband, two sons and Suki the dog.  My background is in Human Resource Management but when my two boys came along, I decided to take a step away from my career to look after my family.  

I spent a few years running around after my boys, before setting up a small online business selling personalised gift packaging.  The business fitted in perfectly with school hours and holidays, but after seven enjoyable years, I felt it was time to seek a new direction.  I have recently taken up the position of Teaching Assistant at Cheddington Combined School.  Given I now have both sons at The Cottesloe School, I thought it is an ideal opportunity to volunteer my time to the school.   I am excited to be given the opportunity as a governor to support the school in its continuing success.

Mark Watson | Local Authority Governor

Responsible for - Finance & Leadership team, GDPR, Health & Safety, IT

As a Governor of Overstone Combined, I have learnt many of the skills needed to be an effective school Governor, including finance, building maintenance and curriculum, with a special interest in maths and science. I’m active in the village community as a Group Scout Leader and have developed links with the school in delivering outdoor activities in support of wider learning for students. My eldest daughter actively chose The Cottesloe School because of the welcoming atmosphere and ‘can do’ attitude of the whole school; she is now flourishing. 

In my working life, I use forensic science skills in a wide variety of different crime scenes and am a line manager for twelve professional technicians. What’s that got to do with being a school governor? Well, it’s all in the analysis of detail, weighing of evidence and questioning what you’ve been told; all key skills for a Governor. With the introduction of accreditation to ISO quality standards within my profession, I am also leading the development and delivery of competency training across the workforce. I have a real passion for education, both formal and informal, and hope to be able to bring the right level of challenge and support to enable the senior leadership of the school to deliver the very best outcomes for all students and to build upon the excellent work already undertaken.

James Northen | Parent Governor

Responsible for - Finance & Leadership team, Development

I’m a father of three with twins at The Cottesloe School.  My motivation for becoming a governor is to give something back to the school that is educating our children, and in the belief I have some skills, knowledge and experience that can be useful to TCS’s governing body. 

My professional career has been spent in the food and grocery sector, where for over nearly 30 years, I have gained experience across a number of relevant disciplines, including: governance, finance, risk management and mitigation, strategic planning and delivery, leadership and management, commercial negotiation, advocacy and communications.

Helen Sunday | Partnership Governor

Responsible for - Behaviour and Wellbeing

Awaiting info