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Cotham School

Cotham Governors

To contact the governors please email SowersbyL@cotham.bristol.sch.uk

 

Dora Alderson

Governor Appointed by Members

I have been a governor since the early 1990s, when I was a Parent governor and member of the COMPAS parent support group for music, drama and dance. I am now a Community governor and, as former Chair of the Personnel & Training Committee, I have contributed to the strategic decisions of the Governing Body on Human Resources issues. I have many years’ experience of teaching geography and politics at secondary level here in Bristol and have a keen interest in current issues of teaching and learning, which I bring to the Learning and Wellbeing Committee. I am concerned to support the school in developing pathways to success for all students, whatever their abilities and interests. 

 

Emma Smith

Co-opted Governor

I am a single parent of two children at the Post 16 Centre and another still at primary school.  I live locally and am a Chartered Certified Accountant, so my background is in audit and accountancy, financial reporting, budgeting, cashflow and people management.  I have worked as a Senior Manager for a bank for fifteen years but I have also been a school bursar and a management accountant.  In all of my jobs I have always been involved with charity fundraising by organising large social events.  In my spare time I sing in a choir, which I set up ten years ago, write scripts and act on stage.

 

Fatima Mohamed Ali

 Co-opted Governor

A serving primary school teacher with extensive experience in the education sector. A commissioner of education on the mayoral ‘Commission for Race Equality’. Committed to racial justice and equality. Currently working on embedding an anti-racism work in Bristol schools by diversifying and decolonising curriculums. Committed to increasing the diversity and representation of Black teachers in Bristol. Currently mentoring Black graduates new to the profession.  Dedicated to serving the community I am from. Currently working in collaboration with a group of other local Somali Educators.

 

 

Isabel Tobias
 

Governor Appointed by Members

Chair of Personnel and Training Committtee

I am a recently retired headteacher living in the Redland area, and thus I am very aware of the school’s strong profile and the positive impact it has on so many young people’s lives. I am privileged to now be a part of the governing body that oversees and supports Cotham’s Principal and her staff to this end.

As a teacher of many years, I bring extensive professional experience of working with young people and understanding their developmental, academic and mental health needs. As a recent head I also bring a deep understanding of the pressures on teachers and headteachers and commitment to providing the best possible educational experience to students; active experience of the scrutiny and compliance needed in all areas of education, and of HR processes in making appointments and managing staff at all levels. I bring experience of strategic planning and management and of implementing change, and overseeing seeing many new capital projects.

 

 

Jack Barber

Co-opted Governor

I started at Cotham in 2016 as a science teacher, and have quickly got involved with every aspect of school life, running clubs, trips, been Head of House and worked to help keep this school a fun and enjoyable place for staff and students alike. To keep this going and hopefully help more I was elected as one of three staff governors.

I am not afraid to speak my mind and want to help ensure the best outcomes for all staff and students.

I love this school and want to help its development in any way I can. A colleague here said to me ‘as soon as you understand why a decision has been made, it makes it easy to support’ and I believe I can make this happen.

I have worked at a number of schools across the country and have never been in a school that is as student focused as this one.

 

Jane Chamberlin

Parent Governor

Co-Chair of the Learning & Wellbeing Committee

I have two sons at Cotham School. I joined Cotham as a Parent Governor in November 2018. I am a solicitor working in Child Care law dealing with children in need, child protection and children in care for North Somerset Council.

 

Jo Butler

Headteacher

 

John Bass

Co-opted Governor

Vice Chair of Finance, Premises and General Purposes Committee

I have two sons at Cotham School; One in Year 13 and my youngest in Year 11. I joined Cotham as a Parent Governor in March 2016. I am a chartered surveyor and work in the areas of project and risk management and financial control within the construction Industry. I am community focussed and have in the past worked within the management committee of a primary school after school club.. I believe that all children should be given the best opportunities and support possible to reach their potential and that their experience at school should be challenging, interesting, rewarding but fun.

 

Jo Feather

Parent Governor

Co-Vice Chair of Governors and Co-Chair of the Learning & Wellbeing Committee

I have been a governor at Cotham since late 2014.   I am a Gender and Social Development Consultant, working predominantly in Africa, supporting programmes addressing the rights of girls and women, increasing girls’ empowerment through education, life skills and sexual and reproductive health as well as various aspects of child protection.  I have 2 children one of whom is currently at Cotham.

 

 

Lucy Hunt

Governor Appointed by Members

Co-Vice Chair of Governors

I joined the Governing Body as a Parent Governor in 2018 and am Link Governor for Health and Safety. I am a project manager and producer with a wealth of experience specialising in education projects, creative workshops, conferences and large-scale performance events. I have worked for a wide range of arts organisations, festivals and educational establishments and have played an integral role in launching, coordinating and developing arts programmes locally, nationally and internationally. My experience encompasses all aspects of arts project management from fundraising, developing ideas, recruitment, PR and marketing, budgeting and financial planning to evaluation and review. I am currently the Engagement Director at Bristol Old Vic and leading on their learning, heritage and community strands.

 

Peter Huckle

Governor Appointed by Members

I am a Bristolian with over 42 years experience of teaching in the city. I had the good fortune to work with young people from 4-18, having been a Senior School Deputy Head and ending my career as the Head of a large local Infant and Junior School. As a senior leader, and as the governor of a local primary school, I have experienced governance from both sides of the table. I am passionate about education and committed to the benefits of lifelong learning, and engage in regular training with Bristol’s Governor Development Service. Following my father, who was proud to play in Cotham School teams alongside Arthur Milton in the 1940s, I also have a great passion for sport. I had a long career officiating in the world of professional rugby union, working in the Premiership, in Europe and at International matches and am now coaching elite Assistant Referees. I am delighted to have the opportunity to play a part in helping to shape an exciting future for Cotham School and hope to provide significant service and support to the school community.

 

Rebecca Reid

Parent Governor

Chair of Finance, Premises and General Purposes Committtee

I’m a Parent Governor, joining Cotham Governors in 2020, bringing a background of working in project management and business improvement in the public sector. I have a son at Cotham, who is just about to start his GCSE courses and I feel very privileged to be able to support Cotham in continuing to give our children the opportunities to thrive at school and become active members of our wider community

 

RICHARD PUTTICK

Parent Governor

Vice Chair of Personnel and Training Committee

I have recently joined Cotham’s governing body as a parent governor. A few years ago I was Chair of Governors at one of Cotham’s feeder primary schools and found that experience worthwhile as well as challenging. Seeing my daughters grow up and benefit from their education at Cotham has inspired me to look again at what I could contribute to the school. My background is as a consultant in the IT industry, defining and developing complex systems for banks, utilities and retailers in many different countries and cultures. It is good now to be working back in Bristol, as a CIO in government, with the opportunity to put my skills in project management, governance, finance and strategy to more local use.

 

 

 

Sandra Fryer

Co-opted Governor

Chair of Governors

 

 

 

 

Ian Spencer

Co-opted Governor

 

Sophie Hamilton

Parent Governor

 

Richard Storer

Parent Governor