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Term Dates

Prospectus

Local Governing Board

Committees

Student and Community

Helen Kerr – School Adviser

Linda Baines - School Adviser

Laura Rossiter - School Adviser

Pete Gear (Vice Chair)

Amanda McClean

Martin Sandford (Chair)

Gemma Pugh

Sophia Oleszynski

Daniela Coy
Chair of Local Governing Board – Toby Corden
Vice Chair of Local Governing Board – Andrew Hawkins
Health and Safety Governor – Sarah Marsh
Equality Governor – Sarah Marsh
Student Leadership Link Governor – Sophia Oleszynski
Safeguarding & Child Protection Governor – Martin Sandford
SEN Governor – Andrew Hawkins
Clerk to the Governors - Lesley Shellard
Link Governor Roles
Finance/HR incl Staff Wellbeing/H&S/Equalities  Sarah Marsh
Communication/Parental Engagement Amanda McClean
Individual Learning incl Literacy Kevin Eames
SEN Andrew Hawkins
Computing & Business Toby Corden
Safeguarding/LAC/Mental Health incl Pupil Wellbeing Martin Sandford
Attendance & Behaviour Pete Gear
English Kevin Eames
Numeracy & Maths Andrew Hawkins
Design/Food/Technology & Vocational Andrew Hawkins (+ 'closing the gap')
Humanities incl PSHE & Social Sciences Gemma Pugh (+ Whistleblowing)
Post-16 Martin Sandford
Science Andrew Hawkins
Modern Foreign Languages Daniela Coy & Sophia Oleszynski (+ Student Voice)
Careers Education/Guidance Amanda McClean
Expressive Arts Pete Gear
PE Pete Gear

 

 
 
  1. Governor Meetings 2023-24
  2. Governing Body Committee Attendance 2022-2023
  3. Link Governance
  4. Register of Business Interests

Toby Corden

Chair of Local Governing Board

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Daniela Coy

Governor

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Dr Kevin Eames

Governor

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Pete Gear

Governor

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Andrew Hawkins

Vice Chair of Governors

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Sarah Marsh

Governor

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Amanda McClean

Governor

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Sophia Oleszynski

Governor

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Ben Pope

Staff Governor

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Gemma Pugh

Governor

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Ben Rhodes

Headteacher

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Martin Sandford

Governor

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Toby Corden

Chair of Local Governing Board

I re-joined the governing body in 2021 having previously completed 3 years from 2015-18. I have two children, the eldest has just joined The John of Gaunt School in Year 7 and the youngest who is still at The Grove Primary School. I have worked in financial services for over 15 years across a variety of positions including financial advice and leadership roles. I have been wanting to return to the governing body as I found my previous experience of working to support the school a fulfilling one and would recommend the role to friends and colleagues who are thinking about getting involved. John of Gaunt continues to grow and has made excellent progress in these past few years and I look forward to being a part of the ongoing success with the school’s strong desire to provide a first class learning environment for students from all backgrounds to realise their true potential.

Daniela Coy

Governor

Having had two children attend JOG, one of whom is still in the school, I have a very strong interest in the school maintaining its high standards and excellent pastoral care. Through the role of governor, I hope to give something back to the school community. I have a degree in Classical Studies from the University of Liverpool and a PGCE in Primary Education from the University of Winchester. I was a primary school teacher in Berkshire and have taught across both Key Stage One and Two. Throughout my career, I undertook various responsibilities and roles and very much enjoyed being a classroom teacher. Although I didn’t return to teaching after having a family, I have always been heavily involved with my children’s primary schools. For example, I was part of the PTA committees and helped to organise a variety of fundraising events over the years. In 2020 I started work at JOG as an Invigilator and have enjoyed the experience of working within a secondary school and of being with the older aged children.

Dr Kevin Eames

Governor

Both my children attended John of Gaunt, and I have, as a result, always had a great interest in and respect for this school. My professional life has been devoted to education and I have taught at all levels from primary to Masters, having worked in schools, university and the local authority’s advisory service. I have also worked at national level as a consultant on assessment in English, as well as writing and editing textbooks and carrying out classroom-based research in this country and abroad. I’m particularly interested in teachers’ professional development, and in helping to improve students’ learning. I am at present the link governor for English, Literacy and Individual Learning.

Pete Gear

Governor

I am married with a son who is currently at The John of Gaunt School where I began as a Governor in September 2017. Prior to this I was a Governor at Newtown Community Primary School for 7 years. Before retiring I worked with both young people and adults who had substance misuse problems, this varied work was both hard and extremely rewarding. In my spare time I am involved in a local stationary engine club and spend a lot of time rebuilding, restoring and showing many of these engines at steam rallies all over the country. I am the link governor for PE, Expressive Arts and Behaviour and Attendance.

Andrew Hawkins

Vice Chair of Governors

I have worked for Wiltshire College in the Estates and Facilities team for many years. Previously, I taught English in China for nine years. I started my career as an apprentice maintenance engineer and later progressed through university to a research-based MSc. in Engineering. Both my children attended John of Gaunt, the last leaving in 2019. I also attended the school, starting in the school's second year as a comprehensive. I have been a governor since 2011 and am link governor for maths, science and SEN.

Sarah Marsh

Governor

I am a proud Mum of 2, my son completed his GCSE’s in 2019 and is now a hardworking member of the community. My daughter completed her GCSE’s in 2021 and is now studying music at BIMM Institute in Bristol. I also attended the school a long time ago! I am a civil servant and am now fortunate to work from home most of the time, my career has been in business admin & management, focusing on customer service and continuous improvement. I have been a governor for a year now, and am a link governor for Equalities. I enjoy being able to give something back to the school which has given much to my family.

Amanda McClean

Governor

I am a busy accountant leading a finance team within a company in Trowbridge and am very proud to have been selected as a parent governor, having both of my children currently attend John of Gaunt in years 10 & 11. Previous roles in education have shown me what a huge and positive impact a good school can have on a person’s overall development and this is something I feel very passionate about. I have been hugely impressed by the teaching staff and ethos here and both of my children are having a very positive and fulfilling experience at John of Gaunt. I am looking forward to being able to make a positive contribution to the education and welfare of our students and help ensure that John of Gaunt maintains its excellent standards.

Sophia Oleszynski

Governor

I attended The John of Gaunt School from 2003-2010 and had a great experience whilst studying here, therefore, feel a personal affinity to the overall success of the school. I have a real passion for education and ensuring that it is accessible to all young people, regardless of their circumstances. I have over 12 years' experience of working within the Further Education sector, specifically within the Business Support side as a Head of MIS and Reporting. Due to the nature of my current role, I have strong audit and compliance skills along with being able to analyse data and produce reports. I also have experience of working with young people of all ages through being a Girl guiding Leader.

Ben Pope

Staff Governor

I have worked in education now for a little over 6 years, with the last 18 months having been at John of Gaunt. Previous to this I used to work for clinical trials centre in south Wales running and managing a biological lab. I have always been interested in the art of passing along knowledge and understanding, and I feel teaching was a rational move for me. I look forward to helping shape the school from the perspective of both a governor and a teaching staff member.

Gemma Pugh

Governor

As a former pupil and now parent, I have a keen interest in the strategic development and success of this school. I have many skills which are transferrable to education and so believe I can contribute to the board; ensuring the school is innovative and continues to sustainably transform. I have worked for the NHS for 24 years, initially as a Physiotherapist, and now as Associate Director for the BaNES, Swindon and Wiltshire (health and care) Academy. My specialist interest is service redesign, innovation, workforce transformation and development. I have board level experience, am a qualified project manager, and lead multi organisation meetings.

Ben Rhodes

Headteacher

I have proudly served the community of Trowbridge in my capacity as a member of The John of Gaunt senior leadership team for 7 years. My main responsibilities are based around the quality of curriculum, timetabling the curriculum, the school's learning environment and the effectiveness of our distributed leadership and the progress of disadvantaged students. I have experience of working in 6 different schools with responsibilities in pastoral, pedagogical and curriculum roles. I have had senior leadership roles in 4 of these schools and am a Specialist Leader of Education supporting the development of middle-leadership. I am passionate about my profession and I am driven to ensure I can help provide our students with the best life-chances possible. I feel privileged to work within such a child-centred school. Outside of teaching I coach the Under 15 Bath Junior Rugby squad and enjoy either hosting or visiting Trowbridge Rugby Football Club and competing against a few familiar faces!

Martin Sandford

Governor

I have recently joined the Governing body but prior to that had a long association with John of Gaunt as the school's external Careers Adviser, and, more recently, supporting Children in Care for Wiltshire Council. Previously, I taught in various secondary schools for 25 years, finishing as a Head of Sixth Form. I have wide academic interests, beginning with my degree in Geography and Economics, but extending to Business Studies, Politics, Maths and Environmental Science. I have twice served as a primary school Governor, but am now delighted to be given the opportunity to support older children again at John of Gaunt. School and community sports particularly football, refereeing, and walking long distance footpaths, are further interests.
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