The John Of Gaunt School

Student and Community
Helen Kerr – School Adviser Linda Baines - School Adviser Sara Ambrose - School Adviser	Jo Trigg (Chair) Pete Gear (Vice Chair) Amanda McClean Martin Sandford Helen Thorne Gemma Pugh

Resources & Audit
Paul Skipp – Headteacher Ellie Green – School Adviser Matt Doughty – School Adviser Nigel Reeves – School Adviser	David Whewell Pete Gear Jo Trigg Toby Corden (Chair) Glyn Coy (Vice Chair) Sarah Marsh Sophia Oleszynski

Curriculum, Learning & Educational Standards
Ben Rhodes – School Adviser	Kevin Eames (Vice Chair) Andrew Hawkins (Chair) Helen Thorne David Whewell Sarah Marsh Martin Sandford Ben Saghiri Ben Pope

Toby Corden

Governor

I re-joined the governing body in 2021 having previously completed 3 years from 2015-18. I have 2 children who attend The Grove Primary School and look forward to them hopefully joining John of Gaunt in the next few years. 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.

Glyn Coy

Governor

I currently work for DXC Technology leading a multinational team and am able to do a lot of my work from my home office and use technology to stay connected to the business. I have a background in law and accountancy, and am a qualified Barrister and Chartered Accountant. I have 3 sons, one of whom attended John of Gaunt and has just graduated from University and another has just started year 8. I am now entering my third year as a governor having previously served from 2014-2016. In my spare time I have an avid interest in photography and travel around Wiltshire taking photos for my blog, and I have a long standing interest in learning the Italian language which is still very much work in progress. I am the link governor for Finance, Policies, HR and Staff Wellbeing.

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, behaviour and attendance and also the “Whistleblowing” governor.

Andrew Hawkins

Co Vice Chair of Governors

I work for Wiltshire College in the Estates and Facilities team. 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 for 10 years and am link governor for numeracy, maths and science.

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 the Expressive Arts Faculty and also for Health & Safety. 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 9 & 10. 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 11 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 Senior lead for the BaNES, Swindon and Wiltshire (health and care) Academy. I programme manage large scale estate redesign, service improvement and am the freedom to speakup guardian. I have board level experience, am a qualified project manager, and lead multi organisation meetings across BaNES, Swindon and Wiltshire.

Ben Rhodes

Adviser to the Governors

I have proudly served the community of Trowbridge in my capacity as a member of The John of Gaunt senior leadership team for 6 years. My main responsibilities are based around the quality of curriculum, timetabling the curriculum, 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 13 Bath Junior Rugby squad and enjoy either hosting or visiting Trowbridge Rugby Football Club and competing against a few familiar faces!

Ben Saghiri

Governor

I am a new addition to the governing board as a governor. I work at Wiltshire College and University Centre as a technician in the Electrical department for the Building Services curriculum area. I have been in this role for 10+ years. My previous careers were in commercial print and as a driving instructor before I retrained as an electrician. Since being involved with education in my role as technician I have become qualified to assess and to teach. I have a son who attends John of Gaunt School. When I was approached and asked to become a school governor, I thought it only right to become more involved in my children's education and that of their peers. I hope to make a positive contribution to the school while in this role for those who both learn and work there.

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.

Paul Skipp

Headteacher

The John of Gaunt School is both vibrant and highly successful, it has a strong reputation for both academic and pastoral excellence and I feel very honoured to be the Headteacher. I am an experienced leader who has a strong track record in rapidly improving schools. Over almost 20 years I have worked as a senior leader in inner city Bristol and as a Headteacher in South Gloucestershire, I am also a Facilitator on the NPQH course that trains prospective Headteachers. I am a leader with drive and integrity who mixes both traditional and pioneering strategies, all centered on supporting students meet their potential. As Headteacher I am also an ex-officio governor.

Helen Thorne

Governor for SEN

I am a teacher at Silverwood School in Chippenham where I teach children with severe and profound learning difficulties-a job that I love. I am the link governor for SEND at John of Gaunt and a member of the Student and Community, and the Curriculum, Learning and Educational Standards committees. I have three children who all attended JoG, the youngest of whom has just left. They all thrived on the friendships that they made at the school as well as the support and encouragement that they received from all the staff. It is a privilege to continue to volunteer as a governor at the school I once attended, and which makes such a positive contribution to so many children's lives.

Jo Trigg

Vice Chair of Governors

My career has mainly been based in Sales & Marketing within the education supplies market. As a result I visited hundreds of schools across the UK and always humbled by the inspiring and supportive environments that great schools create. It’s a real privilege therefore, as a governor at John of Gaunt to be part of just such an environment; particularly having previously been a student here. I am currently a member of the Student & Community and Resources & Audit committees. I am a councillor for both Wiltshire Council and Trowbridge Town Council and am the Chair of Trustees for local charity, Trowbridge Future.

David Whewell

Chair of Governors

I am semi-retired, previously occupying the role of Head of Young People’s Services with Wiltshire Council. I was a Governor of the John of Gaunt School in the years that my son attended the school. I am a Trustee and the Treasurer of the Federation for Detached Youth Work, a national charity. I have substantial experience of finance, personnel and strategic management and was previously an Ofsted Inspector of Connexions and Youth Services. I am a strong believer in the need to develop and sustain social capital and ensure that communities are supported and engaged in the delivery of learning.

Governors

Committees