The John Of Gaunt School

Student and Community
Helen Kerr – School Adviser	Jo Trigg (Chair) Debbie Youngs (Vice Chair) Pete Gear Catherine Szabo

Resources & Audit
Paul Skipp – Headteacher Ellie Green – School Adviser Matt Doughty – School Adviser Nigel Reeves – School Adviser	Liz Summerson David Whewell Pete Gear Andy Williams (Chair) Jo Trigg Glyn Coy (Vice Chair) Sarah Bergg

Curriculum, Learning & Educational Standards
Ben Rhodes – School Adviser	Liz Summerson Kevin Eames (Chair) Sarah Bergg Andrew Hawkins (Vice Chair) Helen Thorne David Whewell

Sarah Bergg

Co Chair of Governors

I started as a governor at the John of Gaunt School when my son was in year 7. He is now at university in Southampton! I work for Microsoft as a people manager; and although I am based in Reading, I spend most of my time working from home, which gives me the opportunity to drop into school on a semi-regular basis. I am proud to be a governor of this school, for many reasons, which is why I have stayed despite both of my children having now left. I am the link governor to the school’s Business and Computing dept, as well as being the governors’ Health and Safety link.

Glyn Coy

Co Vice Chair of Governors

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

Governors

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 chair of the governors’ Curriculum, Learning and Educational Standards sub-committee and 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 9 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 at JOG and is now studying engineering at college, my daughter is about to start year 11 for her CGSE’s next summer. 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. As a newly appointed governor I am looking forward to 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 8 & 9. 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.

Siobhan Perry

Governor

I have worked in various schools over the past 12 years, primarily special educational needs schools. The roles I have had are directly working with children, promoting emotional wellbeing and therefore improving their educational experiences and development. I feel passionately about making school a happy and enjoyable time for young people. I currently work at The Grove Primary School as the Family Link Worker. I have one son who attends John of Gaunt, and I have always been keen to be involved in supporting the school.

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!

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.

Liz Summerson

Governor

Now mostly retired, I worked in education for 23 years, of which 20 were as a manager/senior manager in the Wiltshire Careers Service. Besides general management responsibilities, I ran information & publishing services, trained careers teachers and inspected careers work in schools. I am a published author of non-fiction & fiction and an enthusiastic life-long learner with degrees in history and French plus a Master’s in creative writing. I teach French to adults and chair Trowbridge’s French Twinning Association. I have been a governor at JOG since 1996 and my 3 sons attended the school between 1990 and 2007. I am link governor for Modern Foreign Languages and Careers information and Guidance

Catherine Szabo

Governor

I hale from Lancashire but have lived here in Trowbridge for over 25 years. I have been a member of this community all of that time and understand the particular strengths and challenges the pupils in our county town face. I have worked in the education sector for over 30 years, with 18 years of that serving as a senior leader in Wiltshire. My experience to date will, I am sure, support the work of the Governors and SLT at John of Gaunt. At the John of Gaunt school I am an Academic Mentor for the sixth form students which is an amazing role and one which I absolutely love doing. I recently qualified as a Pilates instructor and am very much looking forward to setting up my own classes in Trowbridge. Outside of education I am a keen gardener and have an allotment which takes up lots of time, especially in the summer! As an ex PE teacher I have an interest in all sports and keeping fit and love to teach youngsters the value of getting and remaining fit. However as I get older myself, I realise that being fit and healthy is an absolute must for all ages.

Helen Thorne

Governor for SEN

I am a tutor at Poplar College in Chippenham – the Post 16 provision attached to St Nicholas Special School. My role in the 6th Form means that I get to teach young adults life skills ready for when they leave college and move into adulthood – a job I love. I was previously a governor at Bellefield Primary School where I was the chair of the Finance and Premises committee. I enjoy running regularly with Avon Valley Runners and spend much of my time ferrying my children to scouts, music lessons and training sessions. I have a daughter in Year 12 at John of Gaunt, a son at Lackham in year 13, and my eldest is going to Swansea University to study sports Science. I am the link governor for SEN.

Jo Trigg

Governor

My career has mainly been based in Sales & Marketing within the education supplies market. As a result I have visited hundreds of schools across the UK and am 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 link governor for the Sixth Form and a member of the Student & Community (Chair) and Resources & Audit committees. I am a Wiltshire Councillor and 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.

Andy Williams

Governor

I have been a governor since 2015 and wanted to join the governing body to discover how an educational institution such as John of Gaunt operates at all levels and to become a part of the ‘team’. The last 5 years have been very fulfilling, sometimes challenging but also very rewarding. I am part of a dedicated and experienced group of governors from all backgrounds but with a shared purpose. The staff are dedicated and passionate about their school and that creates a great family ethos, resulting in a school that is inclusive, diverse, that encourages endeavour, resilience and rewards great effort and attitude to learning. I want to continue to be involved for as long as I am able to commit the time as I believe that the school is going to continue to build on its success over the coming years and provide an excellent environment to learn, achieve and succeed. I feel proud to be a part of team JoG!

Debbie Youngs

Link Governor for Safeguarding

I have been a governor at John of Gaunt since 2014, where I sit on the Student and Community committee. I am the link governor for safeguarding. My children both attended John of Gaunt, although both have now left. I work for a nearby council as a housing adviser. Prior to that I was a parent support adviser in a number of primary schools, and a welfare rights officer. I attend a local church where I enjoy leading the hospitality team.

Anita Harrington

Clerk to Governors

Governors

Committees