Governors (Local Governing Body)

Ann Webb, Chair, Local Community Governor

Term of Office: 01/07/2016 – 30/06/2028 appointed by ATT Trustees

SEND and Inclusion Link Governor

I have been a Governor at TQEA since 1996, initially as a Parent Governor and currently as a Community Governor, my relationship with the school began when as a parent both my children were students here. I enjoyed the role and felt I wanted to continue to make a positive contribution to the school so I am still involved.  I have lived in the local area since 1985 and feel as a Governor I can contribute to the local community. I want to support the Academy to ensure the young people of our area have an Academy they rightly deserve, and our community can be proud of.

In my professional life I have been a teacher in neighboring schools for many years, specialising in SEND and retired from a Deputy Head role at a local Junior School. Until recently I worked part time as a SEND consultant for the Local authority supporting SENCo’s in Warwickshire. I am now looking forward to devoting more time to my other interests including my governor’s role together with enjoying my grandchildren and travelling.  I am passionate about education and believe I have relevant knowledge and experience to assist me in a governing role. Within the TQEA governing body I am currently the Chair, a role I have held since January 2019 and I have responsibility for SEND and inclusion.

Over many years, I have seen the Academy go from strength to strength, I firmly believe it is now the strongest it has ever been, and I am looking forward to further success, on our journey from ‘Good to Great.’

Craig Bird , Vice Chair, Local Parent Governor

Term of Office: 14/01/2022 – 13/01/2026 appointed by academy parents

Pupil Premium Link Governor

I have worked in and around Young People for the last 20 years or so as a School Chaplain / Hub Leader / Youth Director. Having moved to Atherstone in 2015, my wife (and our 3 children) love this town and its people and want to make a real difference. Together we run a local charity called Restore Collective which enables people to thrive.

I hope that my experiences will contribute to and benefit TQEA students and their families.

Amanda Duffield, Local Community Governor

Term of Office: 07/06/2024 – 06/06/2028 appointed by parents

Link Governor 

I have been a resident in Atherstone for over 22 years.  My work background is within Corporate Financial Institutions, focusing on Operations and Project Management.  I have been a volunteer for both charities and local out of school social activities for children within Atherstone for over 15 years, promoting the positive benefits that this has for children for their personal development.

I am passionate about ensuring that all children have the best experience within education and gain the necessary skills to help them with their future growth.  Each child’s experience of education is different, but all deserve the required support and encouragement to achieve their full potential.

I volunteered to become a Parent Governor at TQEA as I believe the school plays a vital role in our community in supporting the positive academic and personal development of our children and I would like to use my knowledge and skills in helping the TQEA team provide the best environment in which our children can flourish.

David Dawkins, Staff Governor

Term of Office: 17/07/2024 – 16/07/2028 appointed by staff

Staff Link Governor

My original teaching experience was in the 20th century as a Teacher of Law for further and higher education. I left education to pursue other interests, and had my own businesses in a diverse range of areas, including transport, restaurants, web and graphic design and the music industry.  It was through my experiences as an employer and recruiter that I became aware of the difficulties some young people find in school, and decided to retrain as a maths teacher.

I joined TQEA in 2018, and I am proud to represent the staff body as a governor. My current role as Lead Practitioner of Maths has seen me visit and work with many schools in the area, and I have not witnessed a body of staff as committed to the common goal of improving the life opportunities of our pupils. I believe we are a strong team, who put the interests of the students first and foremost.

Jill Thomas , Local Community Governor

Term of Office: 13/12/2021 – 12/12/2025 appointed by the LGB

Pupil Voice Link Governor

Having been a teacher until I recently retired I have always been interested in education and ensuring that young people are given the opportunities to believe, achieve and succeed in whatever they do. I have lived in the local community of Atherstone since 1978 and feel that as a governor I will be able to give something back and make a positive contribution to help.  Throughout this period I have worked in all three local primary schools, starting my career at Atherstone South Middle School and returning later when it was Outwoods Junior School. I have also worked in a SEND advisory capacity at St Benedict’s Catholic Academy and covered on many occasions at Racemeadow Primary School. I also served on the governing body for many years when working in Polesworth, worked at a large primary school in Nuneaton and taught games at Twycross. My whole teaching career has been spent within the local North Warwickshire area.

I have been involved with Atherstone Adders Hockey Club for thirty plus years and am currently Junior Manager and play for the Ladies section. I am keen on keeping active so try to do regular exercise.  My hockey club has hired out the astro facility at the school since it was built ten years ago so I have always felt a small part of the set up at TQEA through that and I look forward to being a part of the journey that sees the school further develop and prosper whilst being a great environment for our young people to be proud to be a part of.

Michael Brandsma , Local Community Governor

Term of Office: 30/06/2020 – 29/06/2028 appointed by the LGB

Careers and Diversity Link Governor

I am the vicar at St Mary’s Atherstone. I am married to Sybil and we have 4 children and 4 grandchildren. We moved to Atherstone in May 2014 when I was offered the post at St Mary’s.  I moved to England in 2008 from Durban in South Africa and we were based in Warwick before moving to Bristol. The community of Atherstone has been very supportive of the work that we at St Mary’s are doing to open up the building as a venue for a variety of community uses.

I currently participate in the assemblies at both Racemeadow and Outwoods Schools and have had various links to with TQEA. I am also the chaplain to Atherstone & District Scouts Association.  I believe that if a community nurtures its children with good foundations they will make the world a better place.

During the time that I have been in Atherstone I have seen the progress of the TQEA transition and the positive impression the pupils are portraying on the town. I look forward to continuing my association with TQEA.

Sara Bishop, Local Community Governor

Term of Office: 15/12/2021 – 14/12/2025 appointed by the LGB

Mental Health and Wellbeing Link Governor

In my early professional career I worked as a Legal Executive for the British Gas Corporation in Leicester. After I got married I completed a Bachelor of Education Degree as a mature student in Essex before moving to Atherstone in 1988.  During the time I was bringing up my family I worked in a number of local primary schools doing supply teaching and taking on short term contracts. When my youngest child went to school I began a permanent teaching role at Atherstone North Middle, which later merged with the neighbouring first school to become Racemeadow Primary.  Whilst there I became the teacher representative on the governing body. During my time at Racemeadow I was recruited by Warwickshire as a Leading Maths Teacher, doing demonstration lessons and supporting the professional development of other teaching colleagues. After moving to teach at Wembrook Primary School in Nuneaton, I was then recruited as a Numeracy Adviser working for Warwickshire LA in its School Advisory Service.

Over the next decade I became a School Improvement Advisor working in primary schools throughout Warwickshire. Then later, having become an independent educational consultant, I worked with the University of Northampton and Oxford University Press. I have most recently worked as a self-employed artist and community art tutor, but am now retired. I continue to pursue my interest in art as a hobby.  Living locally two of my daughters are former pupils of Queen Elizabeth having completed their secondary education at the school. Both of them went on to follow degree courses at university. I have a real interest in both education and the local community. I became a Town Councillor in May 2015. I want to help in giving local children the best possible opportunities in terms of both their educational experience and their future life prospects. Being a Governor, I hope that I can support and contribute towards the continuing success of TQEA, its staff and pupils.

Ted Walker, Local Community Governor

Term of Office: 01/07/2016 – 30/06/2028 appointed by the LGB

Quality of Education Link Governor

I am a school improvement professional, monitoring quality of education and co-ordinating school support where needed in his current role. I have experience of working with both local authority schools and academies with 20+ years’ experience of teaching and leadership within schools across all sectors, undertaking various pastoral and curriculum roles in boarding schools, a City Technology College and in an academy leadership team.

I have led a partnership delivering a large vocational learning programme and co-ordinated schools working together to maximise the impact of arts funding on learning. I am interested in the potential of technology transforming education, e-learning and creative teaching across the curriculum.  I enjoy supporting teachers in improving their practice through effective coaching and embedding a culture of pupil focused, personalised learning.