About Our Governors

Headteacher

I joined Honywood as headteacher in April 2018 after leading a local cross-phase teaching school and Challenge Partners school improvement hub, working with schools across Essex.  I hold a degree in Music, MA in Electronic Media and an MBA in Educational Leadership.  Prior to teaching I worked as a freelance sound, graphic and web designer.  I then retrained as a computing teacher; a subject I continue to teach as Headteacher.  I have a deep interest in technology and, in 2014, was one of 50 people globally who were selected to work with Google and awarded the status Google Certified innovator.  

I have also served on the ethics committee at UCL between 2017 and 2020 and am a founding fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching and fellow of the RSA.  I am also a Trustee of a local primary school Trust, a member of another local trust and Vice Chair of governors at my son's primary school.  I am also senior partner for Challenge Partners. 

Chair of the Governing Body

• Resources Committee
• Learner Discipline Committee
• Staff Discipline Committee
• Staff Pay Appeal Committee
• Headteacher’s Pay Committee
• Headteacher’s Appraisal Committee

Now in my 18th year as a Governor of Honywood Community Science School I’ve been privileged to play a part in the exciting journey that the school has taken over this time. Initially as a Parent Governor and subsequently as an appointed Governor I have had two terms as Chair of Finance and Personnel and in 2016 became Vice-Chair.

I grew up in Coggeshall and after a decade in London my wife and I returned to the town with our young sons nineteen years ago. Both my sons have passed through Honywood and gone on to University. My wife is a teacher at St. Peter’s C of E Primary School.

I’m an IT professional and currently act as Group Chief Information Officer for a private equity backed collection of fifteen businesses which is varied and challenging. In addition to IT I have an interest in business in general and have a Masters in Business Administration which I gained from the Open University Business School in 2002.

Vice-Chair of the Governing Body

• Curriculum Committee
• Learner Discipline Committee
• Staff Pay Appeal Committee
• Headteacher’s Pay Committee

As an education journalist, I visit many schools all around the country – and Honywood was one of my favourites long before we chose to send our own sons there in 2016. I admire its rich curriculum and its innovative, learner-led approach, which I truly believe not only supports students towards academic achievement, but also develops them as confident, empathetic and self-motivated individuals, capable of managing their own learning, for life. I also love how the school places such great value on happiness – a priority which can all too easily be lost in today’s high-pressured educational environment.

I am delighted to have been able to join the governing body here; exciting times lie ahead for Honywood, and I’m looking forward to working with my fellow governors, and with the staff and leaders at the school, in order to help continue its story of success. 

Co-Opted Governor

• Curriculum Committee
• Learner Discipline Committee

I work in HR and specialise in psychometrics, strategy and culture change. I hope that my experience brings a broad perspective of learning and an understanding of key issues in managing priorities and continuing to achieve success.

I strongly believe that learning in a happy, safe and supportive environment is the best way for our young people to experience a first-class education; one designed to give them the necessary tools for their success.

Co-Opted Governor

Details to follow.

Co-Opted Governor

• Vice-Chair of Resources Committee
• Staff Discipline Appeal Committee
• Headteacher’s Pay Appeal Committee
• Learner Discipline Committee

I'm an HR Director in London with a strong interest in diversity and inclusion. I'm also a mum of two with both my children at primary school. I live in West Bergholt, near Colchester with my family and dog. 

Staff Governor

Staff Governor

Parent Governor

• Chair of Curriculum Committee
• Resources Committee
• Learner Discipline Committee
• Staff Discipline Committee
• Staff Pay Appeal Committee
• Headteacher's Pay Committee

I am a Professor in the Department of War Studies, King’s College London, specialising in Cold War history.  I have a strong interest in education and supporting children to realise their potential.  My son has just started in Year 7 at Honywood; my daughter is in primary school in Braintree, where I’m also a parent governor.  Outside of work and family life I am an Army Reservist, enjoy running and playing football, and following the trials and tribulations of West Ham.

Parent Governor

It is my pleasure to have joined the Honywood Governing body as Parent Governor. I have two children who attend Honywood in Years 7 and 10. Throughout my teaching career, I have developed a real passion for education and special educational needs, and hold a Masters’ degree in Educational Leadership and SEN. I am currently a Deputy Headteacher, SENCO and Designated Safeguarding Lead at a large primary school in Colchester, and have held a Governor position in the primary sector for around 18 years. 

Walking the dog, spending time with my family, swimming and the theatre are all pastimes that I enjoy.

Parent Governor

As a seasoned professional with a long and varied background in information technology, and more recently in the last 13 years specialising in cybersecurity.  I provide strategic leadership for one of the UK's foremost consultancy and digital service providers where I lead the development and implementation of an expansive, multi-million-pound cybersecurity strategy to enable the delivery of cutting-edge, resilient digital solutions to a wide array of clients, ranging from UK Government agencies to notable private sector brands.

I am an advocate for lifelong learning and actively foster a culture of continuous education and skill development within my teams. I firmly believe that learning is an ongoing process that extends far beyond formal schooling. This belief is reflected in my own academic achievements where I have obtained an MSc in Computer Security and an MBA with specialisation in Cybersecurity Management, both as a mature student, alongside numerous professional certifications in both IT and security.

 Outside of my professional life, I enjoy gardening, playing the piano, and spending time with my wife, my daughter, and my son who has recently joined Honywood in year 7. 

 I look forward to being able to support the leadership team in continuing their successful journey at Honywood School.