Governors

James is a solicitor at Michelmores LLP and specialises in trusts, wills and UK tax advising individuals and families on the protection and devolution of assets. James was appointed as a governor in 2015 and has a particular interest in history and music as a history graduate and amateur musician.

I am a parent governor and was educated at St Peter’s school and Exeter College. After university I worked in London as a financial services lawyer, and returned to Exeter after my two children were born to be closer to family and enjoy the quality of life that Devon has to offer. I now work in the social housing sector and my role includes visiting housing associations across the country to assess the quality of their boards and overall governance arrangements. I have an interest in languages teaching, and I believe in the value that extra-curricular activities bring to a child’s education. In my spare time I enjoy walking, choral singing and travelling.

After moving to Exeter at the start of Secondary School, I attended St James and then Exeter College. I then completed a Degree in Primary Education with a specialism in Art at the University of Plymouth.  I now work as a Primary School Teacher.  I am married and have two children. We live in Beacon Heath and our children are at Willowbrook School. I have a particular interest in English Literature and Art.

I am the Lead Governor for Personnel/HR. This means I can ask questions and provide advice regarding staffing structures, performance, engagement, employment rights and general workforce matters; on both a micro and macro scale.

I work full time as an Human Resources Advisor and have 16 years’ experience in HR, with 11 of these being in the Education sector; both FE and HE.

Having moved out of home at the age of 16 and then studied at college while also working part time and living alone, I am well aware of challenges facing some young people in terms of socio-economic background and sustaining attendance in education.

I am an former Royal Navy Officer, then a Prison Officer who has worked with young offenders at Feltham YOI for 10 years before moving on promotion to the South West as a Senior Prison officer at HMP Exeter, then head of Safer Custody (self-harm reduction & Suicide Prevention) at HMP Channings Wood. After a total 16 years of working with the Prison Service, I moved into a safeguarding role within education before moving to St James to work in the Behaviour Room. Currently, I work with ex-offenders in a mentoring role to get them ready to get into employment. I am a keen runner, and also engage in adventure motorcycling and paddleboarding. I run two volunteer organisations in the region – Andy’s Man Club and the Women’s Wellbeing Club which have both attracted a large following, and have won local community awards.

 I am the staff Governor on the Governing body. I have been at St James for nine years as an English teacher and am second in department. I joined the school as an NQT as prior to teaching I worked in TV and theatre as a Stage Manager. I have been heavily involved in the extra-curricular programme at school such as school productions, Ten Tors and DofE and organising a European Comenius project. I recently qualified as a DofE expedition assessor. I think this is an incredibly important part of school life as I feel education goes far beyond the classroom.

I have lived in Exeter for 25 years, but was educated at a large comprehensive school in Sheffield. In addition to being a mother of two children, I am a professor of History at Exeter University. I have the greatest respect for secondary school teachers who see our children through some of their most challenging years and have an important impact on their life choices. I bring a range of skills including experience of: helping to run a large department of around 80 staff and over 1000 students; appointing, managing and supporting staff; successfully applying for grant income and managing projects; carrying out gender equality audits; collecting and interpreting numerical data; and teaching and inspiring students.