Meet the Governors

More information about the key roles of the governors and how to become a governor can be found here:
https://www.minchacademy.net/governors-information/

Kimberly Downton (Chair, Co-opted Governor)

I was delighted to be co-opted onto the Governing Body of the School in 2019. I am a solicitor with broad experience of charity law, governance and business. As its Chief Operating Officer and Head of Legal Services, I dedicated the latest part of my career to working in-house at Ruskin Mill Trust, a national educational charity providing specialist education and social care to children and adults with complex needs. I have served as a charity trustee, company secretary and, most recently, have been appointed to the Board of Trustees of the Reach Academy Trust which aims to provide cradle-to-career support for all pupils at its growing network of schools.

David Powell (Vice-Chair, School Improvement Link Governor, Co-Opted Governor)

Barbara and I moved to Minchinhampton in 2021 to be nearer children & grandchildren and I was pleased to become a co-opted governor at the school.

I have been a Headteacher of three schools, and was Dorset Children’s Services Principal Primary Advisor from 2005-2012. Alongside supporting school and leadership improvement work, I also worked with UNICEF UK Education Team as they developed the Rights Respecting School Award. My consultancy work has taken me to Mumbai, Spain and Srebrenica, where I supported the youth of the town as they explored their rights following the Balkan Wars.

Following my retirement, I maintained my commitment to schools and families through school governance work, chairing Home-Start Trust boards and until recently, being the Independent Chair of Dorset Music Education Hub.

Katherine Meredith (Safeguarding Link Governor, Parent Governor)

I have two children at Minchinhampton school/ nursery and was very happy to become a Parent Governor in 2022. I have been a secondary school teacher for 17 years; for most of that time I have been working at middle leadership level in pastoral, SEND and wellbeing roles. I recognise how critical it is for children to feel safe and happy at school in order that they can achieve their full potential and am passionate about helping to ensure that pupils of all backgrounds are enabled to do so. It is a privilege to be able to support our school in continuing to build on its many strengths in providing a nurturing and inspiring learning environment for our children.

Claire-Louisa Patnicroft (SEND/PPG Link governor, Parent Governor)

I was delighted to join the school governing team as a parent governor in March 2023. I have two daughters; my youngest at Minchinhampton and my eldest at secondary school.

I have previously been a SEND governor at a primary school in South Gloucestershire and really enjoyed the opportunity to make a difference.

I have worked within the Human Resources field for over 20 years. Since 2009 I have been an independent HR Consultant specialising in employee relations and employment law.

Amongst a busy home life I also manage property and you’ll usually spot me at various children activities and lessons or out in nature, walking with our dog.

My aim is to help ensure that all pupils receive a good standard of education, have a creative and fun learning experience and first and foremost, are safe and happy children.

Howard Gilbert (Foundation Ex-Officio Governor)

My family moved to Minchinhampton in 2018. Both my daughters joined our school at the same time as I became the ex-officio clergy governor.

I have been involved in schools work for nearly 20 years, and a governor for a lot of that time. Working with schools and young people is one of the great joys of clergy ministry, and I am delighted to be involved with such a wonderful group of children (and teachers!).

I am passionate about supporting our school ethos, supporting those who plan and deliver RE, and helping our children develop a positive approach to life, as they become increasingly important members of our society.

Ruth Dickson (Personal Development, Wellbeing & Behaviour Link Governor, Parent Governor)

I became a Parent Governor in March 2023, but have a long-standing parental relationship with Minchinhampton Primary as I have four children who either currently attend or have completed their Minchinhampton journey.

I work as Head of HR and Volunteering for Longfield Hospice and am part of the Longfield Senior Leadership Team. Prior to that, I spent 18 years at Royal Mail, undertaking a variety of senior HR, change-management and operational management roles. I therefore have extensive experience managing in the public, private and charity sector in regulated environments.

I am passionate about supporting the school to continue providing a high quality education to our children. We live in Minchinhampton and at weekends you’ll often find me (and my husband Graham) at a football or rugby pitch, either coaching or cheering on our children’s teams!

Gill Price (EYFS Link Governor, Foundation Governor)

I was brought up in Plymouth and after a stint in the Royal Navy came to live in Minchinhampton with my husband in the late ‘80s.
We have three adult children, two of whom live abroad, and two little grandchildren.

I was a parent governor at Minch many years ago. I worked for twenty or so years in a local school as the swimming teacher for the young ones. I also helped out in the classroom. Being around children has been one of the great pleasures of my life.

I am involved with the provision for children at Holy Trinity and for this reason was asked to become a Foundation Governor in 2021. I have become the SEND link governor as I have experience of special needs through my own family.

Judith Munro-Faure (E-Safety Link Governor, Foundation Governor)

It is a delight to be a Foundation Governor at Minchinhampton, having been a parent Governor twenty years ago and my four children having attended the school.

Following my time as a Governor we moved to Italy where I had various roles at the International school my children attended. These included being Chair of the PTA, training as a Teacher Assistant and lastly being the School First Aider. The experience of an international school, where acceptance of difference underpins all life at the school, is of value here in Britain where we are absorbing so many diverse beliefs, ways of life and values.

Minchinhampton School epitomises a school that teaches the values of acceptance, understanding and forgiveness. I am very proud to be a part of it.

Stephen Draper (Health & Safety Link Governor, Co-Opted Governor)

I am the Chair of Governors and have been a Governor since 2015. I have two children of which one still attends Minchinhampton Academy. I have lived in Minchinhampton for most of my life and attended Minchinhampton school many years ago.

I am a Director of a Bristol based commercial architecture practice. I believe all young people should have access to the best possible start in life through good education where each child is encouraged to fulfil their potential. The School well known and it is rightly regarded with warmth in the community. It is wonderful to be part of this vibrant and dynamic school.

Therese Watt (Staff Governor)

Nick Moss (Headteacher, Ex-Officio Governor)

I have been the head teacher of Minchinhampton Primary Academy since 2009. Prior to this I was headteacher in two schools in Bristol and East London.

Over the last 10 years, as well as drawing enormous pleasure from my headship role, I have run action research groups across Gloucestershire and dipped my toe briefly into Ofsted inspecting. Presently I am enjoying running the Youth Parliament for DGAT.