Governor Profiles

 Gavin Townsend

Having previously worked for the Civil Service and in Central Banking, I joined Archway School Learning Support Department in September 2004.  

During my time at the school, I have assisted students in Key Stage 3 and 4 in and out of the classroom to overcome learning barriers, aiding them, as far as possible, to be effective independent learners.  

During my time at Archway School I have obtained my Higher Level Teaching Assistant status,  

My particular interest in Special Education Needs is dyscalculia. I’m currently in the process of completing an undergraduate qualification, “Dyscalculia and Maths Learning Difficulties: Support and Intervention”, accredited by the British Dyslexia Association. 

As I enter my second four-year term, as a Staff Governor, I’m looking forward to continuing my involvement with the Curriculum, Welfare and Standards Committee, as well as the Premises Working Group. Here my focus is supporting the evolving progression of this community school, from the physical aspects of the site but also how any learning experience is delivered. 

I believe in education being one of the key drivers to enhance young people’s life chances and that Archway plays a vital part in this process. 

For the last fifteen years, I have been a Director of a Housing Association company. 

Martin Ansell

My daughters both attended Archway. I work as a consultant psychiatrist in Stroud specialising mainly in older people and was clinical director of dementia services for 8 years. Over the past few years I have been involved in an intergenerational dementia project working with local schools and am always impressed and invigorated by the enthusiasm of the students.  I hope that my experience of developing services and my skills in working with people may be beneficial to life at Archway School.

I have no business or pecuniary interests with the school

I have no governance roles in other schools or education institutions. I have no relationship with other governors or with school staff. 

Gill Ferry

My sons attended Archway School and I live locally, so I have, for many years, had an interest in the school. Now retired, my professional life has been within secondary education and, as a co-opted governor, I hope to bring experience, skills and enthusiasm to the governing body.

I believe that school learning experiences offer the opportunity for individuals to thrive and to be the best they can be.  I have recently completed further university study and wholeheartedly endorse the idea that we all continue to learn through life, building on those important school experiences..

I have no pecuniary interests with Archway School. 

Barnes Clutterbuck

I am a Co-opted Governor re-joining the Archway board having previously served a term as a parent governor. Both my children have attended Archway. I have worked in the communications industry for the past 25 years holding Director and C level positions for much of that time, specializing in operational efficiency, emergency management, mergers and acquisitions. 

I am passionate about continuous improvement within the education system, evolution of best practices and reaching beyond school walls for engagement and collaboration with corporate, educational and community groups.

I have no pecuniary interests with the school.  

Daryl Smith

I am a parent governor with a son in year 9. I am a Royal Navy veteran and currently work as a consultant in the defence sector. I have a background in public procurement, project delivery and service delivery, and as a parent governor I hope to use these skills to ensure the school delivers the optimum service and facilities for our children, the wider community, and future students of archway.

I have no business or pecuniary interests with the school.

I have no governance roles in other schools or education institutions. I have no relationship with other governors or with school staff. 

Victoria Donoghue

I am a parent governor with a son studying at Archway.

I have worked in primary education most of my working life and, since March 2020, have moved into tutoring home educated students. 

Through this work I have become interested in the mental wellbeing of students and how we can support the development of children and young people.

I have joined the governor team because I believe every child should be supported in a way that helps them thrive.  

Gavin Wilson

I am an ecologist and have worked in a range of research and advice roles in universities, government agencies and commercial consultancies.  I am currently a director of an ecological consultancy, based in offices near Stroud. My two children attend Archway.

This is my first role as a school parent governor, and I am keen to support Archway in its efforts to provide the best learning and support for its students

Ali Tocher

 I am a co-opted governor and joined the governing body in October 2023. This is my first school governor role. 

 I work as a sound designer for video games and am particularly interested in how trends and changes in technology can create education and career opportunities for young people. 

 I have joined the governing body because I see it as a positive local action to support my community. I believe in the potential for our young people to achieve great things.

 I have no pecuniary interests with Archway School. I have no governance roles with any other school or education institution. I have no relationships with other governors or with school staff. 

Mick Fealty

Mick is Town Councillor and a Local Authority governor who sits on the resources committee.

He has a background in community arts and has worked in school system across Europe as well as the UK and Ireland.  

Lucy Thorne

I am a parent governor with a daughter and a son at Archway.

I have a background in science, having completed a PhD in Biochemistry and now work within the life sciences sector as a marketing consultant.

I'm a firm believer in inclusive education and would like to use my skills to help the school continue to develop and ensure all children are equipped for their future having had access to a diverse and enriching education. I have no pecuniary interests in Archway School.

I have no governance roles with any other school or education institution. I have no relationships with other governors or school staff.  

Chantel Brooks

I have a son in Year 8 at Archway School and an older son with Special Educational Needs who is now navigating Post 16 education. I have experienced what is like to have a child that falls outside the education system.

I am interested in the infrastructure of today's schools and how education can better include individuals who do not feel comfortable in the school environment.

I am a firm believer in state education and would like to help the school support its local communities. I have a background in marketing/events within higher education before staying at home with the children whilst they were small. I then retrained as a Gardener with the RHS in 2017 and set up my own organic gardening business in Stroud. I believe in inclusion of all young people in education and that the education system can help us all to understand our differences and thrive.

I am interested in how our young people can engage with climate change and the natural world around them. 

Katie Myerscough

I am a parent governor. I have a background in youth and community development, which continues to be a core interest of mine. I am passionate about young people having a voice in shaping their experiences within society, and specifically education systems. I am interested in thinking about learning environments that support young people with different learning styles, and given resources constraints, how educators can be supported to do this. I now work within the field of emotional wellbeing, primarily with adolescents. 

Justin Penman

With two of my boys currently studying at Archway, serving as a co-opted governor allows me the chance to support the school and my children to achieve the best of themselves through a relational approach to educational excellence.

Michael Thomson

I am a retired Educational Psychologist specialising in dyslexia and other Specific Learning Difficulties.

I founded, and was Principal, of a school for dyslexic children for over 25 years, and ran an Educational Psychology assessment service. Prior to that I was a University lecturer in Psychology. I have written textbooks on dyslexia and children's books with controlled reading ages.

I live in Tetbury and my daughter in law is a teacher at Archway. This is my only Governor role.