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My younger son is in Year 11 at The Ilfracombe Academy.

Having gained some skills and experience running small businesses as a tradesman and property manager, but most of all as a parent of two boys, I have joined the Governing Body as a Parent Governor.

I use this experience to help support the inclusive, positive and effective approach the team at Ilfracombe uses. It was suggested to me that the role is that of a “critical friend” and having been helped myself by others in this way, especially when there have been difficulties to overcome, I have some understanding of this. My aim is to find good ways of doing things that are as positive and enjoyable as possible.

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I have been a resident of Ilfracombe for nearly 14 years, with my husband, running a small farm and accommodation business. We have been self-employed for most our adult life, use many varied skills in our daily lives. Our 3 children are currently at The Ilfracombe Academy, with one in year 9 and two in the 6th Form.

In my spare time I like to do various crafts, including knitting with our own wood and sewing. I am a prolific reader, and a big fan of the Harry Potter books and all of the works of Jane Austen. I have 3 beehives and love all things bee, including using our honey and wax.

I believe that every child matters and that all children deserve the best, regardless of where they live and I hope I represent them all. I am passionate about young people and I believe that every child has a right to fulfil their potential in a caring environment with professional staff, and love being part of the team at The Ilfracombe Academy.

As a governor I fulfil an important role, along with my colleagues, of holding the Academy to account, and helping to make us one of the best schools in Devon. I am also Vice Chair on the South West Schools Federation governing body.

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I retired from 37 years of teaching in 2015, the last 17 years of which I spent at The Ilfracombe Academy. I held the position of Head of Department for PCRE for several years, being one member of a very strong department. In 2014/15 we achieved the RE gold quality mark, which recognised the importance of RE in the Academy and the wider educational community.

On a more personal note I have 2 grown-up sons, 3 grandchildren and 2 step-grandchildren. I am passionate about an excellent education being accessible to all, and teachers being fully supported. With this in mind I feel privileged to be part of the continued development of The Ilfracombe Academy.

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I live in Lynton and my husband and I have two daughters, who are at The Ilfracombe Academy.

I am a graduate from Central Saint Martins College of Art with an MA in Communication Design and Oxford Brooks University with a Postgraduate Certificate in Education.

My teaching career began at South East Essex College, later moving to North Oxfordshire College and School of Art, before I returned to the area in 1997 as a lecturer in Graphic Design at the University of Plymouth.

I am currently a lecturer on the BA Hons Graphic Design with Typography programme, Associate Head of School – Education and Student Experience for the School of Art, Design & Architecture and Partnership Manager for City College Plymouth, and Petroc. I also lead the Message visual communication design research group and I am a co-founder and co-managing editor of the Message Graphic Communication Design Research Journal, published by the University of Plymouth Press. My research/design practice has been exhibited in the USA, Denmark and Korea and I have more recently presented a research paper at the 8th International Conference of Typography and Visual Communication in Greece entitled, Visual Communication in a time of crisis: Insights into the relationship between visual communication and health.

I joined the Ilfracombe Academy as Foundation Governor in 2020. Having a background in education I wanted to contribute to the development of education provision for all children within the Academy. Being a Foundation governor is extremely rewarding as I endeavour to utilise my knowledge and skills whilst developing the Ethos and values; Hope, Kindness, Courage,

Integrity, Trust, Respect, Responsibility and Resilience and am passionate about actively supporting the school to achieve the very best education for all children

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I was born in Trinidad, WI, and came to the UK to do my nurse training in the late 60s. Following my successful training I worked back in Trinidad, the USA and Oman before returning back to the UK and the NHS.

My last job was as a Diabetes Specialist Nurse (DSN) for over 20 years both within the NHS and with commercial companies in diabetes management. I retired as a DSN and moved to Ilfracombe from Bournemouth 9 years ago.

I have a son and daughter and 4 grandchildren. 2 grandsons are both at university doing medicine and 2 granddaughters in primary school.

My move to Ilfracombe encouraged a need to form new friendships and I was introduced to Ilfracombe Rotary Club. Rotary is a global network of 1.2 million neighbours, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.

As an active Rotarian, I chaired both the Membership and Youth Committees which introduced me to working with Ilfracombe Academy. I was successful in enabling the Academy to be our first Corporate Member and have worked with different staff in encouraging students to take part in Rotary Youth Competitions with a fair level of success both locally and at national level. Our Club is very active within the local community and support many varied initiatives and causes. It was an honour to be 2019-20 President of Ilfracombe Rotary Club.

I have always been involved with my local community and see and appreciate the need to foster relationships with the younger members of our community. The Academy’s values of Hope, Kindness, Courage, Integrity, Trust, Respect and Responsibility are good foundations on which the next generation will thrive.

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An honours degree in Geography and a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) at Leicester University followed my secondary education at the Perse School, Cambridge. Subsequent academic qualifications included the Certificate of Further Professional Studies (Management) from Cambridge University.

My teaching career spanned 20 years, all in 11-18 schools, starting with 6 years in a Berkshire Grammar School, then posts of the first Head of Geography and then the first Head of Sixth Form in a new and growing Comprehensive School in the Midlands serving mainly pupils re-housed from inner city Birmingham. This experience led to a Deputy Headship on the Suffolk coast and then 11 years as Headteacher of the Grove School, a Nottinghamshire comprehensive school of 1200 pupils.

In these senior management posts, my experience was very wide and varied and, in Nottinghamshire, as well as the school, included the management of extensive community facilities with a Sports Centre, swimming pool and playing fields in an innovative joint County Council and District Council initiative.

My subsequent career as a Schools Inspector coincided with a move to Lee. Firstly as a team member and then leading inspections as a Registered Inspector, my inspection work brought me into a huge range of schools all over England, widening my educational and management experiences extensively.

Throughout my life, I have always been much involved in the life of the communities I’ve lived in. In Lee, as Chairman of the village hall, I led the projects for the major refurbishment of the hall. I have been Churchwarden of the village church for many years. As well as being a Governor of Ilfracombe College for 16 years until it became an Academy, I have been a leading member of Ilfracombe Rotary Club since I came to the area. I was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) in the 2016 Queen’s Birthday Honours List for services to the community in Lee and Ilfracombe. After a gap without a direct link with the Academy, I was very pleased to accept an invitation to become a Governor of the Local Governing Body.

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Having lived in Ilfracombe all my life I have passed through all the schools and sixth form on to become a Chartered Accountant working in the town. I have two children my daughter attends the academy and my son will in the future. I have been involved in many sports which started at this school and have gone on to represent the town at Football, Rugby, Cricket and Golf where I have made many friends.

I am passionate about providing opportunities for Children and this has led me to set up the Ilfracombe Sharks youth Rugby a few years ago which is proving to be a success. This passion has also led me to become a director of One Ilfracombe and was involved with its set up and I’m really proud of the work it’s doing which includes the “Out the blue” scheme and “You’re Hired”. I am also a town councillor and becoming a Governor here at the academy allows me to communicate full circle to try and ensure the children of our community are heard at all levels.

Being an accountant I am on the finance portfolio. I am also the treasurer of various groups around town and volunteer to help with the Cubs.

I had a great time at this school and now would like to do my bit to ensure those currently attending do so too.

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