CVJS Governor Profiles
Kate Brumfield - Co-opted Governor & Chair of the Governing Body
I was appointed as co-opted Governor in September 2018 and am an experienced primary school teacher who currently teaches Year One and Two at Staunton and Corse Academy. I am Chair of the Curriculum & SEN Committee. I am married to Dave and we have two children who are now at Churchdown School Academy after leaving CVJS. In my free time, I enjoy running and have recently completed the London and Chicago marathons. I am determined to provide the children at CVJS, and other members of the school community, with a strong role model to demonstrate that anything can be achieved through hard work.
Richard Berry - Co-opted Governor
I have been a governor since 2019 and I am the Finance Director at The Aurora Group (who run a group of 20+ SEN schools). I have over 20 years of finance / accounting experience and have previously worked as the Head of Finance at Gloucestershire College and an accountant for the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford Upon Avon. I am married to Kate and we have 2 daughters, Charlotte (Churchdown Academy) and Amelia (CVJS), plus a 60+ year old tortoise called Petey.
James Alder - Co-opted Governor
I am a serving Army Officer in the Royal Artillery and currently work in the Ministry of Defence in Whitehall. I have a broad background in HR, technology, leadership and management, and finance which I hope to put to good use as part of the Finance and Premises Committee. I am married to Robyn and we have two boys at CVJS. The Alders were posted to Innsworth in 2017 and we loved the area so much that we decided to settle down and buy a home in Churchdown.
Hollie Jenkins - Co-opted Governor
My name is Hollie, a newly appointed co-opted governor. Education and childcare has been my passion and profession for the past 18 years. I understand how important education is for every child and family, and how that can be viewed differently for everyone. From being a mum of two young children (one is in CVIS) a teaching assistant, nursery manager and now in my current role working in social care - I understand the challenges faced from all backgrounds and look forward to helping the community in this way. I am really looking forward to getting to know CVJS and becoming involved with supporting the families and the schools future.
Sam Taylor - Parent Governor
I became a parent governor in September 2022. I have Amelia in Year 6 at CVJS and Harrison in Year 2 at CVIS. I'm an art teacher at Holmleigh Park and am looking forward to getting to know CVJS from the inside and becoming more involved!
Rachel Cottell - Staff Governor
I am currently in the role as Staff Governor at CVJS - having previously been a Parent Governor (December 2007 to February 2010) when her son was at the school and a Local Authority Governor (March 2010 to August 2011). I have been a member of the teaching staff at CVJS since 2011. As well as teaching in Year 3 in a job share, I am the CVJS music coordinator and I also lead the Garden Club team - managing the allotment and polytunnel on the school site. I am also on the Governing Body of Shurdington CE Primary School as a Foundation Governor.
Melinda Greenwood - Parent Governor
My name is Melinda Greenwood and I became a Parent Governor in September 2022. I have 3 children, 2 of which have been pupils at CVJS, with a son who currently still at the school in Year 3. I have worked in Education since 2007, initially training as an Early Years Teacher before making the move to work with SEN pupils at a local Special School just over 14 years ago. During this time, I have enjoyed a varied role across the school working with pupils between the ages of 4-16. My passion is working with young people and helping them to thrive, grow and achieve more than they first thought possible.
Kate Curtis - Co-Opted Governor
My name is Kate. I am a new co-opted Governor. I work as an Advanced Nurse Practitioner at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and have just completed a Masters Degree in Advanced Practice. I have lived in Churchdown with my husband and children for 9 years. Our children are in Year 3 and Year 4 at CVJS. I am looking forward to getting to know the school better and helping to shape the school's future.
Ewen Saunders - Co-Opted Governor
My name is Ewen Saunders and I became a Parent Governor in October 2023. I have 1 child who is a pupil at CVJS. I have worked in Education since 2012, working in Post-16 education as a tutor, curriculum lead, Programme Manager to now a Director of the same company. I am also the Quality Nominee and Director for Education and have led the company through 3 Ofsted Inspections - including one in September 2023. During this time, I have enjoyed a varied role across the company working with learners between the ages of 14-24. My passion is working with young people and helping them to thrive, grow and achieve more than they first thought possible as well as working with adults who need extra support into employment. This aligns to my current role where I can lead the strategy, vision and ethos of the company to fulfill those ambition for young people and adults alike. I am also a qualified HR professional with over 12 years in the industry.
Cara Wood - Co-Opted Governor
I became a governor in September 2023. I am extremely passionate about CVJS - seeing my son attend and grow through his experience of the school and now seeing my daughter starting her journey here. I now wish to give back and support the school further. My experience as a Registered Manager within Health and Social care for over 20 years has meant I can contribute, review and demonstrate skills as well as supporting the team around the fabulous children whom attend. In my free time my husband and I along with our 2 children do love to travel and our one of our favourite places has to be Disney World.
Gill Horsey - Local Authority Governor
I was appointed LA Governor in December 2024. I am retired - having worked in schools for 28 years, my last post being Director of Finance and Resources at an academy in Birmingham. I became a governor at a junior school in 2015, latterly as Chair of Governors, leaving in April 2024 when the Governing Body was dissolved following the school gaining academy status. I am delighted to join CVJS thus allowing me to continue my contact with the education sector.