Following a lifetime of visiting Looe, from my first childhood memories on holiday with my parents through regular visits with my wife Charlie, we finally moved to Looe in 2020 after getting married here in 2018. We now live here with our daughter, Anna-Tallulah who will I hope attend Looe Academy when she’s old enough.

My dad was passionate about education, continuing to challenge himself with new learning and development throughout his adult life and I was lucky enough to be the first person in our family to go to university, down to his support and encouragement in no small part.

Following that I’ve always taken an active interest in learning and more recently how the outdoors provides an environment for leadership and communication, something that’s key in my work as a management consultant within the technology field following a career working in fields as diverse as nuclear power, mobile communications, and medical technology.

I’m delighted to have the opportunity to work with the team at Looe Academy and use my passion for supporting organisational excellence here in Looe. 

Born and brought up at the other end of the county in Redruth, I have lived in the area since 2019 when we moved into Seaton, before moving in to Looe in July 2023 when I took up my post as curate with the local churches here in the town and the surrounding villages of Morval, Duloe and Herodsfoot.

Before being ordained into my full-time role in Church ministry, I worked as a carpenter running a business for many years, whilst working as a lay minister and training for my current role part-time.

Community is important to me, and realising that every community has different needs, even when two places appear similar. The early part of my time as a governor will be spent listening to those with more experience and learning about the needs within the school community. I think one of the strengths I bring to the role is a willingness to listen and adapt to situations, rather than trying to fit a one size fits all policy into an unsuitable situation.

I believe the community requires joined-up thinking. Our academy doesn’t exist in a vacuum, nor do any of the other organisations or business locally. We are all part of a larger community setting. The students live in that setting. I believe the students should have an opportunity within that setting to help shape their town, and will do my best to help make links between the school and other organisations, where suitable, and I believe the local area is stronger when everyone works together for the good of each other.

I am particularly interested in bringing together people from all walks of life to share their lives, strengths and weaknesses together to build a better place to live. I have helped set up a community breakfast café at St Martins hall on Saturday mornings to offer free breakfast and company to anyone who wants it.

I believe in preparing students to be fully rounded people. To be able to interact with compassion, empathy and understanding with all members of our society through developing and building a community, and empowering them to show leadership where individual strengths can do so.

I started teaching in 1998 and have always taught in inner city secondary schools. During the past 20 years, I have worked in a variety of roles including second in department and curriculum leader for science, executive lead of science and then later mathematics as well as assistant principal. My proudest achievement is to be appointed Headteacher of Looe Community Academy where I have been working since April 2018 formerly as the Deputy Headteacher.

My leadership experience has spanned 18 years and four schools with a wide variety of responsibilities. Although I originally learnt my trade as a science teacher, my degree was both in Microbiology and Statistics, and so more recently I have specialised in teaching mathematics as well given the shortages in this area which I have taught to A-level. I have worked with primary schools in delivering sessions bespoke to their student needs across KS1 and 2. I have also undertaken school to school support at secondary level in my role as a specialist leader of education which is a nationally recognised role.

5.11.2019 - 4.11.2023

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Even before my own children started school, I had been closely associated with the care of children and young people through taking a Sunday school group at a local Church in Liskeard and helping to care for my nephews and nieces.

From the early 1990s, as a parent, I voluntarily supported reading and other activities at Liskeard Junior School (Varley Lane); helping in the library and serving on the committee of the PTA.

I have a particular interest in Special Educational Needs as both of my children have required individual support during their formal education. My daughter Jenny is mildly dyslexic and my son, Daniel, on the autistic spectrum with a moderate learning disability.

Daniel was granted a full Statement for SEN at the age of 5 and, for a number of years, I helped with a support group of families in the area with children with ASD. I have recognised the value and expertise of support staff working with my son enabling him to access his education and relationships with other children and adults.

I became secretary of the MOSS Action Group to lobby for the new Junior School to be built on the Old Road site in Liskeard. The Junior School was relocated as Hillfort Primary School.

As my children grew into secondary education, and being concerned on changes to the provision for students with SEND, I became a parent (latterly as a co-opted) governor at my daughter’s school, Liskeard School and Community College.

I served from 2001 – 2008 on Finance, Premises and Curriculum committees, linked to the Science Department.

I was nominated as a representative on the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Autism at Westminster and regularly attended meetings at the House of Commons. On occasions, I had the privilege to ask questions of MPs for the support of families of children and young people on the spectrum.

I began working as a Teaching Assistant at Looe (Community School) in 2001, and appointed science technician in 2007.

I passionately believe that everyone working in schools have an important role to support young people. It is a privilege to support and help young people on their journey to adulthood and to opportunities beyond their formal education.

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I’m a sustainability consultant with a background in architecture and engineering, a keen sea swimmer and mum to two children at Looe Community Academy.

We’re relatively new to the town and absolutely love it here. I was previously a governor at my children’s primary school for four years, and really enjoyed the role and the opportunity it brings to give strategic support and challenge in different areas. I’m looking forward to contributing to the community in this way.

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