Meet the Governors

Barbara has been in the field of learning disability, mental health and children with special needs for 25 years. She is currently a Director at Healthwatch Sutton and a Board member for three organisations that provide learning disability and mental health services. Barbara has worked as a Local Authority Commissioner of Adult Learning Disability Services, as National Head of Children and Young People’s Programmes at the Mental Health Foundation and at the Kings Fund where she led a five-year programme to develop education, employment, leisure and social opportunities for people with learning disabilities. She is committed to improving the life chances of children and adults with learning disabilities and is keen to work with families and other partners to achieve this.

Liam is a qualified Accountant (member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants).  Prior to taking early retirement last year he worked for Royal Mail Group for over forty years, where he worked in a variety of finance roles.  He has experience from working in Internal Audit and Risk Management, Systems implementation, Training, Project Accounting, Costing and Performance Reporting.

Liam’s portfolio is finance

Kelly has a wealth of experience with SEND, working in education and social care. She became a specialist teacher 13 years ago  and has continued to develop her skills within mainstream and specialist Colleges.

Kelly joined Orchard Hill College as a Lecturer and progressed to Head of Centre then Assistant Principal Regional Lead and is now Principal.

Kelly’s portfolio is safeguarding.

Janet recently retired from her role as Chief Operating Officer at Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust, having worked as a senior manager in the education sector for over 25 years, including as Head of Carshalton College.  She has extensive experience in apprenticeships, vocational education, higher education and SEND and was Designated Safeguarding Lead  at Carshalton College.  Prior to retraining to be a further education lecturer, Janet worked for the Ministry of Defence and Esso Petroleum.  Janet says,  ‘It is an  honour and privilege to have worked with so many young people and adults and see them succeed and flourish in their chosen career pathway’.

Chiara is Deputy Principal at The Skills Hub (Alternative Provision) in Hillingdon. She has over 15 years experience in education and she is currently the lead for teaching and learning in her school. Chiara has extensive knowledge in curriculum development and classroom delivery. She is also a governor at Nightingale Community Academy, an SEMH specialist school in Wandsworth.

Chiara’s portfolio is Teaching and Learning

To follow…..