Governor Profiles

  

 Chris Hamilton
Chair of Governors
Local Authority Governor

I have a background in scientific publishing and personal interests in natural history, technology and autism. I took early retirement from running large public services to combine consultancy work with voluntary roles in the arts education, disability support and environmental protection. 

I discovered Portesbery School while working with Riding for the Disabled and through family connections. Ie first joined as a governor in November 2009, later serving as Vice Chair and Chair, helping to see the school through its move to Deepcut and leading the recruitment of its current headteacher. 

I'm a past governor of two other schools and currently a governor of two more special schools (Carwarden in Camberley and High Close in Wokingham) and one primary school (Wildridings in Bracknell). Every school is different and there are always things for a governor to learn and good ideas to share.

 

 Patrick Dawson
Vice-Chair of Governors
Co-opted Governor

I have been a parent governor at Portesbery since 2006 with my son Callum starting at the school in 2004. Callum has a twin sister who attends Hammond School in Lightwater where we live.

Having achieved a Masters degree in Leisure Management, I have predominantly worked in the golf industry. I was the General Manager at Pine Ridge Golf Centre for three years but am now the manager at Burnham Beeches Golf Club.  In addition to being a dad, I like most sports, film and music.

If you have a concern that cannot be resolved by the school, or you are interested in joining the Governing Body, please write to me at the school or email me at chairofgovernors@portesbery.surrey.sch.uk 

 

 Nathan Aspinall
Staff Governor (Headteacher) 

I originally qualified as a mainstream primary teacher, but always had a passion for working with students with special educational needs. I worked at Manor Green School, Maidenhead, for 9 years and moved from class teacher to assistant head, deputy head, and then, ultimately, acting headteacher for a year’s maternity leave cover.

Manor Green School is a generic special school for students aged 2-19, which meets the needs of all students that could not be educated in mainstream school. We supported students with profound and multiple learning difficulties, severe learning difficulties, autism spectrum condition, moderate learning difficulties and physical difficulties. It was the only special school in a small local authority and provided me with a broad range of experience.

I then moved to The Abbey School in Farnham, Surrey, as headteacher. The Abbey School is a secondary school for students with learning and additional needs. I am very pleased to be working at Portesbery School and to return to working with students with more complex needs, a wider age range and seeing students make progress and develop over a significant period.

 

Catherine Booth
Parent Governor

I am joining as a parent governor with my son Nathan attending the school.

I have worked for the past 13 years with the elderly for a housing association. We aim to help residents to remain in their own home, maintaining their independence. This involves safeguarding and liaising with stake holders to oversee medical and financial needs as well as support with repairs.

Prior to this I worked in banking as a branch manager for over 8 years.

I really enjoy fundraising both for the school and Epilepsy Research Uk.

In our spare time as a family we love to travel. We recently purchased a motor home, I look forward to making memories and visiting new places. 

I also enjoy yoga, I attend a group each week.

I look forward to supporting the school in any way I can.

 

 Wendy Craft
Co-opted Governor

Wendy's profile will be added soon  

 

Vacancy
Parent Governor

 

 

 

 Ami Johnson
Co-opted Governor

 Ami's profile will be added soon.

 

 

 Vicky McCallum
Co-opted Governor

 Liz's profile will be added soon.

 

 

Kirsty Mingard
Staff Governor

 Kirsty's profile will be added soon.

 Rev Daniel Natnael
Co-opted Governor

I am the Minister in Charge of St Barbara’s Church Deepcut – a new Church of England church plant in Deepcut. My family and I live on the new Mindenhurst Estate in Deepcut. I was an associate minster at St Paul’s Camberley three years prior to coming to Deepcut, and before that I was a School Chaplain at Twyford CofE Academies Trust in London. 

Most of my working life in the last 29 years has been dedicated to working with children and youth in different settings, including schools. I genuinely believe that there's nothing more important in this world than caring for children and I love to contribute to the caring vision, values and aims of Portesbery School. 

Education wise, I was trained for ordination at Wycliffe Hall, University of Oxford, and I am also a graduate in Music Education.

  

 Nic Pretty
Parent Governor

I am joining as a parent governor as my daughter, Zara, started at Portesbery in September 2020. Zara's twin and elder sister attend Barnsbury Primary School in Woking, where I am also an active member of the PTA. 

I am currently taking a career break from 20 years as a civil servant working in central government. Through this time, I have worked on issues as diverse as internal oil and gas policy, nuclear energy, national energy security and the policing of national infrastructure.  I have worked in seven different government departments, most recently as the Board Secretary and Head of Governance at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.  I want to put the skills I have learnt there to good use and support Portesbery.

 

 

 Sue Thelton
Co-opted Governor

One of my first roles in education was with the Youth Service, running local youth centres and offering young people the opportunity to expand their range of interests.  I went on to teach children with additional needs at Linden Bridge School and it is there that my interest in autism began.

I worked at Freemantles School for 16 years progressing from the role as a primary class teacher to Assistant Head Teacher of the Secondary department.  I helped set up the secondary and Post 16 curriculums and was responsible for overseeing the wide range of residential opportunities offered across the school.   

I had been involved with two previous school moves and was able to use these experiences to support Portesbery School in the move to Deepcut.  As Deputy Headteacher I was heavily involved with safeguarding and feel that I can continue to support the school in that area as well as many aspects of the learning opportunities offered to the young people.

Outside of education I have been a Cub Scout leader and am delighted to see Portesbery young people enjoying the opportunities offered by the organisation.  Since retiring my husband and I have got a dog so a lot of time is spent walking and entertaining him.  I enjoy many aspects of art and crafts, from exhibition or participation days in London to more local courses offered by the adult education service.

 

  

 Liz Bharj
Governance Professional

 Liz's profile will be added soon.