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.

  

 

 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.

 

Warren Booth
(Vice Chair)
Parent Governor

My son is in Chestnut class and will be in the school for another 5 years. My wife Catherine was previously a parent governor and I learned from her what the role involves and felt I could make a useful contribution.

Before retiring, I worked on systems for companies including Lloyds Bank, the Canadian software company CGI,. Deutsche Bank, Mercedes / Daimler, Domestic and General and the MCC / Lords.

My work involved getting to grips with a wide range of business areas including Asset Finance and Asset Management, as well as large scale mergers like the one involving Lloyds + TSB + Halifax / Bank of Scotland.

I retired because I could, and also because I could foresee a time where keeping abreast of current developments would take energy I would like to use elsewhere. I worked through the golden age of computing, from Punched Cards and computers the size of buses, through to Cloud computing and Robotic Process Automation, where almost all limitations are removed. The next generation will employ AI to do the jobs I used to do (hopefully with human checks and balances on the outcomes!).

 

 

Nerys Cooper
(Vice Chair)
Parent Governor

I am delighted to have joined Portesbery School as a parent and as a governor.
My background is in education. I have been teaching for over 20 years, including as a Deputy Head of a junior school. During this time, I also served as a staff governor.

I have always worked with children with learning difficulties through fundraising, respite care and teaching.

My aim is to contribute my skills and experience to this wonderful school, support them in any way I can and help to ensure it continues to provide a nurturing environment in which children can develop and flourish.

 

 

 Wendy Craft
Co-opted Governor

Wendy's profile will be added soon  

 

  

 Vicky McCallum
Co-opted Governor

 I am a Deputy Headteacher at a mainstream Surrey junior school. I have experience in implementing Keeping Children Safe In Education as a leader and also have a strong interest in online safety. Throughout my career, I have kept up-to-date with current education news (locally and nationally) and DfE updates.

My role helps the governing body to support school leaders to implement their vision, ethos and strategy; shape and maintain school policies; and provide support to staff with general governance issues which are in the best interest of the school and learners.

 

 Ms Emma Newman
Co-opted Governor

Emma's profile will be added soon.

  

  

 (Vacancy)
Co-opted Governor

Information tbc.

 

 

 (Vacancy)
Co-opted Governor

Information tbc.

 

  

 Kirsty Forbes
Governance Professional

 Kirsty's profile will be added soon.