Governor Profiles

Stephanie Pritchett / Foundation Governor / Chair of Governors / Resources Committee

I’m a Foundation Governor, working between the Academy and Holy Trinity Church of England church.

Three of my children have enjoyed their time at the Academy – two have moved on to big school and the youngest has a few years yet to go.

I am Chair of the Full Governing Board of the Academy, and also sit on the Resources committee, which deals with financial, HR and premises related issues. As a solicitor and partner of a local commercial law firm, I try and bring some of my professional experience to bear.

Before joining the Board, I was also a volunteer trustee director of Brentry and Henbury Children’s Centre (now rebranded everyFAMILY) for c.13 years. It is a registered charity providing nursery and preschool care as well as community groups and family support services to our local community. The services included support for debt counselling, grandparent carers, teenage parents, alcohol and substance misuse, parenting, domestic violence and supporting children and families affected by parental criminal offences. It also has a deep level of specialist experience supporting pre-school children with special educational needs and disabilities. I bring that previous early year’s trustee/ director experience to my volunteer roles at the Academy.

My late parents were both in the teaching profession and passed on their passion for quality education for children from all backgrounds. I’m delighted to help the Academy to provide that to children in our own local community.

Most of our spare time is taken up with my husband and me ferrying our 3 children around to Scouts, Guides, musical theatre, drama, swimming clubs and galas, netball matches, rugby, football and music lessons. We try to get a little of our own sport fixes and interaction with young people with me teaching sailing and my husband coaching rugby for our children’s clubs.

Term of office: 26/09/2022 - 25/09/2026

Business/Pecuniary Interests: Solicitor & Partner & Company Director, Pritchetts Law LLP

Mrs Jane Johnson /Parent Governor / Co-Chair Ethos & Standards Committee /Vice Chair

My youngest child is in Year 4 at the academy and my older child is in Year 8, having previously been at Westbury for 7 years. I am a qualified primary teacher with 13 years’ experience and I have recently completed my training for qualification as a specialist reading teacher.

I have been an active Parent Governor for six years. I bring a balanced perspective through my roles as a parent, a qualified teacher and a regular classroom visitor.

Business/Pecuniary Interests: Tutor

Term of office: 06/05/2017 - 30/04/2024

Father Andre Hart / Foundation Governor

I moved to Westbury on Trym in 2002 and have been a governor of the school from that time onwards, so I have seen the school grow and develop over that time. Both of our children came through the school and are now at university. I have served as a Foundation Governor through all this time with various portfolios as the Chair of Governors, Vice Chair and also Chair of the Ethos Committee and currently serve on the Standards and Ethos Committee. Being the vicar of the parish church I also have a pastoral responsibility in the school and have been keen to see the school deepen its Christian distinctiveness in every aspect of school life.

The past 20 years has seen much change in the world of education but at the heart of my commitment to the school has been to provide an excellent education for all our children in the broadest sense possible, where they can make the most of every opportunity to grow and flourish academically, emotionally and spiritually. This has been my passion over these years. It has been a privilege to serve the school and community and will continue to do so.

Business/Pecuniary Interests:  Nil

Term of office: Ongoing, Ex-Officio

Mrs Verity Thomas / Member Appointed Governor /Co-Chair Ethos & Standards 

I have strong historic links with Westbury on Trym School as both of my maternal grandparents taught at the ‘Boys School’ during the First World War. In addition, I worked alongside my sister for 14 years of my 21 year teaching career at Westbury-On-Trym CofE Academy. 
Over the years, I worked for 4 different Headteachers and saw many changes in both personnel and the ‘fabric’ of the school. I worked with some incredible children, parents and colleagues and was the Teacher representative on the PTA for over 15 years. During my time on the Senior Leadership Team, I was involved in teacher recruitment, planning and reviewing the SDP and in working alongside governors and parents on the Promotions and Marketing group. 
As a resident of Westbury and a long-standing supporter of the school, I feel it is important to strengthen our Community links and reinforce one of the school’s Core Values in ‘Cherishing our Community’. With my past and current knowledge of the school, and the children, staff and parents within it, becoming a governor is one of the new challenges I have decided to undertake in my retirement. 

Business/Pecuniary Interests:  Nil

Term of office: 25/02/2019 - 24/02/2023

Emily Farndon / Staff Governor

I have been a teacher at Westbury on Trym CE Academy since September 2012. I love being a part of the school community as we are a close, caring and supportive ‘family’. 

I have been teaching for over 20 years and I have taught across, and enjoyed, both Key Stages throughout my career. I am passionate about knowing and understanding the ‘whole’ child and it is always a great pleasure to get to know so many wonderful and varied personalities each year. 

I am PSHE Lead and I enjoy working closely with my colleagues, and the children, to help ensure that we all feel valued, heard and cared for within our setting. 

I look forward to supporting the school even further within my role as Staff Governor.

Term of office: 02/12/2020 - 01/12/2024

Business/Pecuniary Interests: Staff member

Pamela Tchakounte / Vice Chair of Resources / Parent Governor

I have 2 children attending the school. I became a parent governor in May 2021 and am currently serving in the Resources Committee.  

I'm originally from Cameroon and also a Belgian national. My family and I moved to Bristol in 2015 and we've enjoyed living in the city so far.

My professional background is in Finance and Risk Management and I work as an actuary for a Banking Group.

My desire to impact children’s lives started in my youth years when I was serving as a Sunday school teacher in my local church. I am passionate about encouraging children to achieve their dreams, whatever their background or history as long as they believe in themselves and work hard.

I hope through my skills, my background and my personal experience to bring my contribution to help the school in achieving outstanding results.

Term of office: 01/05/2021 - 30/04/2025

Business/Pecuniary Interests: Nil

Martin Lloyd / Member Appointed Governor / Chair of Resources Committee

I’m a Governor and Chair of the Resources Committee. Two of my grandchildren are currently pupils at Westbury on Trym C of E Academy. Through my childcare commitments to my grandsons I have personal insight and experience of what the Academy offers its pupils.

My wife is a retired Reading Recovery teacher. My eldest son is a teacher as well as one of my daughters-in-law. Through them I have a clear understanding of the need to provide every child with positive school experiences in an environment that is nurturing and safe. I also understand how hard teachers have to work to deliver this. In my role I am willing to assist the school in any way I can

I am a Chartered Accountant and Solicitor and recently retired from managing a property investment company. I am keen to ‘give back’ to this school which is integral to the Westbury on Trym community. I feel I can bring my professional experience to my role as governor, particularly to the Resources Committee. I have also, recently, taken on governor responsibility for overseeing Health and Safety.

My wife and I have taken great pleasure in being involved in our grandchildrens’ early years. We appreciate that our grandsons’ school experience is taking place in a faith and caring community-based school which offers such a positive learning environment for them and so many extracurricular activities.

Business/Pecuniary Interests: Nil

Term of office: 19/10/21 – 18/10/25

Dr. Nadia Cerminara / Parent Governor

I am a Parent Governor, with one child in Year 2.

I am originally from Melbourne, Australia and have made Bristol my home. I’m a Lecturer at the University of Bristol with a research interest in movement control in health, ageing and disease. I am delighted to be a Parent Governor and to work alongside the Governing Body in their role in supporting our families. Through my professional work, I bring to the Governing Body experience in learning theories, curriculum development, pastoral care, mentoring, serving on committees, project management, outreach and data analytics.

As someone who would consider themselves a life-long learner, I hope that I can bring the same enthusiasm for curiosity to the children at our school, as well as help to foster a school environment that allows all the children to be content, kind, and resilient.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time outdoors with my family, reading, yoga and cooking.

Term of office: 01/09/2023 - 31/08/2027

Business/Pecuniary Interests: Nil

Susan Lansdell-Woods / Parent Governor

I am a Parent Governor, with two children at the Academy. One of them is in Year 3 and the other in Year 5. I am part of the Main Governing Body.

I have lived in Bristol since 2006, having moved here from Northern Ireland to complete my PGCE at Bristol University. I have worked in education ever since, with 4 years teaching History at Cotham School and 10 years at Redmaids’ High School. In my last 4 years at Redmaids’ I was also the senior school SENCO and during this time completed the NA SENCO qualification at Bath Spa. This inspired me to complete a specialist dyslexia teaching qualification with Dyslexia Action in 2022 which has led to professional membership with the British Dyslexia Association and Patoss. I am also currently studying at Bath Spa to become a qualified assessor for Specific Learning Difficulties. I now work as a self-employed specialist dyslexia tutor for children and young people aged 7-18, as well as an educational practitioner for a local charity called Love Squared, who provide SEN, mental health and educational support to young people in Bristol. I am also an educational consultant for a new ADHD and autism assessment service for children and young people called Bristol Independent Community Paediatrics.

In my spare time I enjoying spending time in nature with my family and our pets. I enjoy yoga, festivals and live music, travel, reading and cinema.  As my employment history would suggest, I am passionate about supporting young people who are neurodiverse in education and improving their access to appropriate support at school and beyond. I also have personal experience of an SpLD which informs my teaching and work with young people. I am excited about the opportunity to work within the governing body to support all the young people and staff at Westbury on Trym Academy.

Term of office: 01/09/2023 - 31/08/2027

Business/Pecuniary Interests: Private Dyslexia Tutor

Other Governors who have served 2022 - 2023

Mr Saral Maganji - Foundation Governor - 28/09/2021 - 25/10/23

Mr Mark Hibbitt - Parent Governor - 01/09/2015 - 31/08/2023

Mrs Kate Ball - Parent Governor - 01/09/2019 - 31/08/2023

Mr Richard Sloper - Staff Governor - 01/11/2018 - 31/10/2022

Mr David McGregor - Foundation Governor - 01/09/2018 - 31/08/2022