TORQUAY ACADEMY - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• Vice Chair of Trustees

I grew up in the local area attending Torquay Boys' Grammar School in the late 90's before reading Law at Kingston University and completing my Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice at Plymouth University. I returned to Devon in January 2010 upon qualification as a solicitor. I am a partner at Wollens Solicitors. I am a Full member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners. I am involved in the training and mentoring of young lawyers and am very keen to encourage others into the profession. I work with local education providers to provide guidance and advice to those interested in a career in law. I am passionate ensuring that young people, whatever their backgrounds are provided with the tools to achieve their goals. I became a community governor at Torquay Boys' Grammar School in 2017, am a past chair of both the Personnel and Finance committees and in 2020 was appointed Vice-Chair of governors. I became a trustee of the Multi-Academy Trust in 2018 and in 2020 was appointed Vice-Chair. I am a trustee for the Torbay Medical Research Fund, which funds research into local medical projects, and I am also the present Honorary Secretary of the Torquay Old Grammarians Society.

Job Titles:

• Chairman of Trustees

I moved to Torquay from London in 1988 and joined the Torquay Boys' Grammar School Parents Association. I became Chair of the Association leaving in in 1991.

Job Titles:

• Chief Financial Officer / Company Secretary MAT

I moved to Torquay to join TBGS as the Chief Financial Officer for the MAT, based at Torquay Academy. I have worked in schools for over 20 years starting in a primary school and have since overseen my previous secondary school become an academy and am now enjoying the multi-faceted role of working at Torquay Academy with financial oversight of the multi academy trust. During my time in schools I have been seconded to the Local Authority in Reading to help implement a new computer system across the authority schools and in 2013 was part of an EFA working party updating the Academies Financial Handbook. Prior to moving to Torquay I lived in Reading for 24 years. After over five years in Torquay I am still enjoying my dream to live by the sea. I have two grown up children who visit regularly as they always feel on holiday here. In my spare time I love walking both on Dartmoor and the coastal paths and have recently taken up golf.

Job Titles:

• Clerk to Trustees

Having been born and educated in the North of England, I spent most of my working life in the banking industry before taking a career break to move to Torbay in 2011. I have experience of governance having served for 5 years as a Chair of Governors at a Church of England Primary School in Torbay. I became Clerk to Governors at Torquay Academy in November 2014, and in June 2018, I also took on the role as Clerk to Trustees for Torquay Boys' Grammar School Multi Academy Trust. I am married with two children and live in Churston Ferrers. In my spare time, I like to play golf and I am a member of Churston Golf Club.

Job Titles:

• Trustee

I have worked in both Public and Private Sector Finance for nearly 20 years and am currently the Head of Finance at Mount Stuart Hospital. A Chartered Management Accountant by trade, I've built up a number of years' experience providing high level of business support; first to the local NHS Trust and now here at Mount Stuart.

Job Titles:

• Trustee

Born and educated locally at Cockington Primary and Audley Park School followed by a Foundation course at SDTC Art school and some years later distance learning at Hereford College for various Hotel and Catering courses. Currently Vice Chair of Torquay Academy Governing Body and Chair of the HR and Safeguarding committee taking a special interest in Safeguarding and looked after children. From 1999 I was employed as a Project Officer by Devon County Council representing the client, working in the Built Environment team. My work was directly associated with the delivery of major capital school projects including new primary, special schools and the new Cranbrook community school provision in East Devon. I worked with school stakeholders, local authorities, technical design and construction team members. Prior to this I was employed within the catering service for schools, covering the whole of Devon. I am also a governor on the Torbay's Virtual School Governing Body that scrutinises in detail the education provision and outcomes for children who are looked after. Passionate about the importance of the highest quality of education in the growth and development of all our young people and preparing them for the challenges the future will bring.

Job Titles:

• Principal

Job Titles:

• Chairman of Governors
• Trustee

Born and raised in Torquay, I was previously a Director of the Specialist Leisure Group and former Managing Director of Shearings Hotels Ltd.

Job Titles:

• Trustee / Headteacher TBGS

Job Titles:

• Principal TA

I grew up in Torquay and was educated at Torquay Boys' Grammar School before heading off to university in New York and then Nottingham. I started my teaching career in London before coming back to Torquay to lead the Business, Economics and Enterprise Department at Torquay Boys' Grammar School. After six years at TBGS, where I also became Head of Davys House, I was appointed as Deputy Headteacher at Devonport High School for Boys. In January 2014 I joined Torquay Academy as Principal.