Meet our Governors...

I have been Chair of Governors since 2012 and have had a long association with North Oxfordshire Academy and other schools locally. I am also serving on United Learning’s Education Board.  My background is in education and school improvement having previously been an academy principal, Ofsted inspector and deputy director in local authorities.  I am currently an education adviser to the Department for Education.

I am married (to an ex-deputy head teacher). Our three grown-up children attended local schools; only one became a teacher and is now working in a special school.

Michael.Dennison@northoxfordshire-academy.org

Jon Carlton is a Chartered Engineer who worked in the electricity and gas industry, both in the UK and USA, for 35 years.  He now runs his own consultancy business as well as performing a number of Non-Executive and advisory roles.  At the Academy, Jon is taking a lead on raising the profile of STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) subjects.  He is also lead governor working with the staff to increase levels of achievement across the curriculum.

My name is Deborah Coleman and I am the Assistant SENDCO at Chenderit School, Middleton Cheney. I have a son in Y8 and soon to have a daughter in Y7. I have lived in the area all my life and have seen the school grow and develop.  I am a keen sports person who plays netball and tennis.

I have experience of what a school is like, I understand the issues for staff and management alike. I have experience in SEN and spent several years working in special education.

Although I have never been a governor before I do have knowledge of the role.  I have an understanding of the education system, an in-depth knowledge of SEN and the legislation around this area and a wealth of experience with regards to behaviour especially EBD and ASD as well as a parental perspective.

My vision is for the school to become a leading edge school in the area offering not only a first class education to its pupils but also a school where fellow professionals can gain experience and skills and learn from our practice.

In my role as staff governor I am an enthusiastic educator with a passionate commitment to both the student and school development.  I am currently teaching at NOA for my third year now and hold the role of Head of Engineering and Resistant Materials.  One of my key objectives is to work with local employers to meet employment demands in Oxfordshire so that our students have an education that is not only tailored to their needs but also the need of the community.

Phill Slater is Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply and retired Director of Procurement from consumer product company Procter & Gamble in Switzerland. In this role he managed a team of 500 staff  located in over 20 countries. He also held senior positions with Gillette and Black&Decker working in UK, USA. Phill is married with two daughters who were both educated locally and has lived in the area since 1990. He graduated from University of Sheffield in 1978 and gained his post-graduate professional diploma at the North West Management School in 1979

I am a University Administrator at the University of Oxford working in Admissions, Access and Outreach. I have recently relocated to Banbury from Oxford where I had lived since starting University and I grew up a little further North in Warwickshire.

I am in regular contact with a large variety of schools, candidates and parents, and understand the issues facing students wishing to enter Higher Education in particular. I am the lead governor for the Sixth Form where I work with staff to ensure that students develop skills to succeed in their future careers through both academic and vocational qualifications.

Barbara Saunders is a Chartered Member of the Institute of Safety and Health (IOSH) and, a Licentiate Member of the Institute of Personnel and Development (IPD). She has worked for Oxfordshire County Council as a Health and Safety professional for 10 years. She also worked for the Health Service in a Risk Management capacity, and in the Education Sector working in both Primary and Secondary schools and FE locally. Prior to this she has a 12 year history of working in Banking in London, where she is originally from.

Barbara is looking forward to joining the Board of Governors and supporting the work of the Academy with specific regards to Health and Safety.