Governor profiles
Robert Frost - Chair of Governors, Trust Governor
Re-elected Governor 5/2022 - Serves until 5/2026
I live in Brightwell after moving from London, in 2006, to settle with my wife Andrea and to bring up our two children Elliot and Meredith. I became a parent governor in September 2013, as I wanted to give something back. I am passionate about the village and in particular the school, as I feel it forms a key part of life in Brightwell.
I am originally from Anglesey, North Wales. I studied town and country planning at Oxford Polytechnic, now Oxford Brookes University and then went to London to seek my fame and fortune!
I had a variety of jobs in London then fell into the role of law enforcement and I currently manage an emergency response team in West London which involves shift work. I am also a public order trained officer, which means I get deployed to demonstrations, football matches or any other situation that has the potential for problems.
At university I learnt how to scuba dive and continued my links with the diving club by teaching new students. With young children diving has been put on the back burner for a while, but we intend to teach Elliot and Meredith how to dive when they are older. I enjoy DIY, swimming, cycling and just generally spending time with my kids, playing and going on adventures. I am also a keen baker and I like teaching the children how to cook and prepare food.
Matt Lowe - Vice Chair of Governors
Re-elected Governor 5/2022 - Serves until 05/2026
I was elected a parent governor in 2018 and sit on the Performance Committee. I am a Consultant Liaison Psychiatrist and currently work in Berkshire having completed my training a few years ago in and around Oxford. I got very interested in education during my medical training. I was appointed an Oxford Medical Education Fellow which gave me the opportunity to pursue a Masters in Clinical Education at the Institute of Education in London. But my professional and academic work is with adults, children are much more complex.
I come from a long line of teachers and I am very enthusiastic about being able to do something positive for the community of Brightwell and the school that, in my experience, has been the centre of that.
About 5 years ago I realised I wasn't able to maintain a healthy physique with the laziness that I had become accustomed to and started to do bits of running, cycling and open water swimming which has led me to become a bit of a fan of triathlons. Which is good as my other main interest is food, the growing, preparation and particularly consumption.
Hannah Ball - Parent Governor
Appointed Governor 07/2022 - Serves until 07/2026
Appointed as parent governor in July 2022, I am due to serve my first term. Coming from a family of teachers and having experienced my husband act as a governor at the school in recent years, I was keen to be part of the school community and use my knowledge and skills to give something back.
I grew up in Oxford and moved to Liverpool to fulfil my childhood dream to become a nurse. After completing my nursing degree I worked in the area for a few years before moving back to Oxford bringing my husband to be with me.
We have three children. Tom is now at Wallingford school, but Joseph and Clara remain pupils. I have worked in cancer nursing for most of my career and now provide strategic leadership for a number of specialist cancer nursing teams in the Oxford hospitals.
Outside of work I am a keen gardener, a slow but happy runner, a proficient baker and a dedicated mother.
Elizabeth Drury - Foundation Governor
Appointed Governor 01/2022 - Serves until 01/2026
I was appointed a Foundation Governor in 2021. My husband, Michael, and I moved to Brightwell over 30 years ago and we brought up our daughters, Isobel and Harriet, here with both of them attending the school. I qualified as a solicitor in 1984 and retired in 2018 having had a career in private practice and latterly drafting laws for the UK Government In my spare time I enjoy spending time with our grandchildren and travelling.
Sophie Smith - Community Governor
Appointed Governor 07/2022 - Serves until 07/2026
I was appointed as a community governor in July 2022. I have lived in the village since 2004 with my husband, Andrew, and two children. I am an accountant by profession, and run my firm from the village. I applied to become a governor following a request for people with financial backgrounds to join the team, and because I was keen to learn more about our village school and to try to support it in an era when funding is a constant challenge.
Recently we have had the pleasure of having a Ukrainian family living with us, and I have witnessed at first hand how wonderfully welcoming Brightwell school has been to the Ukrainian children.
I come from “Oop North”; I went to school in Newcastle upon Tyne and to university in Edinburgh, moving to Oxford to do an MBA in the early 2000s. Much of my time outside work involves my children’s sports and activities; lots of hockey pitches, badminton courts, lakes and reservoirs. I love horses and riding with friends, and I am enjoying trying my hand at dog agility.
Clare Wauchope - Foundation Governor
Appointed Governor 01/2022 - Serves until 01/2026
I was brought up in Sutton Courtenay where my mother still lives; and having bought a house in Brightwell about 10 years ago – I haven't moved far!
I am a solicitor based in the City of London, running our inhouse team of lawyers and compliance specialists, with a focus on the regulation of lawyers. I am on the Law Society Council.
I have 2 sons who are now both post school. My husband Andrew is a trustee and investment specialist. I am a regular at St James church at the Sotwell end of the village .
Yaz Light - Staff Governor
Appointed Governor 11/2022 - Serves until 11/2026
This is my second year as a teacher at Brightwell, although I have been around for longer, having been a teaching assistant before I did a little bit of travelling and University. I studied Primary Education at the University of Winchester for 3 years and came back to Brightwell to complete my last two placements and I have never left! I love Brightwell School and think it is a fantastic place to work and be.
Outside of school, I like to teach Zumba and spend time with my friends and family. I also love going to the theatre at any opportunity and will frequently be found relating my teaching to something musical!
Marisa Tontini - Parent Governor
Appointed Governor 04/2023 - Serves until 04/2027
I was appointed as a parent governor in April 2023. I have lived in Wallingford since 2014 and have one child at Brightwell School and another due to join soon. I am an experienced secondary school languages teacher, currently teaching at Langtree school. After a career in media and running my own business, I decided to turn to teaching. I am passionate about education both as a teacher and as a parent, and especially in supporting the mental health of students in school and wider life I will bring my commitment to this within my role of Parent Governor.
Sue Potts - Headteacher
Appointed and served as Governor from 01/09/2022
I have now been working in education for over 20 years - I love what I do and am passionate about ensuring that all of the children in my care develop a real love for learning, a strong set of core values and an understanding of who they are and where their place is in the world. For me, there is nothing more important than making sure every child comes to school each day feeling safe and happy and is given the opportunities and experiences they need to reach their full potential socially, emotionally and academically.
Away from work, I really enjoy spending time out and about in the fresh air, especially walking the smallest and furriest member of my household; pottering around in the garden and getting my hands dirty or simply enjoying some peace and quiet with the latest read from the book club I belong to.
Should you wish to contact the governors at Brightwell, please email brightwellgovernors@mtoat.co.uk
Should you wish to contact the Merchant Taylors' Trustees, please email governance@mtoat.co.uk