Sarah Dignasse
Chair of Governors

A graduate Microbiologist, I trained as a Biology teacher and went on to spend more than 20 years in the senior leadership of schools, the majority of these as Headteacher of a large Essex comprehensive school. I have worked as a School Improvement Advisor for schools in Essex and Newham and have been invited to be a Trustee or Interim Executive Board member when schools in difficulties have needed specialist support.

I have worked with the Uttlesford secondary schools for the last nine years, supporting both the development of the curriculum in the schools and the enhancement of the Information, Advice and Guidance opportunities available to young people.

I am a Trustee and Chair of two Essex charities, one that supports families with children with Special Educational Needs or Disabilities and the other supporting people with life-limiting conditions.

My interests are in sport and music and I am a regular visitor to Saffron Hall, enjoying the varied and high-quality programme and appreciating the opportunities available to students at Saffron Walden County High School through this amazing facility.

 

Mr Robert Adam
Parent governor since September 2014

I have a degree in English Literature. I am a solicitor and  a partner in the commercial real estate practice of a large City law firm. All three of my children are currently pupils at SWCHS. I have a particular interest in sport, especially rugby and cricket, and am the captain of a local cricket club.  I sit on the Resources & Staffing committee and am the Link governor for the Agricultural Science Unit.

 

 

MR CEDRIC ALLENOU
GOVERNOR SINCE SEPTEMBER 2023

For the past 25 years I have been working in the construction industry and I am currently a Technical Director with an international civil engineering consultancy.  I have taken part in STEM activities, in particular to present aspects of my work to various schools.

I am Chair of the Management Committee for R A Butler Late Play Club Charity, helping ensure children are provided with excellent care before and after school, developing policies and liaising with staff.   I look forward to working with Saffron Walden County High School to ensure students continue to receive high quality education in a safe and caring learning environment.

 

DR UJJWAL BHARADWAJ 
PARENT GOVERNOR SINCE SEPTEMBER 2023

I lead a team at TWI Ltd (Cambridge) that brings about innovation in engineering. This is by interacting with stakeholders, analysing situations that need resolving or improving, and developing business propositions to gain funding to develop solutions.

I am a Fellow of The Welding Institute (FWeldI), with a masters and a doctoral degree relating to risk management from the LSE and Loughborough University respectively.

I passionately believe in a strong culture of education that works for all, and am delighted to contribute in my capacity as a Governor at SWCHS.

 

Ms Tachya Brobbey
Governor since April 2022

Having worked as a language teacher at SWCHS for more than 20 years, I have developed a good understanding of the school and its evolving culture. Over this time, I have seen first-hand the positive contribution the school makes to the lives of students and the wider community.  I also hold a pastoral role as Diversity lead at the school.  I have approached this role with a mixture of passion and pragmatism, always seeking to avoid polarisation.

Prior to joining SWCHS, I taught for five years in inner-city schools in Oslo, Norway. Alongside my teaching,  I worked for the Norwegian government to provide Diversity training for institutions such as the Oslo Police force.

My current pastoral role gives me a good understanding of the challenges associated with creating a welcoming environment for all students. I am also a Teaching and Learning coach at the school and believe that sharing good practice is key to ensuring the best outcomes for students and staff.

I firmly believe that student and staff well-being is essential to a successful school and look forward to working alongside my fellow governors to help ensure SWCHS continues to thrive.

 

MR KIERON DEVEY
GOVERNOR SINCE SEPTEMBER 2023

My career spans Higher Education (both in the UK and overseas), vocational qualifications, legal services to name a few, and I offer a range of skills in management, project planning and delivery, the development of public services, staff recruitment and development, financial management (project and operational), business planning and risk management.

I understand the vital importance of schools in laying the foundations for a child’s future whether that is for further academic study or employment.  My role as Director of Education for St Edmund’s College University of Cambridge gives me a clear appreciation of the complexities and challenges faced in all aspects of the education, learning welfare and pastoral support for students.  

 

Mrs Natalie Easthope
parent governor since september 2019

Throughout my career, and personal life, people have been my main focus. As a HR Administrator, I worked hard to ensure the wellbeing of staff. I set up, managed and chaired a staff suggestion scheme which covered a myriad of staff ideas.  I was instrumental in the development of a staff choir which has flourished into a strong, well supported, local community choir.

Having thoroughly enjoyed the 'people' side of HR, I re-trained as a Therapeutic Counsellor where I now work in private practice in the local area. I counsel individuals from secondary school age to adults, each of whom face a multitude of sometimes complex issues and challenges.

I am passionate about staff and students' mental health and wellbeing and want to ensure they have a fulfilling and encouraging experience during their tenure at SWCHS, achieving professionally, academically and personally. I am keen to ensure that staff and students alike tackle and manage the challenges of modern life with the support, encouragement and mentoring of the Governing Body. 

I attended SWCHS myself and gained so much from my experiences that I am keen to ensure current students continue to benefit from the opportunities the school offers, both academically and developmentally.  My own children now attend SWCHS.

 

Mr Paul Frainer
Governor since January 2022

I am the Assistant Director for Strategy and Economy for Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council, with overall responsibility for economic development, strategic planning, and planning policy development across the Greater Cambridge geography. I have extensive crosscutting experience in local authority operations most notably in sustainable economic development and investment, strategic planning and policy. I also sit on the group board of the society of local authority Chief Executives (SOLACE) and the Institute of Economic Development (IED).

My personal interests are reading, music and sport and exercise. I have a masters degree in Strategic Planning.  I currently have 2 children at SWCHS.

 

Mr Paul Teulon
Governor since November 2017

I am currently the Head of Global Recognition at the International Baccalaureate. Previously, I was Director of Admissions & Registry Services at King's College London, where I was responsible for undergraduate and postgraduate admissions and a number of other student services. I have also worked at the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge. I have a specialist interest in the use of admissions testing and contextual data in admissions and am a self-confessed stats geek.  I have extensive experience of speaking at a wide range of national and international conferences on issues relating to Higher Education and admissions in the UK. I served as UK Treasurer on the executive of the HELOA (Higher Education Liaison Officers Association) and also served on the International ACAC (Association for College Admission Counselling) board as a Delegate.

I hold degrees in Economics from the University of Cambridge and in Mathematics from the Open University.  I am experienced in governance, having been a governor at several other state schools.  I currently live in Great Chesterford. 

 

Dr matthew toogood
Governor since January 2021

Having trained at SWCHS, I have worked at the school since 2018 in the Maths department, teaching all year groups and abilities.  I regularly support additional clubs and intervention groups.  Having been a Form Tutor in the lower school, I am now a Tutor in Year 12.  I have a passion for developing young people and worked with the PE department to set up a girls' cricket club, which has grown in numbers and competed locally.

Previously, I worked as a scientific researcher, before spending nearly 20 years in business and latterly the NHS, ending in board level roles in both the private and public sector with responsibility for strategy and communications.  

I believe staff governors can provide a unique perspective and insight to the local governing body.  I will approach this opportunity with energy and enthusiasm as a representative member of all staff, both teaching and non-teaching.

 

MR ADAM VAN DEN BUSSCHE
PARENT GOVERNOR SINCE SEPTEMBER 2023

I have degree level education with a BSc in Engineering.  I work as a Hospitality Consultant, involved with planning, feasibility calculations, creation and financial management of hospitality operations, in hotels, developments and standalone entities.  I am keen to not just support the school as a parent but also as an active and invested individual in helping the school be the best it can be.

 

 

Mrs Linda Vincent
Governor since June 2011

Though my degree is in Modern Germanic Languages, my professional life was first in banking, both in Brussels and in London. After a career break I worked as a Pastoral Support in a local secondary school. I have volunteered in the educational sector for nearly 30 years and have been a Governor at SWCHS since 2008. I am currently Chair of the Standards and Education Committee and Link Governor for English and for Disadvantaged Students. I am also a SAT Trustee and volunteer for Saffron Hall.

 

JONATHAN WHITAKER
GOVERNOR SINCE SEPTEMBER 2023

I am the Deputy Editor of the One, Six and Ten o’clock news on BBC1.  I have good knowledge of the issues surrounding education.  I make sure voices on all sides are heard and ensure impartiality rules are adhered to.  I am passionate that education remains central to the national news agenda.  Education is the foundation of any society and I love being able to contribute to that.