Governors

Jon Quinn - Vice Chair of Governors

I am the owner and Managing Director of Geckota Limited.  Geckota is a local company specialising in the design and online retail of watches and replacement watch straps. I have a degree in electronics and prior to setting up Geckota I was employed as a Development Engineer at L-3 TRL Technology.

Geckota has grown to a staff of around 20 people and in the last few years we have taken on a number of apprentices and former pupils of Tewkesbury School. I believe that young people should be given every possible opportunity to achieve their full potential and at Geckota we do this with on the job training as well as providing opportunities for additional study.

I am keen to contribute to the development of Tewkesbury School and look forward to serving as a Governor.

I currently serve on the following committee: Vice Chair of Full Governing Board.  Whistleblowing Link Governor.

Term of office ends: 25 July 2026

In my early career I spent over 15 years working at board level of UK service sector companies. I have a degree in Business Studies and an MBA as well as being a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development). I have many years of experience as a Human Resource Director and in 2010 set up my own freelance consultancy business advising Board level directors in strategic HR matters as well as business effectiveness issues. My work has covered sectors across service, distribution, charities, education, pharmaceuticals, health care and oil exploration.

I am also a co-founder and joint Managing Director of WatchMeGrow an early year’s education consultancy and software business.

In 2003 I was awarded an MBE for services to training through many years of chairing the National Training Awards (NTA’s).  I also more recently chaired The Princess Royal Training Awards. I am an Honorary Fellow of City and Guilds and served on the City and Guilds Trustee Board for 12 years. 

I have lived in Tewkesbury for 32 years. My husband David, set up his business in the town 20 years ago and employs over 25 people some of whom joined from Tewkesbury School. I am particularly interested in supporting students to become job ready and to forging links between the school and local employers as well as supporting the teaching body in business related subjects.

In my spare time I enjoy being outdoors whether walking the hills, out kayaking or tending our garden.

I currently serve on the Full Governing Board.

Term of office ends: 31 August 2024

Sarah Cole

I am a Chartered Accountant, qualified in 1995, and spent the initial part of my career post qualification working for Grant Thornton in Cheltenham specialising in statutory audit services.  However, since 2004 I have worked for Trelleborg, a multi-national Swedish owned manufacturing group, as their UK Financial and Tax Controller, based at their Sealing Solutions manufacturing site in Tewkesbury. My role mainly encompasses statutory financial statements, statutory audit oversight and corporation tax compliance for all UK companies in the Group as well as other legal and compliance matters.

I have adopted Tewkesbury as my home town, having grown up in South East Kent, and am passionate about the future of young people in the town.  When the opportunity to join the Governing body arose I was keen to get involved.  I have three boys, two of which have attended Tewkesbury School, although the youngest is elsewhere. I therefore have experience as a parent of different schools and hope to be able to draw on that in my role as a governor.  

In my spare time I am also Treasurer of Tewkesbury Tigers, the junior section of Tewkesbury RFC, enjoy watching rugby and going to the gym.

I currently serve on the following committees:  Vice Chair of Finance and Premises, Full Governing Board.

Term of office ends: 2 September 2025

Richard Machray 

I’m a parent of two children at Tewkesbury school, both of whom are throughly enjoying their educational experience.  I volunteered to become a parent governor to support this important stage in their life.  I’ve been greatly impressed in how the school delivers my children’s education and all of the extra-curricular opportunities that are offered. 

In my working life I am a Chartered Mechanical engineer working within the nuclear power generation industry where I am responsible for the delivery of a significant part of a new build power station in north wales.  I fully understand the need to develop a low carbon culture now to ensure our children don’t suffer in the future and I’m keen to ensure that the children understand where nuclear energy sits within this mix.

In my limited spare time I’m a serving Army Reserve officer where I put my engineering skills to use within the Army’s Infrastructure design organisation, this has given me a great deal of experience in understanding how government departments work and also a great deal of understanding of facilities management.  I am hoping that my experience in this will support the schools ongoing growth and development.

I currently serve on the following committees: Finance and Premises and Full Governing Board.

Term of Office ends: 19 October 2026

Catherine Folkes - Parent Governor

I am from a teaching background, with experience in both inner city and more suburban/rural schools, but also have spent time working as a 1:1 SEN teaching assistant. I am currently working in a local school, as a creative technician, across the Art and Photography departments.

My eldest son is currently in Year 8 and I have been really impressed, especially throughout lockdown, by the commitment and enthusiasm of the teachers at Tewkesbury School. This has inspired me to want to play my part in the future developments of the school, seeking a high-quality educational experience for all.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family: we are part of Holy Trinity Church in Tewkesbury; enjoy exploring the countryside around us; travelling (when we’re allowed!) and I am always interested in new creative projects.

I am really looking forward to becoming part of the Governing body and learning more about the organisation and culture of Tewkesbury School.

I currently serve on the Full Governing Board.

Term of Office ends: 20 October 2024.

Kate Thompson - Parent Governor

I started as a Parent Governor in 2020, just as my son joined the school in Year 7 in the most unusual of circumstances due to COVID-19. It may seem early to volunteer to join the Governing body when he has only been here a few weeks but I feel that it gives me the perfect opportunity to see things through his eyes as a newcomer and add this perspective to the board.

We have lived in Tewkesbury for 14 years and I work across Gloucestershire as a Consultant Clinical Psychologist, leading services for people with learning disabilities and autism, as well as providing support to staff in a variety of settings.  My studies and work in Psychology have provided wide ranging knowledge and experience of supporting people of all ages in a variety of settings, generally with the aim of helping them be the best version of themselves that they can be. This is often made easier by ensuring that they, and those around them, are receiving the right support. With this in mind I am keen to join the Personnel and Student / Staff Welfare committee and also the Curriculum and Standards committee.

I currently serve on the Full Governing Board and Safeguarding Link Governor.

Term of Office ends: 20 October 2024.