Governance
Governing Body of Conisborough College
(East) (Whitefoot Ward)
The Governors of the school are people drawn from the local community and elected parents and staff.
Our expert and dedicated team of staff and governors all work towards the same goal: to help every student at the school be everything they are able to be.
The Governors and leaders of the school aim to create an environment where our children are happy, excited and eager to attend and learn every day.
Our Governors are individuals who are passionate about the school’s aims, share its ethos and are willing to dedicate the time to be a critical friend who can help us achieve our goals. Modern governance is demanding and requires not only the highest levels of professional and personal integrity but also time to undertake continuous training and contribute to the work of the Board, its Committees and Link Governor roles.
Our Governors are aware of standards in public life and are determined to abide by them. They have the integrity to participate in collective decision-making in the best interests of the school.
Stephen Cleary, Governors’ Services, 3rd Floor, Laurence House, Catford, SE6 4RU.
School Governor Vacancies
Applications now being accepted until: 22nd October 2021
Governors’ Details
Meet our Governors
 Victoria Whittle – Chair of Governors
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I have been a Lewisham Governor since 2002 and Chair of Governors at Conisborough College since September 2015. I have over 30 years’ experience of working in Employment and Training working across various sectors including Public, Communities and in recent years Housing. I currently work as the Head of Jobs and Training for the largest Housing Association in the UK. I have lived in Lewisham practically all my life and so fully appreciate the challenges that our young people may face growing up in the inner cities. I have a passion for Learning and Development and am committed to working with our Senior Leaders and staff to see our students at Conisborough College reach their full academic potential. In my spare time, I like to travel, keep relatively fit and enjoy reading…Victoria Whittle
 Linda Austin OBE – Vice Chair of Governors
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I joined the Governing Body of Conisborough College in April 2015 and became Vice Chair of Governors in the autumn of that year. I have been passionate about the education of children in London, as a Secondary Headteacher for 18 years, a National leader of Education, a London Challenge Consultant, a lead Ofsted Inspector and now in Lewisham as a governor. In 2011 I received an OBE for services to education. I particularly chose to be a governor at Conisborough College as I had heard so many great things about the school and having lived in the area for a number of years, felt extremely committed to the particular diverse community, the school serves. I feel privileged to be able to use my skills to support the school, together with my fellow governors, the Headteacher and the staff of the school, in providing an excellent quality of education, in a happy, caring environment. On a personal note, I enjoy walking, travel, visiting the gym, reading and benefitting from all the cultural opportunities available in our great city…Linda Austin OBE
 Donna Graham – Co-opted Governor
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I joined the Governing Body of Conisborough College in June 20I6 and am delighted to play a part in such a vibrant and exciting community. Whenever I visit Conisborough I am always impressed by the warmth of the welcome from staff and pupils alike. I am the Deputy Head of Colfe’s School, a local independent school which has a long-standing association with Conisborough College. I am passionate about forging and maintaining a strong link between our two schools. Before becoming a Deputy Head, I was pastoral leader in education and prior to that a professional musician and music teacher. I have two grown-up children and live in North-East London…Donna Graham
 Eleanor Hurst – Co-opted Governor
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I currently work in the Insurance Industry. Before this I taught Secondary School Mathematics in Birmingham. I have recently been co-opted as a governor. I am excited about this new opportunity with Conisborough College and I look forward to supporting and influencing children’s outcomes so that they can achieve their full potential…Eleanor Hurst
 Evette Thompson – Co-opted Governor
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I have three children: one in Year 7 at St Thomas the Apostle and two in Years 4 and 5 at Trinity CoE Primary school. I have 12 years’ experience as a voluntary youth leader, setting up initiatives from fun days to working with youth in prison. I have authored and self-published six children books and created and delivered two 10-week programmes, one for single parents and another for youth.I have 15 years product management experience in financial services, a strategic role that gives me the ability to analyse and make sound decisions.Key strengths include customer centric focus, creative problem solving, resourceful, research and analysing data, stakeholder management, and project management…Evette Thompson
 Kate Richardson – Co-opted Governor
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I have been a Governor at Conisborough College for some years. When I joined the Governing Board, it was still Catford School. I have seen it change, grow and develop through the years and it has been a privilege to have been part of the school’s ongoing development. I have always been interested in education I was a primary school teacher for over 30 years starting my career in Tower Hamlets before moving into Lewisham. I strongly believe in the importance of supporting the education of young people in the local area, for by showing your support it encourages the next generation to take a pride in where they live and what they can achieve in school and out of it. I volunteer in the local community and am the chair of a local Resident’s Association which runs various community events throughout the year. My other interests are gardening, listening to music and baking…Kate Richardson
 Kerrite Bedward – Parent Governor
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Profile to follow.
 Lilian Brooks – Parent Governor
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This is my first year as a parent governor at Conisborough College, a role I feel privileged to have. Through this role I hope to be a proactive parent voice working alongside the teaching team for the benefit of the school community. I have previously been a parent governor and appreciate the challenges faced by schools, as well as the excellence that can be achieved through working together with parents and the local community. I am passionate about ensuring that all children reach their potential regardless of ability, race, gender, religion or social / economic circumstance. I have a particular interest in the challenges and systemic underachievement of young Black Caribbean boys and am keen to contribute to how this is addressed as a school and in wider Local Authority policies. Professionally I have a background in social care and work with local charities. I am also the mother of two wonderful children. My son attends the school and my eldest daughter has a complex illness and I am currently a full-time carer. In my spare time I love to read and watch nature programmes…Lilian Brooks
 Richard Cole – Co-opted Governor
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I have been a governor at Conisborough College since June 2016. I sit in the Quality of Education committee and am the link governor for Pupil Premium. I have been in education for the entirety of my working life. I am currently a deputy headteacher at a school in a neighbouring borough. One of my sons attends Conisborough and the other left a few years ago and is off to university in September. As a parent and member of the local community my overriding aim is for Conisborough College to become the school of choice for all families in the area and beyond. I am keen to be an integral part of the school’s journey and ensure I support the headteacher and senior leadership team to reach out shared goals. Away from work and other commitments I enjoy spending time with my family, cooking and walking my slightly crazy Cocker Spaniel…Richard Cole
 Sean Daly – Co-opted Governor
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I have served as a governor at Cardwell School in Woolwich for four / five years where I was the Chair of the Community Committee. Whilst I was a governor, I played a major role in negotiating with the LA and local community funders secure funding for significant expansion and improvement of the school buildings and grounds. I resigned recently as I had new work commitments in a different borough. I would like to use my experience to support the staff and pupils of Conisborough College. I am a CEO at a professional football club charity, and I believe I have the requisite interpersonal, analytical and decision-making skills to support the school in the future…Sean Daly
 Simon Hooks – Co-opted Governor
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I have been a member of the Governing Body since June 2016 and I am currently Chair of the Finance & Audit Committee.  I first joined the Governing Body when I was a Councillor for the London Borough of Lewisham and the headteacher at the time invited me to apply. I have always believed in the power of education to transform lives and I was keen to support a thriving local secondary school with its aim of providing an excellent education to young people in my home borough.  In my day job, I am a lawyer, specialising in finance and investments, at a large life insurance company. I am also a trustee of a local charity in nearby Lee Green, which works to support local people and build a stronger community in the area…Simon Hooks
Code of Conduct
All members of the Governing Body have signed the Conisborough College Governing Body Code of Conduct.
Further information
If you would like to find out more about the role of the Governing body or enquire about becoming a Governor in the future then please contact the PA/Office Manager on 020 8461 9600