Governors’ Profiles

THE GOVERNING BODY OF THAMESMEAD SCHOOL

Governors’ Profiles

 

Bill Kerr

Chair of Governing Body

After qualifying as a Chartered Accountant in 1985 I lived and worked in Europe for 15 years, mainly in Italy before returning to the UK. My family moved to Shepperton in 2004. After 19 years with The Vitec Group, a PLC based in Richmond, where I was Group Treasurer for the last 10 years, I retired on 31st March 2020.

I joined the Governing Board in September 2017 as a parent Governor. My daughter has now completed Year 11 and is going to College. My younger son is still attending Thamesmead. My aim is to assist and support the Head Teacher and his staff with the strategy behind their daily efforts to look after, keep safe and educate all of Thamesmead 1,000+ students.

 

Jason Tendler

Vice Chair of Governors

I became a Governor at Thamesmead School in September 2017 when my daughter was in Year 8. She left the school with strong GCSE results and following completion of her A-Levels, is continuing her education journey at university.  I have lived in or around Shepperton for the past 25 years, so know the local area well. My professional background is in Financial Services where I have worked for over 30 years. I have undertaken customer facing roles, data analytics, product management and change management.  My role is centred on customers and delivering the best possible outcomes, working to time and budget.

I commit time to supporting Life Skills, a scheme that helps young people get the skills and experiences they need to enter the world of work. Currently I am a Vice-Chair of the Governing Body and Vice-Chair of the Personal, Development, Behaviour & Welfare committee.

Fred Pogson

Vice Chair of Governors

I moved to Shepperton in 2015 as we felt Thamesmead was the right school for my youngest child, who subsequently completed their GCSEs in 2019 and moved on to Esher College. I recently retired from the British Army, having served in the Educational and Training Services Branch. My professional background includes training design and delivery, coaching, instructor development, policy development and change management. My first degree was in Psychology and I have an MA in Education. Currently I am a Vice-Chair of the Governing Body and Chair of the Curriculum, Learning and Standards committee.

Mike Coombs

Governor

I graduated in Classics from London University then worked for IBM before starting my own IT supply and services company aimed at large corporate customers. I live and work locally, am married and have a daughter who started at Thamesmead in 2008 and who is now at university studying economics, and a son who started at Thamesmead in 2010, served an apprenticeship and is now at university studying mechanical engineering. I serve on the Executive Committee of 1st Shepperton (St Nicholas) Scout Group, and am Chairman of the fundraising team at Spelthorne Gymnastics Club.  I became a Governor of Thamesmead School in February 2009.  I played competitive football, cricket and athletics but now prefer to watch all sports. Other interests include travel, current affairs, music and history.

Mark Lane

Governor

As a full time cricket coach and program lead with Middlesex Cricket, I have a passion for developing young people and assisting them to fulfil their dreams.
With my 28 years of experience in various levels of cricket coaching environments including working with International teams, male and female, to delivering Chance to Shine in state secondary and primary schools, I have a clear understanding of the power of education and sport for young peoples future aspirations.
My daughter is currently in year 10 and having lived in Shepperton for the past decade, I would like to be involved with add something to our community.

Alexis Zenonos

Governor

I recently joined Thamesmead School as a new Governor and have a daughter in year 7. I have lived in the Staines area all my life and have been a police officer since 2009. I have worked in many areas of policing, including front line emergency response, transport, firearms and have recently worked on the largest technological change programme the police service has ever seen.

I look forward to working closely with Thamesmead, senior leadership team and other Governors to ensure it is the best secondary school for education and welfare, and continues to support and prepare our children to become successful adults and leaders for the future.

Nikki Jenkins

Governor

I originally Chaired the Friends of Thamesmead Association for three years and was a member for five.

Historically, I worked at The Riverside Club in Chiswick for almost 10 years in various roles, ultimately supervising their accounts department. I took a career break to have a family and returned to work as part of the office team in an Ofsted Outstanding Primary School. From the school, I went on to be the Office Manager/Deputy General Manager of Hazelwood, home to London Irish. My daughter has now left Thamesmead to attend College.  I am delighted with the education and support she received.

 

Scott Lovelock

Parent Governor

I work in youth engagement Nationally and have a real passion for seeing young people realise their true potential and being the very best version of themselves.

I have a son currently attending the school and I’m really excited to be part of the excellent governing body shaping the positive future of Thamesmead.

Gareth Cooper

Governor

Originally from South Africa, I have been in the UK for 20 years now. My experience is in both Business and Education, and I’ve been teaching Mathematics & Further Mathematics at Latymer Upper, an Independent Co-educational school in West London, for 15 years – I have also been a Head of Year in the Lower School for 14 of those years.

My love for sport has also meant I have many years of playing and coaching experience too, mainly in Cricket and Hockey, and was previously the Head of Cricket at Latymer, for 7 years.  My family recently moved to Shepperton, and I joined as a Governor at Thamesmead over the Summer – I very much look forward to being a part of the continued growth and development of the school in the years ahead.

Philip Reeves

Ex-officio

 

Jay Khimji

Governor

I became a Governor at Thamesmead School in November 2021, shortly after my son started attending the school. I am an actuary by profession and have provided advice to pension schemes for over 20 years. My role requires integrity, strategic thinking and analytical competence and I am keen to utilise the skills I have gained to help the school make progress towards its objectives.

I am, in addition, particularly passionate about diversity and inclusion and I believe the school must play a pivotal role in striving to ensure everyone has a chance to succeed and to help pupils set their dreams without being constrained by their background.

Johnny Kyriacou

Governor

I am currently Director of Education at Warwickshire County Council. I am passionate about education and the part it plays in improving the life chances of young people. Everything I have done and every decision I have made throughout my career, previously as a teacher and now as a senior leader for education in a local authority, has been underpinned by my firm belief that children can succeed, whatever their background.

I have a degree in History with English, a PGCE in History and an MA in Historical research. I was born and raised in London by a single parent immigrant. I am a proud father of two beautiful young children of mixed heritage. I have lived in Spelthorne since 2013.

It is a privilege to be able to work as governor at Thamesmead. I will use my extensive educational background and experience to help shape the strategic vision and goals of the school.

Dhru Patel

Staff Governor

Having been a student at Thamesmead, it was here where my passion to be a teacher came about. I feel very fortunate to now be able to give back to the Thamesmead community in my role as a PE teacher and Head of Year. 

Being part of the Thamesmead family is special and I feel privileged to be able to share my passion to those in my care, each and every day. Every student joins us with different starting points and experiences, it is my belief that this is taken into consideration to give all students, the chance to succeed. A huge part of my belief, is that relationships with staff and students alike, play a key part in this success- I strive to learn all names of students, whether I teach them or not, and have set myself the aim of wishing all of my year group, Happy Birthday, on the day of their birthday, to further strengthen my relationship with those in my year group.

I look forward to taking up my role as Staff Governor, to further develop my understanding of the running of the school and will look to bring my passion for Thamesmead to this role also.

Rachel Wells

Governor

As a family, we have lived in Shepperton since 2015. In total, we have had five children attending Thamesmead.

When our two youngest were diagnosed with Special Educational Needs, I sought a break from my professional career in international marketing communications and took on a TLA role at St Nicholas CofE Junior School, working predominantly to support Year 6 students preparing for their transition to secondary education.

My primary aim as a Governor will be to help ensure that all our children get the opportunity to access an education that enables them to thrive well into their individual futures, and guide strategies that ensure the school is well equipped to meet the needs of our community’s valuable young people.

Kali Sothinathan

Governor
I have lived in Shepperton for five years and have been a secondary school teacher for the past 18 years, with experience both locally and abroad. I hold a degree in Computing and a Master’s in Mathematics Education. Over the years, I have taken on various roles, including Teacher, Head of Department, Head of Year, and Senior Leader.
Driven by a passion for education and leadership, I have recently become a school governor to share my knowledge and experience in shaping the future of education.