Current Governors

Julie Jones: Chair

I feel very privileged to be supporting Garth Hill College and the community it serves. I am so impressed by all that goes into ensuring pupils feel safe and included and by the commitment and expertise of the senior team to help ensure pupils enjoy coming to school.

With 30 years’ experience as a Managing Director in a creative agency, I bring communications and business skills to the Board. During my career I have delivered multiple award-winning campaigns across education, learning and skills, safety, health, environment, and social issues: working for government departments such as the Department for Education (DfE) and Home Office; institutions such as the University of Cambridge International Examinations and some of the world’s largest companies ranging from GlaxoSmithKline to Kellogg’s.

I have especially enjoyed campaigns that make a difference to young people’s lives such as “Get In, Go Far” (apprenticeships), “5 A DAY” and the National Careers Service; those impacting on the school workforce such as teacher recruitment campaigns and those protecting children, such as the DfE’s ‘Tackle’ campaign.

With communications being such an important life skill and highly desired by employers, I wanted to become a governor to help children and young people reach their potential.

I am semi-retired, working on creative projects and my spare time, I play the piano (which I took up again during Covid), walk the dog and make a mean cup-cake!

Mr Keith Grainger: Principal

Keith graduated with an Honours degree in Social Science in 1991, and then completed a PGCE course in History, gaining distinction in practice. He began teaching in 1992. He has a Master’s degree in Education Management and attained the National Professional Qualification for Headship. He has been working at Garth Hill College since 2001 and became Principal in 2007. He has extensive experience of working with other schools (former PIXL Club Associate and Chair of the Bracknell Forest Secondary Headteachers’ Group). He currently sits on the Bracknell Forest Safeguarding Board Partnership and Bracknell Forest Schools’ Forum. He is also on the Pride of Bracknell Forest Awards Steering Committee. He is married with three children. His interests outside of education include music, military history and Chelsea Football Club.

Experience

Additional Skills

31 years in education; 22 years as a senior leader
Principal of large secondary school (OFSTED ‘Good’)
Former primary school governor (2011-2023)
Member of Bracknell Forest Safeguarding Board Partnership and Schools’ Forum
Former PIXL Club Board Member and Associate (2008-2017)
Former Chair of LSCB Committee on Learning and Professional Development (2016-17)
Former Chair of Bracknell Forest Secondary Headteachers’ Group (2014-2017)

Senior management including headship
Skills in all main aspects of education management including finance, curriculum and assessment.
Coaching (NCSL LLE)

Dr Gareth Barnard

I became a Governor at Garth Hill College because I wanted to support our local secondary school as it embarked on a sustained journey of school improvement and to help it meet the aspirations of the young people that attend and the wider community it serves by putting students at the heart of all that the college does. I enjoy meeting the students, sharing their successes, both inside and outside of the College.

I also enjoy watching Garth Hill College grow in confidence, as a truly inclusive school, serving the communities that make up the greater North Bracknell area. I have lived in Whitegrove, Warfield since 1991 and have three children, one attending a local secondary school. I am an Elected Borough, Town and Parish Councillor, with, on the Borough Council, responsibility for School improvement and more widely services for Children and Young People.

I have a background in science, as a chemistry graduate with a PhD from the University of Leeds. I bring an understanding of the School improvement framework, public accountability, knowledge and understanding of science teaching and enthusiasm to serve the wider Garth Hill College community.

Tom Barry

I joined the Board of Governors in 2025. I joined to reconnect with and contribute to my local community after nearly a decade overseas.

I am a career diplomat and economist with the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, having served in the UK’s missions in Paris, Ottawa, Washington and Mexico City. I bring to the College my extensive experience of running complicated public sector organisations including the British Government’s network of posts in Canada as Deputy High Commissioner, and as Deputy Director for Strategic Planning in London.

I am married to Alix. We have a teenage son and an excitable black dog called Flynn.

Nicola Dawson: Vice-Chair

I joined the Governing Board in October 2023 as a Parent Governor. My daughters are in Year 10, so I have a few years’ experience of the college under my belt, and still several more years to go.

Professionally I work in project management which I am anticipating will have a lot of transferable skills to the Governor role, and have a background in business analysis, performance, and continuous improvement. I have a real passion for helping people to be the best they can, and I applied to be a Governor as I really want to do my part to make sure that all students and staff get the best they can out of their time at Garth.

I have volunteered in schools previously and co-chaired our primary school PTA as well as being an active member of the Garth PTFA. In addition, I have previous experience working in the non-profit sector as a trustee for a Fertility charity, and as a project manager for a sports governing body.

I have a strong interest in mental health and have recently qualified as a Mental Health First Aider.

In my spare time, I’m a keen open water swimmer, so when I’m not on Mum’s taxi or football/netball cheerleader duties I can usually be found in the local river.

Nigel Dawson

Having worked for many years in senior leadership roles in large corporations and more recently become the co-founder of a new ‘easy’ brand concept, it has become increasingly important to me to be able to use some of my business, strategic and commercial experience to support my local community.

In the past I have been Chairman/board member of non-profit organisations and a Co-opted Governor at a local primary school and thoroughly enjoyed the contribution I was able to make. Recently my twin daughters started at Garth Hill so it seemed a natural decision to take up a role as a Co-opted Governor and contribute where I can, to the continued growth and success of the college.

I have been immensely impressed with the senior leadership team and board of Governors at the college and their commitment and vision for the future and I very much look forward to working with them and contributing to building a truly fantastic school.

I am married to Nicola and we have lived in Warfield for the past fourteen years. Our twin daughters, Hannah & Mia became pupils at Garth Hill in September 2020. In my spare time I like to run, cycle and enjoy all water sports.

Ms Tsvetana Donaghue

I joined the Garth Hill governing body to directly volunteer my experience across both teaching and private business to support a key pillar of the local community. Having previously taught for three years, I am acutely aware of the complexity faced by young people today: from the psychological impacts of social media to an ever-growing range of post-secondary options, every day is filled with decisions and distractions. Since leaving teaching, I have worked as an operational consultant to support NHS trusts and local councils to integrate closer when providing care for the most vulnerable in society. I therefore bring the experience of managing a wide range of stakeholder teams and organisations, all operating in an environment of squeezed funding and extensive legislation.

To unwind, I enjoy working with yarn and fabric: knitting, crochet, and sewing are all my cup of tea. When I have a longer period of time off, you will probably find me hiking up a mountain with my husband, Ben. I believe that schools have a key role to play in supporting our young people through turbulent times, and need to work effectively with local councils, parents, and the pupils themselves to succeed. It's a privilege to support Garth Hill leadership in fulfilling this role.

John Garred

I was elected to the Board of Governors in September 2015.

I became a Governor at Garth Hill College because I wanted to broaden my understanding of secondary education with a view to using my business experience to provide guidance and advice that could ultimately assist pupils in determining their career paths.

I am a Chartered Accountant with over 30 years’ experience of working in multi-national companies across various industry sectors e.g. airline, retail, service, manufacturing and engineering. In recent years my focus has been on compliance and ethics, particularly relating to global corruption.

I am married with two children currently at Garth Hill College and I previously served on their Primary School PTA for nine years, two as Chairman, and one as Vice-Chairman. I also coached a local junior football team for four years and obtained the Football Association’s level one coaching certificate.

Clare Hawkins

For the past ten years I have worked across two secondary schools in Berkshire. During this time I have been Head of Personal Development, KS3 Lead of Religious Studies, Duke of Edinburgh Award Manager, Head of Religious Studies, Teaching and Learning Coach, and currently Acting Head of Pupil Care. I have also been a Lecturer in Secondary Religious Education at the University of Reading. Previously, I was the Safeguarding and SEN governor at a primary school in Oxfordshire. Throughout these roles I have both pastoral and curriculum experience. I have worked at Garth since 2019.

As a member of staff at Garth Hill, I want the best for staff and students at every level, and being governor will support this. I am looking forward to learning more about what goes on behind the scenes strategically to run the school.

My husband and I live locally, with our little girl who is nearly two. We spend our time trying to keep her entertained, and not climbing on everything in sight!

Daphne Lui

I feel incredibly grateful to have recently landed in the UK, embracing a new chapter filled with opportunities to connect, contribute, and grow. Having spent years working across Asia in marketing, stakeholder engagement, and business management, I’m excited to bring my experience to a new environment and give back to the community.

Throughout my career, I’ve worked with education, assessments, and partnerships, always with a focus on making a meaningful impact. Whether leading teams, developing strategies, or supporting initiatives, my goal has always been to foster collaboration and create positive experiences for people. As I settle into a new chapter in the UK, I’m keen to apply my skills in ways through volunteering.

Fluent in English, Cantonese, and Mandarin, I love working in diverse environments and learning from different perspectives. Outside of work, I enjoy baking, discovering new places, meeting new people, and finding ways to contribute to the community. With an open mind and a passion for connecting with others, I look forward to supporting Garth Hill College and the community it serves.

Andrew Morgan

I am delighted to be joining the governors at Garth Hill College. As a Bracknell resident who has over 30 years of educational experience I would like to be able to contribute to my local community.

I qualified as a Physics Teacher in 1991 and have worked in numerous schools but none actually in Bracknell. I achieved advanced skills teacher status, and have held senior leadership roles such as Director of Museum Learning.

In 2014 I was lucky enough to be the founding Principal of a Studio School in West London focusing on Space and Aerospace Engineering which has shown the importance of strong links with industry and skill development as part of every ones education. Within my role I was a governor of five schools within the area.

I believe I will bring insight and passion for education to help support Garth Hill College.

Fae Naz - Parent Governor

Zoe Parry

Having previously been a governor at my sons’ Primary school, when my son chose to attend Garth Hill College for his secondary education I felt the opportunity to join the Governor team at the College would not only allow me to support the school but also to contribute to the outstanding work that is performed by the team every day.

In my prior roles as part of Governing bodies I have held roles as Chair of Governors, Safeguarding Governor, Maths Link Governor and Behaviour and Attendance Link Governor. I hope to use my prior experience to support the school leadership team and the Governing body to continue to achieve their high standards.

I am a qualified accountant and have worked within industry in finance for 20 years, 10 years ago I moved into technology governance leading teams of Portfolio governance professionals to support the delivery of strategic programs of work to enable the realisation of my organisations strategic objectives. I feel that my daily focus on strategic objectives, goal realisation and governance will support my role as Governor at Garth Hill College, which in turn I believe will support the College's ambition of providing the highest of standards of education to the young people in our community.

In my spare time I enjoy teaching children and adults crafts as a way to support mental health and mindfulness and have the pleasure of regularly working with local Scout groups and charities. I am married to Geoff and have lived in the local area for 20 years, we have one son and several pets including a very temperamental cat and a rabbit (of whom the cat is terrified!). I truly look forward to becoming part of the Garth Hill family and support our children to become the best they can be.

Arham Syed

I am a qualified actuary and have an extensive background in financial risk and investment management mainly working in insurance companies. I specialise in strategic thinking and tackling issues such as profit optimisation, risk controls, statistical analysis and climate change. I aim to leverage my skills and expertise in my role as a governor, in particular finance oversight, implementation of new technologies and risk management.

I am passionate about mentoring and coaching young people as I realise how important a role a great mentor can have on individuals. I strongly believe in future-proofing careers and ensuring students are ready to make an impact with the necessary skills and knowhow when going into the workforce.

I am excited to volunteer to make a meaningful contribution to the school. I am also excited to meet new people from different backgrounds, develop myself and gain exposure of how a successful school runs behind the scenes.

Matt Thompson

I am delighted to join the Governing Body as a Parent Governor and look forward to contributing to the continued success and well-being of our school community.

I bring 16 years of experience in Primary Education to this role. My career progression has given me a deep, hands-on understanding of school management and pupil development. I began my career as a Class Teacher which progressed into Head of School in Maidenhead. Four years ago, I became Headteacher of a Primary School in Ascot.

In my current Headteacher role, I hold crucial responsibilities that have broadened my expertise in key areas, including being the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), ensuring the safety and welfare of all pupils, and serving as the SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator), overseeing provision for children with special educational needs, alongside the extensive demands of school leadership and management.

As a parent and a professional, I am deeply invested in the quality of education and the school environment. My professional experience gives me a unique perspective, I understand the journey our pupils have taken through Primary school and the challenges and opportunities that teachers and leaders face daily.

I believe my knowledge, particularly in school leadership, safeguarding, and educational needs, will be of significant benefit in helping the governing body make well-informed, strategic decisions that support and challenge the school to be the very best it can be.

I have two children currently attending Garth Hill College. They are in Year 7 and Year 9 and both thoroughly enjoy their time here. I have been particularly impressed with how well they have both settled into the secondary school environment, and I greatly value the inclusive culture of the school, which ensures all students feel welcome and supported.

Laura Turner

I started as a governor for Garth Hill College in September '22 as my son joined the year 7 cohort. Garth Hill College has always had a special place in my heart. My brother attended as a student from 2009 - 2016, and I taught as a science teacher from 2012 - 2017. My time at Garth Hill College at the beginning of my career was such a positive experience I have been looking forward to finding my way back into the community, so when this opportunity arose I leapt at the chance!

I spent 10 years teaching science, citizenship, & PSHE across 2 large secondary schools in Bracknell. In 2022 I started my own business delivering Relationships and Sex Education across the country - "Rabbits Relationships and Sex Education Ltd" was born of a real want to support and encourage not only young people's academic learning but the personal development side of school also. Ensuring that all the awkward questions are answered, and correctly!

My background has leant itself to my Governor role already, and next year I am really looking forward to getting my feet under the table with the college personal development team.

Susan Westgate

Having taught English in the Bracknell area for over 30 years, education has been a high priority in my personal & professional life and I am excited to learn more about school from the perspective of a governor. I enjoy working with students, teaching staff and parents. Although I began my career at Easthampstead Park and my own daughters have attended school in Bracknell, a large part of my work has been with pupils not in mainstream. I've also taught in New York City and, for just one very memorable week, in Ethiopia.

It's great to be joining a diverse and dedicated team. I'm looking forward to visiting school and getting to know everyone. I am committed to supporting learning and opportunity for Garth Hill College students, particularly as we face challenges outside the system due to Covid 19. Our young people are living through interesting times and it's an honour to be part of their story in what I hope will be a very positive capacity!

Governor Appointment Dates, Terms, Appointing Body information and Voting Rights 2025-26

	Appointing Body	Length of Term	Appointment Date	Voting Rights at Full Governor Board/ Finance Committee
Dr Gareth Barnard	Local Authority	4 years	10-02-2026	Full N/A
Mr Thomas Barry	Co-Opted	4 years	25-03-2025	Full Full
Mrs Nicola Dawson	Parents	4 years	02-10-2023	Full N/A
Mr Nigel Dawson	Co-Opted	4 years	01-04-2024	Full Full
Ms Tsvetana Donaghue	Co-Opted	4 years	16-12-2024	Full N/A
Mr John Garred	Associate	1 year	01-07-2025	Nil Full
Mr Keith Grainger	Headteacher	n/a	n/a	Full Full
Mrs Clare Hawkins	Staff	4 years	03-12-2024	Full N/A
Mrs Julie Jones	Co-Opted	4 years	07-10-2022	Full Full
Ms Daphne Lui	Co-Opted	4 years	14-05-2025	Full N/A
Mr Andrew Morgan	Co-Opted	4 years	01-07-2025	Full N/A
Mrs Fae Naz	Co-Opted	4 years	20-06-2025	Full Full
Mrs Zoe Parry	Parents	4 years	02-10-2023	Full N/A
Mr Arham Syed	Co-Opted	4 years	10-02-2025	Full Full
Mr Matt Thompson	Parents	4 years	04-12-2025	Full N/A
Ms Laura Turner	Parents	4 years	07-10-2022	Full N/A
Mrs Susan Westgate	Co-Opted	4 years	18-06-2020 19-06-2024	Full N/A
Resignations in the last 12 months
Ms Laura Black	Co-opted	4 years	01/09/2022 31/07/2025
Mr Ryan Frost	Co-opted	4 year	02-10-2023 31/07/2025
Mr Nik Bratton	Parents	4 years	05-06-2021 04-05-2025