Governing Body Profiles

James Cook - Chair of Governors

 

I am delighted to be your Chair of Governors - an appointment that I take seriously and enjoy. I have served in the Army since 1995 and currently focus on People Policy in the Army HQ.  I have been an educator in two military schools, firstly at Larkhill teaching junior officers and secondly at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst training our next generation of officers. As part of my PhD programme, I taught an MA module to graduates and completed my PhD thesis in organisational transformation in 2020 with Kings College London. 

Outside of Army life, I am on the Board of the Rugby Football Union, and referee rugby across Hampshire. When not on a rugby pitch, I'm usually on my bike with Andover Wheelers.

In my appointment, I am keen to focus on student safeguarding and teacher welfare. 

I am married to Helen who is also an Army Officer and have two young children who are also educated in Andover. 

 

Emma Brett

I joined the Board in November 2020.  I practised as a Solicitor before leaving the profession to raise four children (three of them with SEN).  I understand many of the challenges faced by SEN students and the vital role targeted support can play in their educational journey.  I spent my early years at schools in Nigeria and the Middle East and later taught in a rural school in Zimbabwe.  I have an MA in English Language and Literature from Oxford University.  I have recently taken on the role of link governor for Careers and PSHE and also sit on the Student Care and Guidance Committee.

 

Anne Costain

 

 

 

Anne is a qualified Chartered Accountant and Corporate Treasurer. She has worked in housing for over 11 years at a senior level. Before working in housing, Anne worked in manufacturing for a number of organisations from SME to Fortune 500 and FTSE 250 – latterly as Finance Director for De la Rue in their Currency and Supply Chain division.

 

Angela Day

 

I have been a Governor at John Hanson since November 2020.

My career to date has been in various Human Resources, Risk and Compliance roles across a variety of sectors including manufacturing, insurance and not for profit organisations.  I have directly supported a number of Executive Boards and have been the HR and Risk Lead on a number of leadership teams.  My career passion is one of creating supportive and inclusive environments that allow people to realise and grow their potential and no where is this more important than at school.   I am a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and a workplace Mental Health First Aider.

 

Elizabeth Kelly

 

I have worked in education locally in Hampshire (at Balksbury, Wallop and Farleigh primary schools) for over 15 years, latterly training at the Helen Arkell Dyslexic Centre to achieve diplomas in OCR Levels 3 and 5 as a SpLD teacher. I now work with pupils ranging from Years 2 to 8 with SEN issues and have recently completed my SEND Governor training and DTG training. I have an MA in English Literature and Language from Oxford and originally worked in finance for six years and subsequently at the Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly, running the Corporate Membership Scheme. I have had experience of committee work at the Andover Foodbank where I volunteered over a 10 year period. I am a mother of four adult boys, have 28 nephews and nieces and enjoy walking, cycling, reading and painting in my spare time.

 

Rob Price  

I joined as Governor at John Hanson in early 2022.  Passionate about education in and around Andover, I have worked for Sparsholt College Group for over 14 years and am currently the Director of Learning and Quality across both Sparsholt and Andover campuses.  I am the Quality of Education lead for the College Group, overseeing the quality of teaching, learning and assessment.  I continue to teach on English programmes at the College.

 

David Weston

I have contributed to the community in many ways since retiring from paid work.  I have been a magistrate, a trustee for a local charity and a committed volunteer for Citizens Advice.  I have been a governor at John Hanson since 2005 and has undertaken many roles within the governing body including Chair of Resources and a lead on literacy.

 

 Edward Scotney

 

 

I am a new parent governor excited to join the team.  Father of 3, my eldest daughter has just joined John Hanson. I was inspired by a fabulous board of governors at my own secondary school (many years ago)  to one day be a governor myself and try to help support the learning of students.  Professionally I was a career chef and restaurant Manager and for the last 10 years have been a hospitality Operations Manager, most recently looking after a group of pubs for Fuller, Smith & Turner.  I have a BA in drama studies from Winchester university and drama remains a passion.  I look forward to learning about the role and getting involved with the school.

 

Michael Hanbury-Williams

 

 I joined the board in late 2023 as a new Governor and look forward to working with the other board members committed to enhancing the prospects of students attending John Hanson.

Having retired from a lifetime working in the financial services industry, I retrained to become a secondary school Maths teacher. This allowed me to follow my desire to inspire future generations in a safe environment where they are not afraid to try. My decision to become a Governor is led by my commitment to creating the best conditions where all students can succeed and be respected for their own individual progress and achievements.

My time in the classroom has enhanced my belief in the important role that a school plays in the lives of students and the wider community.

I have a degree in Engineering from Exeter University and 30 plus years experience in the Financial and Investment world during which time I was able to work with and on governing boards. 

 

Hannah Kumah

 

 

I joined the Board in 2022 as a new Governor and I am very excited to be part of the Team. I am a parent of 2 children and currently practicing as a qualified social worker in adult social care. Committed school governors exist to support the improvement of educational standards and support teachers to better the attainment of children and young people so they can have the chance to realise their full potential. I have no doubt in my mind in coming to this role that the key to improving school performance is effective governance. After graduating from university, I went straight into social work profession where I have been practicing for over 11 years. I have had experience of committee work in my Church where I have supported to develop and plan project and programmes for children. I hope to use my professional knowledge and experience in safeguard vulnerable adult and children to help the school leaders to safeguard  pupils. I look forward to working with the school leaders, the teachers and my fellow governors to provide the strategic support and guidance that enables the school to maintain high standards and provide excellent education to our children and young people

 

Lalita Sahu

I am a new parent governor excited to join the team.  My son has just joined John Hanson. I like to work in the education sector that inspired me to be a Governor myself and try to help support the learning of students.  Professionally I was working as a planning consultant in India for tribal people in planning & management unit. I have finished my PhD in commerce from India. I have different industry sector experiences like jewellery, hospitality, hospital, education, Tribal people. I look forward to learning about the role and getting involved with the school.

 

Colin Woodley

I am a new Governor having joined the board in December 2023. I have wide ranging experience having served in the Army for more than 40 years in many roles including managing a large organisation responsible for vocational and non-vocational training and managing infrastructure, facilities and resources including contract management. I currently work in media and communications working alongside press and digital colleagues to promote positivity to our selected audiences.