Chair – Jamie Bean
Jamie is the Head of Wallington County Grammar School, an outstanding mainstream secondary school. As Chair of Governors at Carew, he also chairs the LGB’s Pay Committee.
Vice Chair – Kirsty Cottrell
Kirsty began her career teaching functional skills, employability and life skills at Carshalton College. She joined Orchard Hill College in 2011 as a lecturer and is now the Assistant Head and Designated Safeguarding Lead, as well as the College’s regional hub lead for Sutton. She enjoys being part of a dedicated team and seeing students achieving their dreams.
Governor – Emmet Murphy 
Emmet started his career working within the ASD Provision at an outstanding MLD Primary school in Croydon and worked there for eight years before moving to Carew in 2008. In 2012 he took responsibility for the ASD Provision, and for Middle School (Years 8 and 9), at Carew Academy. He is now Deputy Head and Designated Safeguarding Lead at Dysart School in Surbiton.
Emmet holds a MA in SEN as well as a PG Cert in ASD and is committed to raising standards of pupil achievement.
As the portfolio holder for HR and Organisational Development, Emmet also sits on the LGB’s Pay Committee.
Staff Governor – Stephen Brooks
Stephen Brooks is a teaching assistant for the Upper School and is undertaking further study towards teacher training. With a background in Science and Mathematics, he has used his experience to support the school as it continues to improve its offer to the pupils.
Stephen has had experience leading young people through the scouting movement, the British Exploring Society and continues with Urban Saints through annual summer camps in Dorset. In September 2014, Stephen took responsibility for coordinating the Duke of Edinburgh Award at Carew Academy and is working with pupils to achieve this aspirational Award.
In October 2014, he set up a weekly After School Archery club for pupils and continues to coordinate the sport. Stephen is committed to providing enriching experiences at Carew which nurture the talents of its pupils.
Parent Governor – Sandra Butcher
Sandra has eight children, the youngest of whom is a pupil at Carew Academy. Sandra has been around the education system for 23 years and has always been heavily involved with the schools her children attended – chairing the Parent Teacher Association and focusing on fundraising and event management. The driving force behind Sandra’s decision to become a school governor was to be an advocate for parents and add an important parent voice to the governing body. Sandra also loves to travel, which is where her career started many years ago, in both retail and business travel. This experience helps her with her governing portfolio for Business Development and Marketing.
Parent Governor – Joy O’Connor
Having been employed for well over 20 years as a personal assistant for various directors of investment banks, Joy decided to take early retirement from what was an enjoyable but also challenging profession. Early retirement has allowed much more time to nurture and provide guidance and support to her three children in education and in their professional life.
Joy is also a foster carer, providing a safe home environment and support services to young people and mothers and their babies. As a foster carer, the courses she attends enable her to keep abreast with the ever changing world of child care and the challenges young people face in today’s climate.
Governor – Kevin Leggatt
Kevin is an ACCA qualified accountant with thirteen years’ experience of working in Financial Services. He has an aptitude for data analysis, problem solving and financial controls and is looking forward to using these skills as Carew’s new Finance Governor.
He has previously worked with young learners as part of the Croydon Education Business Partnership and is excited to be a part of the Carew team at a time of change and development.
As the portfolio holder for Finance and Resources, Kevin also sits on the LGB’s Pay Committee.
Governor – Ruth Duggan
Ruth began her career teaching science in Gosport before moving to pastoral and curriculum management roles in London mainstream schools. After 9 years in mainstream settings, she decided to pursue a career in special education, first working in a residential PRU before securing a role at Eagle House School, eventually becoming Deputy Head and Head of 6th form.
She enjoys the daily challenge of working with pupils with such varying needs and finds it rewarding to watch pupils achieve not just academically but making progress towards independence skills.
