Governors

Our Governors

Charnwood College is governed by an Academy Scrutiny Committee.

Our governors are:

• Alastair O'Connor
  Executive Principal
  Alastair O'Connor

• Matthew Frost
  Parent Governor (Chair)
  Matthew Frost

  Matthew was appointed a Parent Governor on 9 March 2018. Matthew wanted to join the ASC, because whilst considering which school to send his son to, it was clear Charnwood College was a school with huge ambition and potential for its students. Matthew wanted to support the academy in reaching its potential for the benefit of the local community. Matthew was elected Chair by his fellow governors in May 2019. Under the enthusiastic and dedicated new school leadership team (working with DRET and the committed staff), the College has made significant progress, and Matthew has been privileged to help play a part in this ongoing journey. Matthew is a Chartered Civil Engineer. He is also a Director of Undergraduate Studies and a Senior Lecturer in the School of Architecture Building and Civil Engineering at Loughborough University, where he is also a Warden for a Hall of Residence (responsible for the welfare of over 300 students). Matthew's main research interests are in the field of transport infrastructure. He has also worked in the construction industry on a wide range of civil engineering projects. Matthew's son and daughter both currently attend Charnwood College. He enjoys walking and boating. Matthew is also involved in a number of local community groups and an active member of the professional engineering institutions.

• Irina Gheorghe-Common
  Parent Governor
  Irina Gheorghe-Common

  Irina brings a wealth of experience in higher education, and is a parent of a pupil in year 8. Irina is currently a visiting lecturer at Warwick Manufacturing Group, University of Warwick and the Global Development Institute, University of Manchester.

  Outside of work, Irina enjoys reading, driving, travel and arts and crafts.

• Steven Corbett
  DRET Appointed Governor
  Steven Corbett

  Steven was appointed on to the ASC on 15 June 2016, and is currently serving his second term of office as a DRET Appointed Governor. He used to attend the College when he took his GCSE's and A Levels and wanted to help once his daughters started to attend the college. Steven is a marketing professional in a private company and see things slightly differently to other governors. He tries to bring on board marketing thoughts to help either solve issues or to help leaders think about matters from different perspectives. Steven's interests include Music, Leicester City and he's been known to brew a beer or two.

• Dave Foord
  DRET Appointed Governor
  Dave Foord

  Dave was appointed a DRET Appointed Governor on 7 June 2020. He joined the ASC because he wanted to put something back into the school where his children attended. Dave is the link Governor for Pupil Premium and SEN. He is also the Owner and Director of an educational training and consultancy company, that specialises in online learning, blended learning, and effective use of Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs). Dave is formerly a teacher/lecturer and has experience of working at Senior Manger Level within a University. He has worked freelance since 2006 working with a wide variety of different education providers nationally and internationally. His interests and passions include Cricket, Mountaineering, Running and Cycling.

• Stuart Thompson
  DRET Appointed Governor
  Stuart Thompson

  Stuart was appointed a DRET Appointed Governor on 10 June 2021. He has enjoyed being a Governor previously but had to pause whilst his children were younger. Having settled in Loughborough Stuart was keen to help and support Charnwood College on their exciting journey moving forward, as well as further his own learning. Stuart is a Senior Deputy Head at a local Independent Secondary School and has worked in three different schools and has been a senior leader for over ten years. Stuart is also a school inspector within the sector. He continues to teach and enjoy music both as a performer and composer and divides any spare time either on the touchline supporting his eldest in his new football team or as a frustrated golfer.

• Pippa Davies
  DRET Appointed Governor
  Pippa Davies

  Pippa was appointed a DRET Appointed Governor on 25 April 2023. She works in the DRET central finance team, and has previously been a secondary music teacher, so felt that becoming a governor was the ‘missing link’ in her experience. Pippa also lives nearby and has been involved with Girlguiding in the local community for several years. Before working for DRET Pippa worked for a circus agency, providing freelance performers and artists for a wide range of events. She is really passionate about the arts and ensuring that all students have access to a broad curriculum. Pippa spends a lot of her spare time studying at the moment, but also enjoys music, reading, gardening and canal boating on her historic narrowboat.

• Rev. Tim Day
  DRET Appointed Governor (Vice Chair)
  Rev. Tim Day

  Tim joined Charnwood College’s ASC in June 2023 and has a passion to see all pupils develop in their school life to the best of their ability and in a wide and diverse range of subjects. Tim is also passionate about the role the local church can play in the local community by offering support and the use of the church building for community groups.

  Tim is a Church of England Minister in the Parish of Thorpe Acre with Dishley and has previously been a Governor in a number of schools in Leicester.

  Prior to becoming a Minister, Tim gained extensive industry experience in Engineering and IT, including process improvement, implementation of large projects and change management, skills support his governor role.

  Tim has a long time interest in Aviation, photography, and playing and watching sport, particularly cricket and football. Tim I loves to be out walking in the country with his wife and two dogs, and last year they completed the 100 miles of the Leicestershire round which was a great experience.

• Thomas Conway
  DRET Appointed Governor
  Thomas Conway

  Thomas became a Governor on 23 February 2024 as he was looking to try something new and give back to the local community.

  Thomas currently studies Veterinary Medicine at the University of Nottingham and is an Officer in the Army Reserve.

  Outside of work, Thomas is interested in history, particularly military history.

• Naomi Dungworth
  DRET Appointed Governor
  Naomi Dungworth

  Looking to apply her experience working in higher education into a voluntary role, Naomi joined the ASC in February 2025.

  Now semi-retired, Naomi was a Librarian at Loughborough University.

  In her spare time, Naomi enjoys the creative arts - particularly printmaking, pottery, music and dance.

• Jon Staines
  DRET Appointed Governor
  Jon Staines

  In July 2023, Jon became a Governor to give back to the community in meaningful way. Jon works for the Trust as a Financial Accountant, and outside of work enjoys a range of sport and has a passion for music and nature.

• Sally Gardner
  Staff Governor
  Sally Gardner

  Sally was appointed a Staff Governor on 24 January 2023, as she wanted to develop her knowledge and understanding of the role of the ASC and to lend her support. Sally has over 20 years of teaching experience. Prior to teaching she was employed as a Commercial Manager and Recruitment Consultant. Sally enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, visiting the cinema and theatre.

• Victoria Linthwaite
  Clerk
  Victoria Linthwaite

Current Governors 

Former Governors

 Below is a list of Governors that have served in the past 12 months. 

Contacting Us

The Governance Officer/Clerk for Charnwood College is Victoria Linthwaite. Victoria can be reached at governance@dret.co.uk. 

To contact a governor, please contact the Trust Governance Team by emailing governance@dret.co.uk.

If you are looking to contact a Governor to make a complaint or share a concern, please note that as per our Complaints Policy, governors do not investigate complaints at Stage 1 or Stage 2.  This enables them to be impartial should a complaint be escalated to a Stage 3 governor panel. If you wish to make a complaint, please complete this form and your complaint will be investigated accordingly.

Scheme of Delegation

Information about the David Ross Education Trust's scheme of delegation is available here.

Minutes of the Academy Scrutiny Committee

Should you wish to view a copy of the minutes of the ASC at this academy, please contact the Trust Governance Team (governance@dret.co.uk), who will be able to provide you with an electronic or paper copy of the minutes.

Are you interested in becoming an academy Governor?

We are looking for new governors to support our academies. Our governors work closely with their academies to support the Trust’s goal of broadening the horizons of young people through a world-class education, equipping our students with the skills and experiences to become their confident, academic best, no matter what.

If you have an interest in, and commitment to, improving education and would like to make a difference within your community, please register your interest in becoming a governor by completing our governor application form. If you have any questions about a governor’s role or responsibilities please contact us at governance@dret.co.uk or review our information pack below. 

march 2024 governor recruitment booklet.pdf

What is it like being a Governor with DRET?

governor testimonial booklet .pdf

 Emma Bennett 

Angela Watts 

Stephen Platten 

Garry Allen 

What training do Governors receive? 

We offer an extensive range of training opportunities. Take a look at what is on offer for the current academic year.