Ian Smith

 

I am a Foundation Governor at Sandy Secondary School and am the current Chair of Governors , to which I utilise my knowledge and experience gained through employment in both private and public sectors. This includes working with the governing body and staff to provide benefits in all areas as well as improve working relationships with all public and private bodies. I have over twenty years experience in local government, both County and Unitary Councils with experience of dealing with all departments including highways, education and social care. Over three years on Blunham Parish Council, two as Chair and member of all committees. I have Private Sector experience including Construction, Highways and IT and previously was a School Governor of John Donne Lower School (Parish Council representative). My professional experience; full Member of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply, Chartered Member of the British Computer Society and Full Member of the Chartered Management Institute. With over thirty years experience in the IT in both public and private sectors covering all areas from operations to procurement and finance/budget control to people and contract management. Expert knowledge of Procurement, contract and supplier management identifying efficiencies and managing supplier performance at all levels including PFI contracts over £130m.

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Nigel Aldis

 

Nigel Aldis is in his second term as a governor of the school. He spent over thirty years in Education as a teacher working in all phases – primary, lower, middle, upper, secondary and in two special schools; one for MLD and the other for hearing impaired pupils. Employed mainly as a class teacher but also had specialist posts for mathematics and history.  He was previously the Chair of Governors at Maple Tree Lower from when it opened and subsequently at Sandye Place Middle School until it became an academy.  Nigel has been a Sandy Town Councillor since co-option in September 1999 and a Blunham Parish Council since election in May 2015. He was an elected member of Mid Beds and then Central Bedfordshire Councils from 2003-2015.  He is heavily involved in the local community holding committee positions of several groups.

 

 

Michelle Courtney

 

Michelle joined the Governing Body in 2018 as she wanted to be involved in the evolution of Sandy Upper School into Sandy Secondary School. Michelle qualified from Trinity College, Cambridge and is a veterinary surgeon working exclusively in the field of veterinary emergency and critical care. She has lived in Sandy with her family for many years and is a member of the Rotary Club of Sandy. Michelle’s driving ambition is to empower students of all abilities, backgrounds, and aspirations to release their full potential; she hopes to achieve this by working with the rest of the Governing Body to create an inspiring learning environment which enriches of all who attend Sandy Secondary School.

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Tim Gardiner

 

I am a proud dad to boys in Years 10 and 12 and have been a member of the Governing board of Sandy Secondary School since November 2020, being voted in as Vice-Chair in Oct 2021 and Chair in Sept 2023.  I am passionate about all children fulfilling their educational potential in a safe and fun environment, especially in the areas of STEM and the performing arts - and in Sandy Secondary School, we have a school the town should be proud of. In my day job, I am a freelance IT consultant, designing cloud-based systems for big retailers such as Sainsburys and Argos. In my spare time, my interests are music, cycling and musical theatre.

 

Tracey Hinson

 

Tracey has spent most of her working life at Sandy Upper School, joining in 1991, and she is the last remaining teacher who has worked under all of the Head Teachers the School has ever had.   Tracey has held a number of positions in the school; she is a Science teacher and has previously been Head of the Science department for more than 10 years.  She is now employed as an Assistant Principal with responsibility for the Sixth Form and Community.

 

Tracey has two daughters who both studied at Sandy Secondary School. Whenever Tracey plans or observes a lesson, evaluates strategy or employs a new member of staff she has one simple question; “Is this good enough for her child?” If the answer is “No” then something needs to change!   Sandy Secondary School has been a big part of Tracey’s life for a long time and she is very pleased to be serving as Staff Governor during the next exciting phase of the school’s development.

 

 

Mark Martin

 

My name is Mark Martin, I’m 45 years old and married with four children. We have lived in Sandy for the past 11 years. I’ve been working in the city since my early 20s. I started my first business MDM Consultants, a recruitment firm, celebrating its 14th year and currently re-inventing itself for an exciting new chapter. My second business MDM Compliance Systems was founded in 2013 to provide a Regtech SAAS based compliance monitoring solution for banks and asset managers which I successfully developed and sold in November 2019. This has freed up some time which I am looking to put to good use and for opportunities to give back locally. I was delighted to have worked with the school in recent times to help facilitate the building of new bike shelter. Exercise has always played a big part in my life and as an ex professional tennis player believe exercise plays a huge part in our mental wellbeing. For over 25 years I’ve had a passion for personal development and keen to play a part in helping the future of the young people in our community. My youngest son Harry is currently enjoying his second year at the school.

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Farah Stones

 

Farah has been a veterinary surgeon for 25 years. For the past 15 years she has been working at a veterinary practice in Upper Caldecote, where she is currently the Clinical Director. Farah has two children attending a local primary school and she became a governor at Moggerhanger Primary when her children started there. Farah has since been co-opted onto the board at Sandy Secondary School. As a parent Farah has a keen interest in education and enjoys being able to make some contribution to support the school in their mission to provide all their students with the ability to achieve their full potential.

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Ceri Rose

 

I have recently been elected as Parent Governor at Sandy Secondary School.  I have 5 years of Executive Board, Governance and Charity experience.  I work in Marketing and Communications for The Open University, and I have been an executive board member for the last 5 years, previously with the NHS.  I previously served as Vice Chair of Potton Federation Schools, on the governing body for 4 years, to support the mission of 'every child can'.  During this time, I chaired the Standards Committee with oversight of the school improvement plan and took part in a successful 'Good' Ofsted inspection.  I attended regular training from Central Bedfordshire Council.  I can support with oversight on areas such as communications handling, digital, finances, audit, safeguarding and health and safety (having worked in a regulated environment).

 

 

Ben Truppin

 

Hi there, my name is Ben Truppin and I’m a recent addition to the Governing Body at Sandy Secondary School, sitting on the Standards Committee.  My wife, children and I are happily settled in Sandy having moved here 6 years ago with all our kids attending a local primary school before the eldest started at Sandy Secondary School in September 2020.  My interest in governor matters is firmly seated in my desire to support the school in driving the educational and pastoral outcomes for all children and ensuring it is a school we can continue to be proud of.  Professionally, I hold a directorship at a management consultancy, where I focus on helping large organisations improve their digital customer experiences. 

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Andy King 

 

I joined the Governing body in July 2022.  I've been a parent-governor at Maple Tree Primary school since 2017, recently becoming co-chair. My eldest child attends Sandy Secondary School and I will have a second child joining in 2023. I am passionate about the school curriculum and how we equip our children with the skills they'll need to thrive in today's modern economy, whilst still having a rounded education. I work at Tesco in WGC as a Senior Product Manager, a role that has taken me across Europe and Asia in the 26 years I've worked there. In my spare time I'm a Cub Scout leader, looking after 1st Sandy Saxon Cub Pack.  I am also a keen karate student.  

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Sue Bell 

 

A retired teacher, Sue has lived in Sandy for over 30 years, and worked at several local schools, including Sandy Secondary (when it was an upper school) and Sandye Place. She now works part-time for Cambridge International Examinations. Prior to teaching, Sue worked for Hertfordshire Police and in residential social work and she also has experience in governorship. Sue joined the Governing Body in June 2023, having recently become a Central Bedfordshire Councilor and is also an active member of St. Swithun’s Church community, Sandy Community Choir, Ampthill Town Band and Quintessential Brass. She is looking forward to being part of a team clearly dedicated to driving the school forward.

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