Governor Profiles

Nicola Fowler

Co-Opted Governor - Chair of Governors

I was voted onto the Governing Body of St Osmund’s Middle School as a Parent Governor in May 2018 and when my first term ended in May 2002, I became a Co-Opted Governor. I am the Safeguarding lead Governor and in September 2022 I also took on the role of Vice-Chair. From September 2023 I have taken on the role of Chair.

My day job is as the manager of Dorset Council’s Financial Assessment Team, and I have been employed in Adult and Community Services for 30 years. My role also involves protecting vulnerable adults who may be being financially abused and being their voice when they may no longer be able to make their own voices heard. My role as Safeguarding lead Governor means that I take an active interest in ensuring the safety of our pupils and providing the necessary challenge and questioning of our safeguarding processes and poli-cies, to ensure that first and foremost, our children are safe at St Osmunds, that they always have a voice, and that their voices are heard and acted upon. Outside of work I have a passion for photography, and you may see my work around school when you visit.

I thought that once my son left St Osmunds in 2020 I would end my Governor role, but the school’s core Chris-tian values of Hope, Community, Respect and Love and the whole school ethos of standing together and sup-porting one another, especially through some of the toughest years any of us have experienced, have meant that I want to continue to be part of this incredible school.


Emily White

Foundation Governor – Vice Chair

I am a foundation governor and have now moved into the position of Vice Chair from Chair.

I have two children at primary school age and work for ‘Muntsy’s; a local community day service based on Portland, for adults with additional needs.

I am originally from Dorchester and went to school here. In my working life prior to starting a family I worked in Hospitality, Office management and Bookkeeping as well as running my own B&B for 5 years. I have strengths in finance and leadership. After holding the Chair’s role for a number of years I am looking forward to supporting our new Chair, Nicola Fowler.

Since joining the governing body 5 years ago I have become deeply committed to Ossie’s and supporting the leaders of the school to achieve our recent Ofsted ‘Good’. I feel strongly about the benefits to be found in our local community and meeting people across Dorset, making connections.

Moira Farley

Foundation Governor

I am a Foundation Governor and was appointed in October 2017. Having worked for an oil company previously, I am very keen on health and safety and make regular visits to school in this capacity.

Prior to my retirement I ran the UK Schools Programme for BP, this involved training staff to go into to schools to run activities, offering work experience and short apprenticeships to students and to liaise with educational institutions of all kinds. I have been a governor at a number of schools and was in fact one of the first ever parent governors when my youngest son was 7 years old. I believe that education is one of the most important things any parent or school can offer a child and find St. Osmund’s truly Christian ethos and innovation makes it a very special place for our students and staff.

Mrs Lesley Richardson

Foundation Governor

I added my name to a website to volunteer in local schools and was delighted when St Osmund’s asked me to be a governor because I’d heard great things about its community ethos.

I’m a qualified secondary English teacher so I know first hand the rewards and challenges of the job. I believe school not only helps pupils with academic success but also gives them those essential life skills like confidence, teamwork, leadership and resilience.

I used to be a national news reporter for the Press Association and, until recently, I worked as a senior communications manager at the Department for Education helping improve social mobility for young people in disadvantaged parts of England. During the pandemic, it was all hands on deck and I also helped to protect vulnerable children and support the Further Education sector to stay open safely.

I’m now a media trainer for the RNLI – the charity that saves lives at sea – making sure our volunteers and staff can promote our safety messages and raise vital funds.

As a governor I’m focused on pupil premium pupils, and have a particular interest in English and social mobility. Overall, I want to support and challenge our teachers to be the best they can because there is no better way to improve outcomes for all young people than through excellent teaching. I also really enjoy being part of the wonderful St Osmund’s school community.

Mr Pieter Mostert

Co-Opted Governor

PMostert@stosmunds.dorset.sch.uk

Early 2022 I joined the board of governors. Dorchester is the habitat of a new life for me. Before moving to Dorset (early 2020) we lived in South-Africa and before that I had a Dutch life. At home we speak Afrikaans and on Wednesday mornings I speak German.

I have been in education all my life and worked at all levels of education, from kindergarten to neurologists. My university training is in philosophy, and soon afterwards I started organising philosophical conversations with pupils and with (young) adults. Within the Youth Justice Service, I work as a member of a community panel. We have regular conversations with for young offenders who have received a so-called referral order.

I have taught in schools in quite a few different countries. What I have learned is that “systems” vary from country to country, but once inside a school – no matter where – the actual teaching feels familiar.

From my mother, a primary-school teacher and a very liberal catholic, I learned that one should never lose faith in a child, although – she sotto voce added – [quote] “even the Holy Spirit has his moments of despair”.

Mrs Juliet Viney

Parent Governor

jviney@stosmunds.dorset.sch.uk

I became a parent governor in September 2022. I love what St. Osmund’s does for children, for their education and the opportunities it gives them. I am passionate about all children being able to fulfil their full potential, and for the importance of community. I have one child in year 6, and two in year 4 at St Mary’s Catholic First School.

I am an Ossie myself, having grown up in Dorchester. A year ago, we moved from Bristol where I was a parent volunteer with Bristol City Council, chairing a steering group of teachers, speech therapists and hospital staff to improve services for children with sensory needs. One of my children is deaf and using my and other parents’ experiences, I helped the steering group to improve services for children. I held professionals to account to improve childrens’ outcomes and wellbeing. I now represent parents for a similar group in Dorset. I have been a parent governor before at my childrens' previous primary school in Bristol where I enjoyed giving the parent's perspective on the needs of families, working especially with the Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator. I set up and ran Bristol Deaf Children’s Society organising events to bring families together.

For over twenty years, I have been employed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. I work as a government policy advisor, helping to protect and improve nature and the environment alongside charities and Local Authorities.

In my role as a governor at Ossie's I will help the school to be the best that it can be for all our children. I am always happy to talk with parents, carers and families to ensure everyone’s voice is heard.

Ms Moyra Hadley

Co-Opted Governor

mhadley@stosmunds.dorset.sch.uk

I am thrilled to be a co-opted governor at St. Osmund's CE Middle School. My partner and I have recently moved to Dorset having lived overseas for many years working in international education and most recently in London.

I am committed to providing a quality education for students in partnership with parents and staff. I have been a science teacher, a principal and a head of school in several international schools in Indonesia, Zambia, Egypt, Germany and Sri Lanka. On my return to the UK, I was the headteacher of an International Baccalaureate School serving 3 to 18-year-olds in Surrey. I have also inspected schools both in the UK and in the Middle East and represented British education in the European Union. Most recently I have served as a consultant to the World Bank, the United Nations and the European Union in the Republic of Georgia to improve education and establish an international school.

I look forward to working with the St. Osmund's school community.

Mr Kevin Whitchurch

Foundation Governor

I became a Foundation Governor in May 2023. I’ve spent my working life in magazines and newspapers, firstly as an editor and then as a publisher. I’ve also worked in mergers & acquisitions, company development, strategy and product creation - all in media. I’m still involved, owning and publishing a quarterly sports magazine. Additionally, I act as a mentor via the International Magazine Centre. In my spare time, I sing in a few choirs (badly) and go running (really badly). I’m looking forward to helping Ossie’s achieve even greater things.

Mrs Susan Romy

Foundation Governor

I am excited to be selected as a foundation governor at St.Osmunds CE Middle School. I have lived in Dorchester for over 20 years and work as a senior nurse at Dorset County Hospital.  My husband also works in the hospital and is an active member of the community. I have two older daughters who completed their schooling in Dorchester and are now at university, therefore I'm familiar with students educational and developmental needs.
 
In the past I have experience in playing a lead role to support nurses for their rights and welfare. Health, safety and wellbeing is my top priority, and I will always work towards improvement in this field. Alongside my nursing career, I have taken up roles to support the community including voluntarily campaigning for organ and stem cell donation and helping new overseas nurses to settle in Dorchester. I am also an active member of St. Mary's Church and participate in community clubs to support the public.
 
I have enjoyed getting to know the excellent staff at school and admired their dedication and professionalism. I believe that every child deserves access to high quality learning experience therefore I am committed to support school in fostering an atmosphere of academic excellence as well as personal development. I am also dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion within the school community which will prepare pupils for success in a multicultural society. I look forward to becoming part of the team and ensuring the success of St.Osmunds school for the future."