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Governor Profiles

Mike Branscombe  Co-Chair of Local Governing Body

Mike has been a governor at St Andrew's since September 2018 when he was licensed as Vicar of St Andrew’s Church in Cobham. He is a regular visitor to the school for assembly on Thursdays and as governor with responsibility for Special Educational Needs and Safeguarding.  Mike is married to a Secondary school teacher who is a literacy and drama specialist, he has two children with Special Needs who attend Woking High School. He is active in many Cobham community organisations.

Mike has served as a parish priest since 1995 in both the United Kingdom and the United States. His work as a priest has always connected with education he has been chair of governors at a primary school in the West Midlands and has served as team chaplain to Clearwater High School American Football team in Florida.  Mike hopes that his wide experience will bring enthusiasm and commitment to serving the educational and spiritual needs of our students.  Mike serves on the Governor’s Quality of Learning sub-committee.

Linda Shaw Co-Chair of Local Governing Body

Linda is Vice Chair, Foundation Governor and a member of the following groups: Finance

Linda has been a Foundation Governor since January 2016. She lives with her husband and 3 children in Cobham. 

In her professional life Linda had worked for over 30 years in the City, latterly for a large global investment bank. 

Currently she volunteers running events in the fundraising department of Woking and Sam Beare hospice, is Treasurer of a local cricket club and on the committee for the Youth work at St Andrews Church. 

A regular attender for over 20 years at St Andrew's Church, Cobham, she is the Treasurer for the Youth work and has for many years taken an active role in the Kids on Sunday plans and activities. 

Linda enjoys walking her dog, watching cricket and spending time with family and friends. 

Moni Babatunde

I joined the governing board at St Andrew’s School in 2021. As a foundation governor, I am responsible for RE and Christian Distinctiveness; I value the importance of faith development in education and I fully support the development of the Christian character and ethos of St Andrew’s School.

I have lived in Cobham for over 20 years and attended St Andrew’s Church before being ordained as a minister in 2019. Though trained as a research chemist I worked in the property industry for many years. I have two grown up children and I enjoy reading, cooking and spending time with family and friends.

Rowan Putman

Rowan joined as Parent Governor in 2022. A devoted mother of three, two of her children currently attend St Andrew's. 

Actively involved with the school since 2016 when her eldest joined in Reception, over the years she has been Treasurer of the PTA, volunteered at many a school event, cleaned up outdoor areas, planted school gardens, has supported school trips and listened to children read.

She has spent over 20 years working in international sustainable development and with that has been involved with a variety of projects around the world in many sectors from public finance and investment to energy and climate change. She is currently Founding Director of Grow Consult, a consultancy dedicated to supporting small and medium-sized businesses to grow responsibly, sustainably, and holistically, integrating environmental, social and governance considerations into tailor-made business transformation programmes.  

Her passion is sustainability in all its forms, and what businesses can do to make the difference.

 

Jason Davies

Jason has lived in Cobham for the past 23 years. He is married to Kathryn and their two children were educated locally. He enjoys long walks with their three Cocker Spaniels, watching football and many sporting events as well as spending time with his family and friends. Jason joined as Trustee Governor in September 2023.


Jason is a Project Director working for a large International Engineering Business. He began his career with a small engineering company on a 3-year Apprenticeship. He is a Chartered Engineer and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers, and he has over 30 years’ experience covering a wide variety of Engineering projects in both private and public sectors working in the UK and Internationally. He currently leads multidisciplinary design teams on significantly important infrastructure projects.


“Having seen my own children flourish from education, I appreciate the importance of good schooling both academically and socially”.  It defines who you are throughout your life.

 

Pauline Manley

 

Pauline is a Director of strategy and marketing working for a large International Roofing Business. She has spent a considerable number of years running the commercial and sales teams of mid-sized businesses. Whilst living in Asia and South America she spent a number of years working with the British Council focused on work around cultural differences and its impact for students studying advanced degrees in mainly UK, Australia and Canada. 

Born in Liverpool she was greatly impacted by impact early education has on any child. Her mother trained to be a primary school teacher when she was in her late 30's and was passionate at ensuring good education was available for all, irrespective of city postcode. Pauline herself is a trained teacher as well as having her PGCE qualification and an MBA in business.


“I was taught from an early age that the greatest gift you can give your children is education. It is imperative that when we look at school, we judge the values, community and the education offered. This is what will shape your child and the adult they will become' 

 

Bas Jayaraman

 

Bas Jayaraman has a background in business working with an energy major across India, Singapore, South Africa, Argentina and the UK in senior leadership positions. He freelances as a cover teacher and is also an investor in Start-ups. He is passionate about education and keen to engage with schools to support positive outcomes for the students