Governor Profiles
Steph Ball
Background: I grew up in a small town in Wiltshire, but have been enthusiastically Bristolian since 1999. I have amazing grown up children, a wonderful, noisy, extended family and a very busy house, which I love. I enjoy reading, various crafty hobbies and walking with my two dogs.
I studied counselling and psychology as a mature student.
Relevant Experience: I have spent my entire working life in social care and support roles. I like to think that I have been an ally and an advocate in that time.
Kristy Bowers
Role on Governing Body: Co-opted Governor since May 2022.
Background: I’m a solicitor by training but have spent the last 8 years working in schools. I enjoy early morning workouts, social history, travelling and reading.
I have lived in the area with my family for the past 20 years.
Education and Employment: I went to school in Wiltshire, studied History and American Studies at the University of Birmingham and then moved to Bristol in 2000 to complete my Post Graduate Diploma in Law and then my Legal Practice Course.
I qualified as a solicitor in a large local firm in 2003, specialising in Real Estate. I practiced for a number of years before having children and a career break.
In 2014 I started working in the school office of a local primary school and in 2018 moved to work in a larger all-through school that provides education for children aged from 4 to 18. I work closely with the Senior Leadership Team - monitoring and auditing compliance, CPD and other data as well as forming and implementing both mid- and longer-term strategies.
Relevant Experience: I’ve always been logical and thorough and enjoy working as part of a multi-disciplinary team - either collaborating to formulate strategy, thinking critically to deliver solutions or working constructively to suggest improvements. From 2014 to 2018 I was a Governor at another local school.
Particular Interest in Governing Body: I currently sit on the Safeguarding & Wellbeing Group.
Ally Churchill
Role on Governing Body: Staff Governor since March 2023.
Background: I have been working at Kingsweston School for the past 12 years.
Education and Employment: I have worked in different roles including Teaching Assistant (TA), Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) and more recently Pupil Support Mentor. I am a licenced Thrive practitioner and have a passion for all things pastoral.
Relevant Experience: As a Kingsweston School staff member, I have a good understanding of the school, education and the needs of the children and families we serve.
Particular Interest in Governing Body: I currently sit on the Curriculum Group.
Caroline Jenkins - Vice Chair of the Governing Body
Role on the Governing Body: Co-opted Governor since July 2024 and Vice Chair of the Governing Body.
Background: TBC.
Education and Employment: TBC.
Relevant Experience: TBC.
Particular Interest in Governing Body: I am the named Safeguarding Governor and Lead of the Staff Wellbeing group. I am also a member of the Appraisal of the Executive Headteacher Panel and the named Governor for Governor
Development & Training.
Jo Penny
Role on Governing Body: Co-opted Governor since March 2023.
Background: I am a Primary school teacher in a large co-educational school in Clifton. I enjoy weekends spent visiting family in Cornwall and making the most of being by the sea. I am a keen traveller and animal lover.
Education and Employment: I went to school in Taunton and studied for my degree in Primary Education in Canterbury. I moved to Bristol to start my teaching career in 2007. In December 2010, I spent 19 months travelling around New Zealand, Fiji and Australia and I worked as an au-pair in Sydney for 13 months, where I also volunteered at the local Primary school. I returned to Bristol, and Primary school teaching, in September 2012.
Relevant Experience: I have 14 years teaching experience.
Particular Interest in Governing Body: I currently sit on the Curriculum Group. I am also Named Governor for Children in Care (CiC).
Emma Richards
Role on Governing Body: Ex-officio by virtue of being Headteacher of Claremont School since September 2018 and from 2023, the Executive Headteacher of Claremont and Kingsweston Schools Federation.
Background: I am married with 4 teenage children. We live in a village near Stroud, Gloucestershire. I like to spend free time with my family, pets and friends, and getting outdoors when possible, into the Cotswold countryside.
Education and Employment: I come from Chepstow, and went to Bath for university (Single Honours History degree) and then the University of the West of England (UWE) for my postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE) (Secondary History). I worked in mainstream Secondary schools in Bristol and Bath until 1999 when I started working in a special educational needs and disability (SEND) school in Stroud. I have worked within SEND since then, in a range of different settings, with a range of different student needs.
Relevant Experience: Teaching experience of 23 years, SEND Education background of 21 years, previous experience as Staff Governor at a SEND school for 5 years, member of playgroup Committee for 2 years, Trustee member of local charity for 7 years.
Particular Interest in Governing Body: I currently sit on the Curriculum, Finance, Leadership & Management and the Safeguarding & Wellbeing Groups.
Maureen Salter - Chair of the Governing Body
Role on Governing Body: Co-Opted Governor (and also formerly the Local Authority nominated Governor) since July 2018 and Chair of the Governing Body.
Background: I am a local, having lived in Bristol all my life! I am married with very grown-up children and 2 amazing grandchildren who live in Warwick and visit regularly. I spend much time in my garden growing flowers and veggies...when the winter drives me inside, I love to sew, mainly flowers!! I also enjoy walking and travel, both abroad and in the UK.
Education and Employment: Educated in the Direct Grant system (long defunct!) I left school at 16 and held a variety of clerical jobs until the late 1970s when I took a career break to raise my kids.
In the late 1980s I embarked on my undergrad degree at what is now the University of the West of England (UWE) and after I graduated, I spent the next 19 years teaching - in a mainstream Primary and then in social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) Special. Absolutely the best years of my working life, I retired in 2010.
Relevant Experience: I was Staff Governor at both the school I taught in as well as a Co-opted Governor at another Bristol Special school, including a year as Chair. I have a specific interest in both the curriculum, how it is constructed and delivered and, in the attitudes, and behaviours of pupils and how this impacts learning. I remain committed to the provision of quality education for all pupils.
Particular Interest in Governing Body: I currently sit on the Curriculum, Leadership & Management and the Safeguarding & Wellbeing Groups.
I am also a member of the Appraisal of the Executive Headteacher Panel and Named Governor for Special Educational Needs & Disability (SEND).
Nick Sampson
Role on Governing Body: Co-opted Governor (and also formerly a Parent Governor) since July 2019.
Background: I have lived in Bristol since 1996 and am married with two daughters, one of whom has autism. I enjoy films, reading and the outdoors – walking, cycling, and the occasional wild swim!
Education and Employment: I went to school in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, and completed a BEng degree in Electronic Engineering at Sheffield University. I work as a technical manager in the telecommunications industry and am involved at a governance level in several international organisations developing future telecommunications technology and services.
Relevant Experience: My job includes setting strategy and budgets, and resource and project management. I have experience of governance, including Chair roles, at various levels in different types of organisations. Aa a parent of a daughter who has special educational needs, I have experience of the SEND system and processes.
Particular Interest in the Governor Body: I currently sit on the Finance Group. I am also Named Governor for Careers and for Governor Development & Training.
Jamie Sawyer-Merchant
Background: I am from Bristol and moved back here in 2020 after 15 years living and working in Cambridge, Madrid, Washington DC, Sydney and London. I live in Henleaze with my husband and our unruly Irish Setter, Holly.
Education and Employment: I went to school in Bristol before studying law at university. I qualified as a solicitor in financial dispute resolution and investigations at a law firm in London, then moved to an environmental law charity working on climate change and finance, and I now work at an independent public body that protects the environment by holding government and other public authorities to account.
Relevant Experience: I have experience in oversight, governance processes and strategy development through my work. I have worked on a voluntary basis with children and young people and I am committed to helping students achieve to their fullest potential.
Moira Stephens
Role on the Governing Body: Co-opted Governor since May 2023.
Background: I have five children and have lived in Bristol all my life. I was a foster carer and short-break provider for 25 years in Bristol. I enjoy volunteering with Flamingo Chicks Dance School and have a love of dancing to keep myself fit. My hobby is chasing hot air balloons for Virgin Balloons around the southwest of England during the spring and summer months.
Education and Employment: I attended school in South Gloucestershire and went on to college in the mid-80s. I’ve worked in special educational needs and disability (SEND) schools since then. During my time in education, I have broadened my SEND knowledge at the university level, completing various specialist courses and a master’s in Educational Assistive Technology.
I am also an expert witness for a disability and assistive technology consultancy, holding a Cardiff University Expert Witness certificate. I work closely with a team of consultants providing reports for the High Courts of London for medical negligence cases.
Relevant Experience: I have over 34 years’ experience working in the field of SEND education. My specialist areas and qualifications are in the fields of cerebral palsy with profound and multiple sensory impairments, learning difficulties, and alternative and augmentative communication. I have a keen interest in digital technology, assistive technology, and web design.
Particular Interest in Governing Body: I currently sit on the Curriculum Group. I am also Named Governor for E-Safety.
Barry Trahar
Role on Governing Body: Local Authority Nominated Governor since August 2008.
Background: Australian by birth, now of joint British/Australian nationality. I have lived in the UK since 1975 and in Bristol since 1978.
Education and Employment: Educated in Australia and I have a Diploma in Catering & Hotel Management. I am a fellow of the UK’s Institute of Hospitality. I was responsible for the management of the University of Bristol’s catering and residential services (13 departments) until my retirement in 2010. I am a Magistrate, sitting in both the Criminal and Family Courts.
My hobbies and interests include travel, walking, politics, theatre, wine and food, and voluntary work. I am also a Governor at Redland Green School.
Relevant Experience: As a Local Authority Nominated Governor, my original appointment to Claremont School was by political party (the Labour Party) and so not for any educational experience, but my 28 years at the University gave me a significant understanding of the broad political aspects relating to education.
My most relevant experience relates to financial, budgetary and staff management, as I managed a multi-million-pound budget at the University and had responsibility for approximately 600 staff.
Particular Interest in Governing Body: I currently sit on the Finance Group. I am also a member of the Appraisal of the Executive Headteacher Panel.
Elizabeth Jahn - Clerk to the Governors 
Role on Governing Body: Clerk to the Governors since May 2009.
Education and Employment: I attended Filton College to study Business & Management Studies including Managerial Accountancy, Public Administration, Business Administration, Organisation in its Environment, People & Communication, Secretarial Skills I & II. I am also employed as a Clerk at several other schools and Trusts within and outside of Bristol as well as Clerk to Trustees of 2 charity organisations serving the community.
I have been a foster parent since April 2018 and from then until November 2023, together with my husband, we have looked after 31 children, 2 of which, now live with us as part of our family under a Special Guardianship Order. Together with my husband, who is from the Czech Republic, I am also a property owner landlord in Weston-Super-Mare where we live having moved from Bristol in 2017.
Relevant Experience: I have been a Clerk since 2006 for a large number of different schools/educational provisions from nursery to Post 16; I also work for several special schools/alternative provisions, and therefore, I bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to support Governors carry out their roles and responsibilities.
I also have experience of working as a legal secretary and employing staff within 2 business jointly owned with my husband; as well as being a former professional ice skater having spent 12 years touring the world in the multi-million-dollar ice show, Holiday on Ice where I met my husband who is a former Czech Champion! I have ice skated alongside World and Olympic champions including Bristol’s own Robin Cousins, and occasionally non-skating artists such as Billy Ocean, Vanessa Mae and Chris de Burgh.
Particular Interest in Governing Body: The role of Clerk is to ensure that the Governing Body follows agreed and proper procedures, operates within its powers and the business of the Governing Body is conducted smoothly and efficiently. The Clerk has a pivotal role in managing the business of the Governing Body and in making sure the Governing Body fulfils its responsibilities and adds value to the process of governance. My work includes preparing Agendas, taking and distributing Minutes of meetings, and providing effective administrative support, procedural and legislative advice to the Governing Body.