Governors

Chatsworth Schools is conscious that they must follow the Department of Education’s Governance Handbook of February 2017, with their six key features that decide all effective governance:

Together with the Chatsworth management team, the Governors offer support to fulfil these roles. Through regular visits to schools Governors assist in compliance across policies and procedures.

  • Strategic Leadership
  • Structures
  • Accountability
  • People
  • Evaluation
  • Compliance Evaluation

Governors assist in the appraisals of Heads, retain an objectivity in cases of complaint or performance and generally provide critical friendship to the Management Team.

Vivienne Thompson Chatsworth Schools

Viv Thompson

Chair of Governors
Nigel Lowson (1)

Nigel Lowson

Deputy Chair of Governors
Mr Andrew Hammond

Andrew Hammond

Mike Abraham Pic 768x782

Michael Abrahams

Nick Rees

Andrew Greenway

OUR CONTACT DETAILS

Crimea Office
Great Tew Estate
Oxon
OX7 4AH UK

+44 (0) 1608 525 030

office@chatsworthschools.com

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Vivian

Director of Early Years and Safeguarding - Viv Thompson

5+ years with Chatsworth Schools

Viv has class taught all ages from 2 to 8 in independent schools around the UK, managed and opened school-based early years and nursery departments; most recently completing seven years as Headmistress for The Minors Nursery School for the Alpha Plus Group before joining Chatsworth Schools.

She is vastly experienced within the EYFS and a passionate advocate for value of a solid foundation in the crucial younger years. Viv gained her BA Hons QTS in Education from Surrey University. Alongside leading the EYFS teams across the group, Viv has the vital role of group Safeguarding lead; a part of education that is of the highest importance to Chatsworth Schools – ensuring our children are safe.

Nigel Lowson (1)

Nigel Lowson

Deputy Chair of Governors

After Oakham School I went to Durham University to study Geography and then on to Bath to complete my PGCE. Six years teaching at Christ College Brecon were followed by six years at Sherborne School and then the same time as Head of Department at Tonbridge School. Then I enjoyed 18 years as Deputy Head at RGS Worcester where I was in charge of pastoral care and the co-curricular programme. I was also an examiner for Geography GCSE and A levels as well as being an ISI inspector. Why teaching and why pastoral care? Simple – my love of people, my deep curiosity in human behaviour, my desire to help people to become more balanced, more content and more fulfilled. I suppose I’m a little nosey as well! After retiring early I moved with my wife to Devon in 2014 and seem to have been almost as busy as ever! My field is emotional well-being, I work with individuals, families as well as corporates.

Andrew Hammond

Director of Professional Development

Andrew has worked in independent and maintained schools for over twenty-five years, serving as a Head of English and Drama, Housemaster, Director of Studies, Deputy Head Academic and then as Headteacher in two primary schools and a prep school. Most recently he served for three years as Headteacher of Chatsworth Schools’ founding school, Hall School Wimbledon, prior to which he was Senior Director of Learning at Discovery Education, specialising in professional development.

A prolific author, Andrew and has written over thirty titles for a range of educational and trade publishers and is a regular contributor to educational magazines, newspapers and podcasts. He has delivered CPD in over 150 schools and has keynoted at many educational conferences in the UK, China, US and UAE. He has served as an ISEB Common Entrance setter and English Subject Leader for IAPS. He is a former member of ISA Executive Council.

Andrew holds a BA (Hons) QTS from Bath Spa University and an MA from King’s College London.

Mike Abraham Pic 768x782

Michael Abrahams

I have enjoyed a long and highly successful career in independent education. After 25 years of Headship in 5 very different schools, I became an Educational Consultant in 2010. Since then I have worked for TES and RSAcademics recruiting Heads and over the last 10+ years have completed 90 leadership recruitment processes. I also advise schools on recruitment processes, mentoring and appraisal, inspection compliance and marketing.

I am married to Berony, the former managing director of Swarco UK. We have three children and a very noisy Patterdale Terrier. A Welshman from the land of dragons by birth, I was brought up in Chester but now live near Kirkby Stephen in East Cumbria. I love nothing better than walking the fells and I have completed a number of long-distance walks.

Nick Rees

Director of Enhanced Learning

I have lived and was educated in the UK, Singapore and West Germany. I obtained my first degree and PGCE both at Portsmouth. I started teaching in the early 1980s at a junior school in Bath moving after two years to an independent prep school. 

In 1987, having taught for a brief period in a British Forces school in Germany I returned to the UK and started teaching at Fairley House School where my interest in SpLD developed. In 2005 I was appointed Head of Abingdon House School, a new school for pupils with SpLD aged 4-13 in London. 

I retired (very early!!!) from headship in July 2013 and have since worked as an independent educational consultant with roles such as being part of DLB Leadership Associates Ltd, specialists in Leadership Development & Change Management and as an Associate Consultant to TES Prime.

Andrew Greenway
Director of Information

3+ years with Chatsworth Schools

Andrew studied Electronic Engineering at Liverpool University before joining the Royal Air Force as a Communication-Electronics Officer. Whilst in the military he designed, developed, and deployed engineering solutions around the world.

Following the command of a military technical training school, his enthusiasm for teaching led him to attain a PGCE with an ICT specialism and appointments in prep schools across the country. 

He has implemented new technology, learning platforms and classroom developments across all age groups. Andrew is an ISI inspector and plays a key role in the inspection preparation process for all our Chatsworth Schools.

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