School Advisory Board

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:

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

Viv Thompson

Chair of School Advsiory Board
Nigel Lowson (1)

Nigel Lowson

Deputy Chair of School Advsiory Board
Mike Abraham Pic 768x782

Michael Abrahams

Nick Rees

James Thompson 7144

James Thompson

Chief Operating Officer
Jonathan Ritchie

Jonathan Ritchie

Executive Director of Property & Development
Vivian

Director of Education and Safeguarding - Viv Thompson

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.

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.

Director of Enhanced Learning - Nick Rees

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.

Chief Operating Officer – James Thompson

James gained his primary teaching degree from St Mary’s University College in Twickenham. He has since worked in independent schools in London, Bath, Sussex and Oxfordshire as a teacher and school leader. 

Before joining Chatsworth Schools, he was Head of Royal Russell Junior School in Croydon for ten years and Head of St Hugh’s Prep School in Oxfordshire. 

At Chatsworth Schools, James’ has a wide remit that looks to strategise and support all areas of the operational side of running our schools from HR, to admissions, to school development.

Jonathan Ritchie

Executive Director of Property & Development – Jonathan Ritchie

Jonathan has spent over 20 years working operationally in the private sector with a strong focus on compliance, estates, facilities and health & safety throughout sectors such as hospitality and property management.

Since joining Chatsworth Schools in September 2019, his specific areas of expertise and responsibility focus on all things buildings, capital works, catering, change management, compliance, contracts, estates, facilities, insurance, health & safety, maintenance, planning, people, procurement & project management.

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